Anxious wait as hurlers book a final spot

Monaghan 1-13 Louth 1-13

LOUTH edged into the Division 3A final and a promotion decider with Warwickshire in the most dramatic of circumstances in Castleblayney on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds had to avoid defeat and hope other results went their way, but they couldn’t have cut it any finer in pipping Tyrone to second spot on the headto-head rule.

Warwickshire held up their end of the bargain by beating Roscommon, but there were some anxiety for the Louth camp as they waited for that result to filter through on social media.

From their point of view the Reds simply had to avoid defeat against Monaghan and Philip O’Brien’s men delivered - but only just.

They were good enough and created sufficient opportunities to win the game, but there was still palpable relief when the final whistle arrived.

In the circumstances a draw was as good as a win as they still needed a favour from Warwickshire and it was clear from the start that it would go right to the wire.

The Reds led by 0-11 to 1-6 at the break, but despite being reduced to 14 men before the break, Monaghan made the better start to the second period to edge in front.

But Niall Arthur, arguably the find of the season at any grade, settled Wee County nerves with a 50th minute goal for the Reds.

That set up a nervy finale, but Louth managed to edge in front before Niall Garland rescued a point for the Farney men at the death. MONAGHAN: Patrick Bermingham; Jamie Guinan, Kevin Crawley, Brian Flanagan; Niall Garland 0-3, Patrick Finnegan, Martin Murphy; Mark Treanor 1-0, Peter Treanor; Fergal Rafter 0-8f, Aaron Kenny, Shane McNally; Cormac McNally 0-1, Eamonn Collins, Brian McGuigan 0-1. Subs: Pádraic McGahon, Conor Boyle

LOUTH: Stephen Hackett; Mark Wallace, Mike Lyons, Conor Matthews; Stephen Kettle, Ronan Byrne 0-2f, Andrew McCrave; Donal Ryan, Mark Molloy 0-1; Niall Arthur 1-8 (4f), Gerry Arthur, Gerard Smyth 0-1; Seaghan Conneely, Shane Callan 0-1, Paddy Lynch.