Allianz FL D2: Louth secure vital victory

Allianz Football League Division Two

Louth 1-21 Offaly 0-19

By Dan Bannon at Glenisk O'Connor Park

Louth overpowered Offaly in the third quarter to secure a valuable victory.

Two back to back two pointers gave the Leinster champions the surge they needed to take the lead. The returning Conor Early and Craig Lennon smelt blood and gave Louth the boost they needed.

That blitz teed up the crowd and Sam Mulroy to goal and put the visitors in the driving seat.

Gavin Devlin in his first league game in charge of Louth, getting one over his former master Mickey Harte in the opposing dugout was the sideshow, but it was nearly the other way round.

With 14 scores in the opening quarter, it was an exciting start.

The opening half did get fragmented towards the end but Offaly with the wind at their backs they really came to play.

Frantic beginnings and an early settling score from Aaron Leavy from beyond the arc inspired the hosts. Not only did it give his team mates belief, but a blueprint for getting at the reigning Leinster champions.

With the advantage shot, Leavy was followed three times with orange flags. Dan Molloy, a late introduction fired over a rousing effort, debutant Ciaran Murphy and Keith O’Neill showed his class.

With a string of Offaly absences, O’Neill switched to the forty and the Clonbullogue man was a constant menace. At the other end, Louth were more sustained in their efforts. Against the wind, they went with a more structured attack.

That meant Louth were never beyond reach of the midlanders and All-star nominee Craig Lennon was able to inject pace and land three points in the opening period.

Ciaran Downey would level in fact, Paul Mathews would level for the third time in the half for Louth but Declan Kelly and Mickey Harte’s troops would prosper thanks to the conditions.

O’Neill, Jordan Hayes and Eoin Sawyer found the target at the tail end of the half to steal the round. The wind was a huge factor now with kick out pressure, but Louth it seemed, were primed.

Eleven minutes into the second half, the finish was sublime from Mulroy after Ryan Burns did wonderfully to dispossess his marker Lee Pearson. Paul Mathews sent the direct ball into the talisman and on his weaker left foot he blew past Sean O’Toole.

Cormac Egan who had a ding dong battle with Craig Lennon all afternoon, did briefly level, but such was Louth’s physicality they overcame a depleted midland outfit comfortably in the finish.

Grabbing primary possession around the middle and punishing scores from Donal McKenny and substitute Tadhg McDonnell showed Louth’s depth and ability to counter rapidly. Full back Dermot Campbell at the nucleus of things.

An away derby is next on the cards for Offaly in Newbridge, while it’s back to Ardee for Louth who take on Cork next weekend.

Scorers for Louth: Craig Lennon 0-5 (1tp), Sam Mulroy 1-1 (f), Dara McDonnell, Conor Grimes, Conor Early (1tp), Peter Lynch, Paul Mathews and Ciaran Downey 0-2 each, Ryan Burns, Donal McKenny and Tadhg McDonnell 0-1 each

Scorers for Offaly: Keith O’Neill 0-5 (3f, 1tp), Ciaran Murphy 0-4 (1tp), Dan Molloy 0-3 (1tp), Aaron Leavy (1tp) and Jordan Hayes 0-2 each, Eoin Sawyer, Diarmuid Egan and Cormac Egan 0-1 each

Louth: Niall McDonnell; Donal McKenny, Dermot Campbell, Emmett Carolan; Conall McKeever, Peter Lynch, Craig Lennon; Dara McDonnell, Conor Early; Paul Mathews, Ciaran Downey, Conor Grimes; Ciaran Keenan, Sam Mulroy, Ryan Burns.

Subs: Eoghan Callaghan for McKeever (26), Tadhg McDonnell for Downey (54), Kieran McArdle for Grimes (62).

Offaly: Sean O’Toole; Shane O’Toole Greene, Diarmuid Egan, Lee Pearson; David Dempsey, Jordan Hayes, Dan Molloy; Jack McEvoy, Aaron Leavy; Ciaran Murphy, Keith O’Neill, Cormac Egan; Rory Egan, Jack Bryant, Eoin Sawyer.

Subs: Sean Conway for Molloy (60), Darragh Flynn for Bryant (65),

Referee: Barry Judge (Sligo).