So near but yet so far for gallant Reds in decider
IT proved so near and yet so far for Louth as their challenge floundered in the closing minutes of this well contested Allianz HL Division 3A decider at sunny St Loman’s Park Trim last Saturday.
The meeting of the last two Lory Meagher champions produced a rousing tussle and it looked as if it might take extra-time to separate the teams after Donal Ryan hit over a superb equalising point with five minutes remaining. That was the ninth time that the sides were level and when they clashed in the group stages earlier in the year at Darver there was nothing between the teams at the final whistle.
However on this occasion it was the Exiles who produced a finishing kick and three unanswered points in six minutes clinched the title and promotion to Division 2B for 2019.
Niall McKenna (two frees), and impressive centre back Paul Hoban from a ’65 struck the late scores that separated the teams at the finish.
Antrim native McKenna top scored for the winners with six points, all from frees, while Loughrea (Galway) club man Hoban produced a sterling display at centre back and also accounted for five points, four long range frees and a ‘65’.
Full forward Niall Arthur was Louth’s scorer-in-chief and for long spells it looked as if Arthur would be king. The Clare native ensured that the Wee County remained in contention throughout. A tricky wind made matters difficult for free takers and both sides squandered chances but once Arthur found his range he kept the pressure on the visitors and finished with a personal tally of nine points.
A well executed goal from Pearse Ógs Gerard Smyth put Louth in the ascendancy in the early stages and they eventually led 1-6 to 0-7 at the break. That first half was dour enough as Louth enjoyed the advantage of the breeze. Their opening score was a long range effortfrom wing back Andrew McCrave and Arthur then accounted for their remaining points of the half, all from frees.
Burly full forward Domhnall Nugent caused some early problems for the Louth rearguard but overall the defence acquitted themselves adequately in that free, this time from Louth’s centre back Ronan Byrne had Louth back in front at the three quarter way stage of what was proving a see-saw encounter. They led once more after that when Gerry Arthur pointed on 56 minutes and then came from behind twice to be on level terms entering the closing minutes.
However they didn’t score again after that point from midfielder Ryan and it was Warwickshire who finished stronger to take the title and maintain their unbeaten run in the competition. WARWICKSHIRE: Conor Robbins; Dean Bruen, Adrian Downey, Michael O’Regan; Garry Lennon 0-1, Paul Hoban 0-5 (4f, 1 ‘65), Donncha Kennedy; John Collins, Shane Caulfield 0-2; Niall McKenna 0-6f, Paul Uniacke 0-2, Kelvin Magee 0-1; Ian Dwyer, Domhnall Nugent, Niall Kennedy 0-3. Subs: C McBride for Lennon (49), P Crehan for Dwyer (62).
LOUTH: Stephen Hackett; Mark Wallace, Mike Lyons, Conor Mathews; Stephen Kettle, Ronan Byrne 0-1f, Andrew McCrave 0-1; Donal Ryan 0-1, Mark Molloy 0-1; Gerard Smyth 1-0, Gerry Arthur 0-1, Shane Callan; Seaghan Connealy, Niall Arthur 0-9 (8f), Paddy Lynch. Subs: Diarmuid Murphy for Mathews (34), Paul Mathews for Lynch (39), Paddy McCormack for Smyth (58), John Martin for Connealy (68).
REFEREE: Shane Hynes (Galway)