Louth ‘Kielt’ by six-day turnaround in Owenbeg
LOUTH’S brave mission to defy the dreaded six-day turnaround found no mercy in the picturesque surroundings of Owenbeg on Saturday.
Derry were as unforgiving of the Red’s plight as the big wigs in the corridors of power at Croke Park, kicking for home in the final quarter when their opponents looked out on their feet.
We will never conclusively know if a longer run-in would have altered the result, but Colin Kelly’s side started brightly, led from the 15th minute to 50th and up to that point looked more than capable of causing an upset.
However, in the final 20 minutes they leaked 1-9, mustering just 1-2 in reply.
You didn’t need a hi-tech fitness bra or fancy software to diagnose the physical and emotional fatigue in the visiting camp.
They simply ran out of steam and Derry showed them a clean pair of predators.
It emerged in the build-up to the game that Louth chiefs requested to have the game put back a week, but were rebuffed by the Central CCC on the grounds that a draw and replay could have a knock-on effect on the ensuing fixtures.
Fair enough, but how did we arrive here in the first place?
Was it Leinster Council’s fault for taking too long to reach the semi-final stage of their championship? Afterall, Meath or Dublin will face the same six-day farce next week.
Possibly. But even if the provincial body were a little tardy, surely someone in the CCCC is responsible for looking at the bigger picture. If so, it’s safe to assume they took their eye off the ball here.
Why do they even need to specify ‘A’ and B’ sides of the draw so early anyway? Why not wait until the opening rounds are played in the provinces and the impact of replays has been assessed and then divide up the draw?
Regardless of where the blame lies, when situations like this occur, it’s difficult to argue with Colin Kelly’s assertion that the GAA are only paying lip service to player welfare.
To their credit, and despite their sense of injustice, the Louth players kept the good side out for long periods on Saturday.
In stark contrast to their limp exit from the championship last summer, they signed off on 2016 with their heads high.
The first-half was poor and error-ridden and at times, supporters would have been forgiven for letting their gaze wander to the stunning mountain views on the horizon
Louth kicked six wides and dropped countless shots short to veteran goalkeeper Michael Conlan, who was forced back into action for the first time since 2011 due to an Oak Leaf injury crisis.
He could do nothing about Jim McEneaney’s 15th minute penalty, however, which the Geraldines’ mad won himself when attenpting to connect with a Conor Grimes centre.
The goal handed Louth a 1-2 to 0-2 lead and while Derry eventually closed the gap with points from Mark Lynch, Emmet McGuckin and Christopher Bradley, they found it difficult to keep the Louth attack in check, even with 13 men behind the ball at times.
Derry did create goal chances with Mark Lynch drawing a fine stop from Craig Lynch after just 12 seconds, McGuckin blazing over the bar, and Bradley firing wide from a narrow enough angle and then straight at Craig Lynch moments later.
The Louth goal was living a charmed life, but they were a threat themselves and Declan Byrne edged them back in front in the 31st minute, 1-3 to 0-5.
Derry would draw level again through James Kielt, but James Califf floated over two late frees to open a two-point gap and although Kielt pulled one back, the Reds retired with a 1-5 to 0-7 lead at the interval.
The early second-half exchanges continued in the same vein, with Mark Lynch levelling it up again only for Conor Grimes and Declan Byrne to restore a two-point cushion with a couple of wonderful long-range efforts.
Kielt made it a one-point game again and Derry gave a quick glimpse of what was to come with three points in as many minutes, two more from Kielt, and one from McGuckin to take the lead for the first time since the 10th minute, 0-12 to 1-7.
The Derry runners were starting to make serious inroads by that stage and tired Louth defenders inevitably started to cough up frees, which Kielt lapped up.
He converted two more, which were followed by a Bradley point to make it 0-15 to 1-7 with 10 minutes of normal-time remaining.
Louth attacks were sporadic by that stage, but they grabbed a lifeline when Grimes embarked ona a powerful run from the right and squared to Byrne, who kept his cool well to sidestep Conlan and fire to the roof of the net.
A point from Byrne then reduced the gap to the minimum, 0-15 to 2-8, but again Derry found another gear.
Kielt converted yet another free and then found the top corner with an exquisite penalty after Craig Lynch hauled down Danny Heavron.
Califf kept Louth’s slim hopes alive with his fourth free of the evening, but the Reds looked out on their feet and subs Niall Toner and Emmet Bradley put six between the sides, before McEneaney pulled back a consolation in the dying seconds.
It was a cruel end to a gruelling week for the Louth players, but when the dust settles on their 2016 campaign they will have plenty to be satisfied about.
A big championship upset eluded them, but the primary goal of promotion was achieved with the added bonus of a league title.
Departing the championship in June is never nice, but they head for Division 3 in 2017 with the knowledge that they are capable of mixing it with teams like Derry and Meath, who will still be residing a tier above them next season. DERRY: Michael Conlan; Gareth McKinless, Ciaran Mullan, Karl McKaigue; Neil Forester, Brendan Rogers, Liam McGoldrick; Conor McAtamney, Niall Holly; Danny Heavron, Christopher Bradley 0-3, Eoghan Brown; James Kielt 1-9 (1-0 pen, 6f), Emmett McGuckin 0-2, Mark Lynch 0-2f. Subs: Kevin Johnston for L McGoldrick (41), Niall Loughlin for E Brown (41), Niall Toner 0-1 for M Lynch (49), Emmett Bradley 0-1 for N Holly (51), Oisin Duffy for C Mullan (63), Shane Heavron for E McGuckin (69).
LOUTH: Craig Lynch; Pádraig Rath, Patrick Reilly, John Bingham; Derek Maguire, Darren McMahon, Anthony Williams; James Stewart, James Califf 0-4f; Declan Byrne 1-3, Jim McEneaney 1-1 (1-0 pen), Ruairi Moore; Eoghan Lafferty, Conor Grimes 0-1, Ryan Burns 0-1f. Subs: Gerard McSorley for J McEneaney (41), Adrian Reid for R Moore (46), Bevan Duffy for J Stewart (51), Jim McEneaney for R Burns (64).
REFEREE: Marty Duffy (Sligo)