A furious Kelly blasts GAA as Louth run out of steam
LOUTH manager Colin Kelly was left furious as the six-day turnaround from last week Leinster Championship defeat to Meath proved too much for the Wee County who fell to a five point defeat against Derry in Owenbeg.
James Kielt was the home hero with a personal tally of 1-09, including a superbly hit penalty with five minutes to go as the visitors visibly wilted in the final stages of a game which had been level six times previously. Kelly was in no doubt that was down to last week’s exertions.
‘I felt the lads gave all they could give and I think it is disgraceful the way they are treated,’ explained the Louth boss.
‘For one county to be treated as we have been treated, I think it is embarrassing for the GAA to say the least.
‘You have people in higher positions preaching about player welfare but do they even understand what that means? Have these fellas played the game?
‘Do they realised what it is like for this players to come up and try to represent the county to the best of their ability. I think it is an absolute disgrace.’
Kelly had a point. The game had been tight before Derry hit seven unanswered points in a ten minute second half spell which proved to be the platform for victory. However Louth also had their goalkeeper, Craig Lynch, to thank for a string of crucial first-half
saves that ensured the visitors went into halftime leading 1-05 to 0-7.
Inside 20 seconds of the throw-in the Louth No. 1 had blocked Mark Lynch’s goal bound shot with his legs before denying both Emmet McGuckin and Christopher Bradley with excellent stops.
That interval lead was thanks in part to Jim McEnaney’s well struck penalty after he had been brought down trying to get on to the end of Conor Grimes superb centre. Grimes was brilliant all afternoon, laying on a second Louth goal for Declan Bryne in the closing stages to ensure a nervous finish to a game Derry looked to have won.
Derry had struggled to win primary possession in the opening half with Louth’s short kicks working well but once the Oak Leafers got the measure of the strategy in the second-half, it proved crucial.
But Kielt was central to everything the Oak Leafers did going forward, even if he sent a second spot-kick wide in the last minute.
In the end, points from substitutes Niall Toner and Emmet Bradley ensured Derry would not pay the price for those missed chances. DeRRY: M Conlan; G McKinless, C Mullan (O Duffy 63), K McKaigue; N Forester, B Rogers, L McGoldrick (K Johnston 41); C McAtamney, N Holly (E Bradley 51); D Heavron, C Bradley, E Brown (N Loughlin 42); J Kielt, E McGuckin (S Heavron 69), M Lynch (N Toner 49) . Scorers: J Kielt 1-9 (6f, 1-0pen), C Bradley 0-3, E McGuckin, M Lynch 0-2 (2f), N Toner, E Bradley 0-1. LOuth: C Lynch; P Rath, P Reilly, J Bingham; D Maguire, D McMahon, A Williams; J Stewart (B Duffy 50), J Califf; D Byrne, J McEneaney (G McSorley 41), R Moore (A Reid 46); E Lafferty, C Grimes, R Burns (J McEnaney 64). Scorers: D Byrne 1-3, J Califf 0-4 (4f), J McEneaney 1-1 (1-0pen), C Grimes, R Burns (1f) 0-1. ReFeRee: Martin Duffy (Sligo).