Hurlers hope to bounce back against Tyrone

2-23 1-14 FIXTURES

LOUTH will be hoping to bounce back from an opening round defeat when they host Tyrone in Darver this Sunday (2.00).

The Reds endured a 12-point defeat in Letterkenny last Sunday after failing to take advantage of a strong breeze in the opening half.

The opening exchanges were even until Cathal Doherty netted the first goal of the game to make it 1-2 to 0-2 with less than six minutes gone.

Louth rallied and trailed by just a single point at the end of the opening quarter, 1-5 to 0-7.

However, a Kevin Campbell goal on 22 minutes left Donegal leading by 2-6 to 0-8 and the signs weren’t good for Louth at that stage.

But to their credit the Reds finished the half strongly, firing over the three points to trail by 2-6 to 0-11.

Declan Coulter extended Donegal’s lead after the break, but Louth briefly took the lead when Seaghan Connelly netted a fine goal to make it 1-11 to 2-7.

Points from Lee Henderson and Enda McDermott put Donegal back into the lead with 48 minutes gone, but the game ebbed and flowed with the sides level on several occasions.

However, Donegal then scored six points without reply - four of them from Lee Henderson - to build up a 2-16 to 1-13 lead with 12 minutes left.

Donegal continued to pick off the scores and they enjoyed a real purple patch hitting 13 points unanswered, before Louth added a late consolation. THE students of DkIT passed a major test in their quest to defend their Trench Cup crown last week, battling to an impressive eightpoint win over Limerick IT.

Nerves were frayed as the team travelled to Limerick IT Sports Grounds which is overlooked by Munster’s Thomond Park.

At the match line-up it did not look promising for DkIT as they stood alongside their Golliath-like opponents, but after 10 minutes Div 3: Louth 0-11 Longford 0-10 Div 3A: Donegal 2-23 Louth 1-14 Group B: Na Piarsaigh 1-7 Kilkerley Emmets 1-9 Group C: Naomh Fionnbarra 3-7 Naomh Mairtin 1-9; Hunterstown Rovers GFC 3-3 Dundalk Gaels 3-8 Group D: St Fechins GAA 0-6 Clan na nGael 1-8; O’Connells GFC 1-9 Newtown Blues 0-12 Group E: Dundalk Young Irelands 1-7 Dreadnots 0-7 Group F: Oliver Plunketts 2-9 O Raghallaighs 2-9 Group A: Naomh Malachi 3-10 Cuchulainn Gaels 1-8 Group B: Wolfe Tones Football 0-4 St Kevins 2-11; Naomh Mairtin 1-8 John Mitchels 1-6 Group C: Lannleire 1-5 Sean McDermotts 2-7 Group A: Glyde Rangers 3-9 St Nicholas GFC 0-5 Group A: Marino Institiute of Education 3-16 DkIT 1-8