Shield success for Louth

GERRY REILLY FT LOUTH LONGFORD 1-18 2-6

A TERRIFIC second half display saw Louth powering to victory over Longford in the Gerry Reilly Leinster U16 FT Plate Final played in Millbrook, Oldcastle on Saturday evening

Wind and rain conditions made it difficult but in spite of that both teams produced some excellent football

Longford made a great start and were three points up before Louth’s opening score from Tom Grey on six minutes. The Wee County led at the end of the opening quarter following further points from Ben Collier (two) and Craig Shevlin

A goal from Aaron Smyth regained the lead for Longford and they eventually led 1-5 to 0-7 at the break

With wind advantage Louth took control almost immediately from the restart and four successive points left them in the ascendancy

Conall McCaul found the net on 40 minutes and they eventually opened up a 1-15 to 1-6 advantage. Cathal Gilligan pulled a goal back for Longford but Louth finished on a high with the last three point from the outstanding Tom Grey

Louth captain, Conall McCaul received the man of the match award from Martin Briody, representing sponsor Briody Bedding Limited LOUTH: Jack Lynch (Naomh Mairtin); Aidan Grant (Roche Emmets), Evan Maher (St Kevin’s), MJ Hanlon (Cooley Kickhams); James McDonnell (Roche Emmets), Daniel McArdle (St Brides), Patrick Murtagh (Kilkerley Emmets); Conall McCaul 1-4 (St Joseph’s), Craig Shevlin 0-1 (Dreadnots); Aaron Mills 0-1 (St Patricks), Ben Collier 0-3 (St Joseph’s), Podge Downey 0-1 (St Nicholas); Thomas Rice (Sean O Mahonys), Luke Matthews 0-1 (St Marys), Tom Grey 0-7 (Naomh Mairtin). Subs: Ben Smyth (O Raghallaighs) for Downey, Ewan Sweeney (O Raghallaighs) for Rice, Niall Brady (Cooley Kickhams) for Lynch, Peter Meegan (St Fechins) for Mills, Aaron Lawlor (O Raghallaighs) for Maher, Peter Lynch (Roche Emmets) for McDonnell