14-man Reds push Sligo all the way

SLIGO LOUTH 1-16 2-9

LOUTH made the long trek west on Saturday morning to take on Sligo in the opening round of this year’s u16 Fr Manning Cup.

The Reds were slow to get going, kicking two points and five wides before they opened their account with a Joe Mee point.

Sligo then spurned a goal chance before Ryan Walsh tied matters up with a free after a foul on Sean Healy.

Louth were now moving welland Gabriel Bell set-up Walsh for a point from play on 15 minutes. A minute later James Harper turned over Sligo possession and found Cathal Fleming who’s incisive pass picked out Healy who finished well to the net to put Louth 1-3 to 0-2 ahead.

Sligo responded with three points before Louth suffered two body blows in the 23rd minute - first full-back Finbarr Lynch was sent to the line having picked up two yellow cards for two rash challenges inside three minutes and then centre-half back Ruairi Hanlon had to retire with a pulled hamstring. Hanlon was replaced by Eoghan Ryan as Louth re-shuffle positions to try to deal with being a man down.

Sligo racked up another four points in the remaining seven minutes of the half to go 0-9 to 1-3 in front. Louth had an opportunity to go in level at half time but spurned a goal chance after a penalty was awarded for a footblock on Gabriel Bell to prevent what looked a certain goal. Cathal Fleming’s well taken spot kick hit the inside of the post, and while Sean Healy reacted well to get the rebound back on target the Sligo goalkeeper responded with an exceptional reaction save to deny the Wee County.

Things looked bleak for Louth when a Sligo goal within two minutes of the re-start put them 6 points ahead 1-9 to 1-3. The teams then exchanged four points each, with Fleming and Walsh on target for Louth to leave it 1-13 to 1-7. Two more Sligo points left Louth eight points adrift but the 14 men never gave up. A fine point from Gabriel Bell was soon followed by a goal for Louth after a move up the field was finished to the net by over-lapping corner-back Craig Callan in the 28th minute. Sligo were hoping for the final whistle to sound when Joe Mee pointed soon after to reduce the deficit further after good work from Patrick Johnston and substitute Mícheál Begley.

Indeed, in added time the 14 men almost stole something from the game. First the Sligo goalkeeper produced a wonder save from Sean Healy after he was set-up by a great run from another sub, Craig Lennon.

Shortly after Louth spurned another goal effort, a free after a foul on Bobby Butterly was lofted into the square by Daire Nally and Ryan Walsh was went very close to finding the net with a fisted goal attempt.

Stand out performances in defence for Louth from Craig Callan, Caolán McCabe, and James Harper as well as Cathal Fleming when he dropped to centre-half after the sending off. In attack Ryan Walsh, Daire Nally and Sean Healy fared best over the 60 plus minutes. All subs introduced did not let their side down.

Next up for Louth is a visit from Westmeath to Darver next Saturday (21st) before their final Group game against Kildare in Newbridge (28th). LOUTH: Cian Rogan (Cooley Kickhams); Craig Callan 1-0 (Clan na Gael), Finbarr Lynch (St Kevins), Caolán McCabe (Dundalk Young Irelanders); Adam Harper (St Kevins), Ruairi Hanlon (Colmcilles), Jamie Winters (Naomh Máirtín); Gabriel Bell 0-1 (St Josephs), Joe Mee 0-2 (Cooley Kickhams); Ryan Walsh 0-4, 2f (St Fechins), Dáire Nally (Newtown Blues), Cathal Fleming 0-2f (Mattock Rangers); Adam Harper, captain (St Kevins), Seán Healy 1-0 (Naomh Máirtín), Patrick Johnston (Cooley Kickhams). Subs Used: Eoghan Ryan (St Fechins) for Hanlon, Conor Quigley (Kilkerley Emmets) for A.Harper, Mícheál Begley (Kilkerley Emmets) for Bell, Craig Lennon (St Mochtas) for Mee, Bobby Butterly (Stabannon Parnells) for Winters. Unused Subs: Joe Gordon (Naomh Máirtín), Padraig Duffy (St Patricks), Adam Fee (Roche Emmets), Gerard White (Cooley Kickhams), Ewan McEnteggart (Kilkerley Emmets), Aaron McArdle (Kilkerley Emmets), Ben Kierans-Goss (St Mochtas), Martin McEneaney (St Patricks)