Louth's Ciaran Downey and Sam Mulroy celebrate at Laois Hire O'Moore Park. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
All-Ireland SFC Group Three
Louth 2-17 (2-3-11) Clare 2-14 (2-0-14)
By Dan Bannon at Laois Hire O'Moore Park
Leinster Champions Louth, advanced to the preliminary quarter final for the second season in a row after taking care of Clare.
Deadly duo Ciaran Downey and Sam Mulroy were on song for the winners with a combined total of 2-11.
The goals came in the first half, back to back when Clare’s Manus Doherty was black carded. That ruthless period meant Clare would go another season without a All-Ireland series victory.
All-Star Craig Lennon nearly added a goal in between with a fine solo run, but his shot was cleared off the line. Louth had the luxury of taking off the St. Mochta’s man in the first half before Clare threw everything at them.
Ger Brennan’s side made hay when the sun shone. Midfield pairing of Dara McDonnell and Tommy Durnin gave them a solid platform despite the surprise inclusion of Stephen Ryan for Clare.
The Doonebeg man started in goals after a long term absence was a boost and he kicked a second half free as Clare roared back into the game.
Louth grew into the game, with Downey impressing in a more central role and kicking one of the scores of the game before half-time to leave it 2-8 to 0-6 at the interval.
The Leinster men were well in control but with a draw sufficient and Clare playing with abandon the second half was a ropey one for the winners.
Corner back Rory McMahon’s well-taken goal gave them a lift and kept them in the game. Louth struggled to regain the fluency they had shown in the first half, and Clare began to reduce the gap through the impressive Mark McInerney
Sam Mulroy, as ever, was a steady presence for Louth, adding five second-half points, including several long-range efforts. Despite this, Clare continued to press. Veteran Eoin Cleary found the net late on and added a point to surprisingly leave just three between the sides.
A late injury to goalkeeper Niall McDonnell meant a senior debut for U20 net minder Tiernan Markey. Despite the pressure, Louth managed the final minutes well, with substitute Conor Branigan’s second point proving decisive.
Scorers for Louth: Sam Mulroy 1-6 (2f, 1tp, 1pf), Ciaran Downey 1-5 (1 tp), Conor Branigan 0-2, Conor Grimes, Ryan Burns, Ryan Walsh and Craig Lennon 0-1 each
Scorers for Clare: Mark McInerney 0-6 (3fs), Eoin Cleary 1-2, Rory McMahon 1-0, Emmet McMahon 0-2, Stephen Ryan (f) Keelan Sexton, Aaron Griffin and Brian McNamara 0-1 each.
Louth: Niall McDonnell; Donal McKenny, Emmet Carolan, Dan Corcoran; Conall McKeever, Peter Lynch, Daire Nally; Dara McDonnell, Tommy Durnin; Conor Grimes, Ciaran Downey, Craig Lennon, Ciaran Keenan, Sam Mulroy, Ryan Burns.
Subs: Ryan Walsh for Lennon (32), Conor Branigan for Grimes (53) Daire McConnon for Keenan (53), Anthony Williams for Burns (65), Tiernan Markey for McDonnell (65), Kieran McArdle for Downey (68).
Clare: Stephen Ryan: Manus Doherty, Ronan Lanigan, Rory McMahon; Cillian Rouine, Alan Sweeney, Ikem Ugwueru; Brian McNamara, Daniel Walsh; Dermot Coughlan Jnr, Emmet McMahon, Conor Meaney; Aaron Griffin, Eoin Cleary, Mark McInerney.
Subs: Shane Griffin for Meaney (24), Brendan Rouine for Walsh (50), Jamie Stack for Sweeney (59), Keelan Sexton for Cleary (64) Ciaran Downes for McMahon (67).
Referee: Barry Tiernan (Dublin).
