Arthur on fire as Reds stay in title race

NIALL Arthur was the star of the show yet again as Louth triggered the trap door on basement boys Longford at Pearse Park on Sunday.

The win moved the Reds up to joint second in the table with Roscommon and two behind leaders Warwickshire.

The Exiles still have to play the Rossies, in their final game so a win over Mongahan in Castleblayney on Sunday could clinch a final spot for Louth.

They need Warwickshire to win or draw to pip Roscommon, while a big Rossies win might also do the trick depending on how the score difference plays out.

Arthur certainly did Louth a favour in that department on Sunday, chipping in with an astonishing 4-12 of Louth’s impressive tally of 4-17. LONGFORD hung in well until they lost Cathal Mullane to a straight red card just before the break, but Arthur signalled his intent fro the off, firing home his first goal after just 20 seconds. FIGHTING for their lives Longford really made a game of it in the first period and actually took the lead late in the half when Joe O’Brien tucked away their third goal, but Louth managed to tack on a couple of late scores to lead by the minimum at the break, 1-8 to 3-1.

BUT against 14 men Louth took control after the break and Arthur led the charge with some superb goa;s and points.

Longford battled to the end, but Louth held out for what could be a vital victory. LOUTH: Stephen Hackett; Mark Wallace, Mike Lyons, Conor Matthews; Stephen Kettle, Ronan Byrne, Andrew McCrave; Donal Ryan, Mark Molloy 0-2; Shane Callan, Gerry Arthur 0-1, Gerard Smyth; Seaghan Conneely 0-1, Niall Arthur 4-1 (6f, 1 ‘65’), Paddy Lynch 0-1. Subs: Diarmuid Murphy for Callan (57), John Crosbie for Smyth (61), Michael Ryan for Ryan (70)

LONGFORD: Conor Gallagher; Karl Murray, Seamus Hannon, Gerard Moore; Dáire Duggan, Paddy Walsh, Aidan Sheridan; Seán Stakelum, Paul Barden; Paddy Corcoran, Daniel Connell (0-1), Jody Leonard; Joe O’Brien 2-4 (2-0 pen, 2f), Cathal Mullane 0-1f, Johnny Casey 0-1. Subs: Reuben Murray 1-0 for Stakelum (20), PJ Masterson for Corcoran (22), Paul Leonard for Barden (52), Ray O’Brien for Walsh (69), Cian McLoughlin for Moore (70)

REFEREE: Chris Mooney (Dublin).