Sixth defeat in a row for struggling Reds

range to leave his side trailing by 2-9 to 1-10 at the break.

Donegal extended their lead to three points with midfielder Stephen Gillespie pointing from play inside 60 seconds of the resumption and that lead soon became six points when the other midfielder and captain Danny Cullen played David Flynn through to net goal number three from close range.

A foul on Gavin Kerrigan presented Gerard Smyth with the chance to open his sides second half account with a pointed free.

Aided by the elements the visitors pressed hard for further scores and their efforts were rewarded with five unanswered points to leave them now in front by 3-13 to 1-11 with 51 minutes played.

Substitute Diarmuid Murphy responded with a relieving point for Louth from play from distance but their opponents continued to press forward and four further points in as many minutes from Flynn (2), Niall Cleary and Jamie De Ward had the game over as a contest.

The sides shared the next four points and a run of three points in a row from Smyth (2 frees) and Conor Kerrigan put some respectability on the scoreboard as the game entered added time.

In the time that remained Donegal sealed their win a with a place in the final with late points from substitute Sean Curran and man of the match David Flynn. Group A: Cooley Kickhams v Geraldines, Peter Hoey, 8.00 St Patrick’s GFC v St Josephs (Darver), ref tbc; Naomh Mairtin v Oilibhéar Pluincéad (Darver), ref tbc Geraldines v Kilkerley Emmets, Paul Finnegan, 8.00 Sean O Mahonys v St Mochtas, Kevin Levins, 8.00 Group C: Naomh Mairtin v Dundalk Gaels, Gerard Corrigan, 8.00 Sean McDermotts v Wolfe Tones Football, John Crawley, 6.00 St Fechins GAA v Pearse Óg, Gerry Keoghan, 6.00; Naomh Moninne v Knockbridge, Noel Mullaney, 6.00 Louth v Sligo (Drogheda), Niall Mc Kenna, 2.00 Dundalk Gaels v Naomh Fionnbarra, David Fedigan, 11.00; Raonaithe Máiteoige v St Patrick’s GFC, Thomas Brennan, 11.00; St Nicholas GFC v Cuchulainn Gaels, Noel Hand, 11.00; Clan na nGael v Newtown Blues, Kevin Brady, 11.00; Ardee St. Mary’s G.F.C. v Cooley Kickhams, Aiden Shevlin, 11.00 St Fechins GAA v Wolfe Tones Football, Donal Brady, 11.00; Dundalk Young Irelands v Glen Emmets, Johnathon Reid, 11.00; Oilibhéar Pluincéad v Dreadnots, Colm Mc Collough, 11.00; St Josephs v Roche Emmets GFC, Finton Levins, 11.00; Hunterstown Rovers GFC v Na Piarsaigh, Declan Dunne, 11.00 Dowdallshill v Annaghminnon Rovers, Colin Mc Kenna, 11.00; Lann Léire C.P.G. v John Mitchels, Jonathan Conlon, 11.00; Glyde Rangers v Stabannon Parnells GFC, Paul Drumm, 11.00; O`Raghallaighs v St Kevins, Stephen Murphy, 11.00; Westerns v O’Connells GFC, Kevin Levins, 11.00 Mattock Rangers/Hunterstown Rovers v Ardee St. Mary’s G.F.C., ref tbc, 7.00; Dundalk Gaels v Geraldines, ref tbc, 7.00; Roche Emmets/St Brides v Naomh Mairtin, ref tbc, 7.00; Cooley Kickhams v St Patrick’s GFC, ref tbc, 7.00 St Nicholas GFC v Na Piarsaigh/Sean O’Mahonys/ Dowdallshill, ref tbc, 7.00; Newtown Blues v Dreadnots, ref tbc, 7.00; Wolfe Tones Football v St Mochtas, ref tbc, 7.00; St Fechins GAA v Oilibhéar Pluincéad, ref tbc, 7.00 Naomh Mairtin v St Josephs, ref tbc, 7.00; Naomh Fionnbarra/Lannleire v Dundalk Young Irelands, ref tbc, 7.00; O’Connells/Stabannon Parnells/John Mitchels v Kilkerley Emmets/Naomh Malachi, ref tbc, 7.00; Clan na nGael v St Kevins, ref tbc, 7.00