Allianz FL D2: Louth defeat Tyrone
Tyrone goalkeeper Niall Morgan in Allianz Football League action. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
Allianz Football League Division Two
Louth 1-15 Tyrone 0-13
By Dan Bannon at DEFY Páirc Mhuire
Gutsy Louth led from pillar to post to pick up their first win over Tyrone since 1994 at DEFY Pairc Mhuire.
An early Ciaran Downey goal and a mastery of the conditions and full use of home comforts saw them home.
Louth had the wind advantage from the start and were determined to use it. Dominating the ball, the Leinster Champions had to adapt a shoot-on-sight policy. Gavin Devlin’s side injected whatever pace was in the game on scraps of play.
An opening score from Kieran McArdle opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Seconds later, McArdle sent Ciaran Downey through.
With Niall Morgan rushing to meet him, Downey nonchalantly lobbed into the net for a stunning early lead.
Darragh Canavan was slick and responded with two scores. The scores signalled what was to come. In a congested area, Canavan showed his genius to clip over vital scores. Staying in touch against the conditions was key and Canavan’s four first half points were foundations for Malachy O’Rourke’s side's success.
With Louth attacks fleeting, Conor Grimes lined up a superb two pointer and showed his teammates the way forward. Sam Mulroy and midfielder Dara McDonnell followed with two more orange flags.
Canavan made it all too manageable at the half for the visitors 1-8 to 0-8.
The failure to raise an orange flag after the interval was Tyrone’s downfall. The game became a dogfight and Louth dug out the victory with the last three scores, Mulroy supplying two crucial efforts.
Scorers for Louth: Sam Mulroy 0-7 (1 tpf, 5fs), Ciaran Downey 1-0, Conor Grimes 0-3 (1 2pt), Dara McDonnell (1tp) and Craig Lennon 0-2 each, Kieran McArdle 0-1.
Scorers for Tyrone: Darragh Canavan 0-6 (2fs), Niall Morgan 0-2 (1’45, f), Seanie O’Donnell, Michael McKernan, Ciaran Daly, Darren McCurry and Ronan Cassidy 0-1 each.
Louth: Niall McDonnell; Padraic Tinnelly, Dermot Campbell, Donal McKenny; Tadhg McDonnell, Emmett Carolan, Craig Lennon; Dara McDonnell, Conor Early; Paul Mathews, Sam Mulroy, Conor Grimes; Kieran McArdle, Ciaran Downey, Ryan Burns.
Subs: Conall McKeever for Mathews (45), Tommy Durnin for D McDonnell (48), Eoghan Callaghan for Campbell (56).
Tyrone: Niall Morgan; Cormac Quinn, Aidan Clarke, Michael Rafferty; Ronan Cassidy, Michael McKernan, Ben Cullen; Brian Kennedy, Ciaran Daly; Eoin McElholm, Conn Kilpatrick, Frank Burns; Darragh Canavan, Mattie Donnelly, Seanie O’Donnell.
Subs: Darren McCurry for McElholm (45), Rory Brennan for Burns (48), Ruairi Canavan for Cullen (53), Ethan Jordan for D Canavan (56), Ruairi McCullagh for Donnelly (64).
Referee: David Murnane (Cork)
