Leinster SFC: Impressive Louth triumph
Páiric Hughes, Wexford, and Sam Mulroy, Louth, in Leinster SFC action. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Leinster Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final
Louth 1-25 Wexford 0-11
By Dan Bannon at Netwatch Cullen Park
Louth set out their provincial defence with an assured 17 point victory over Wexford. The Delaney Cup holders slowly got up the gears to demolish the Slaneysiders in the finish.
With 10 names on the scoresheet and competition for places high, Louth were on a different level to the recently promoted Wexford men.
The defending Leinster champions received a huge boost prior to throw in when opposing goalkeeper Darragh Brooks was out due to injury.
In came William Gaul to replace the talented Brooks.
Regardless of his goalkeeping duties, Wexford were certain to miss his accuracy from placed balls. Gaul did assist the first Wexford point from play. With his first restart, Tom Byrne pointed. Mark Rossiter slotted over a two point free to start the tie.
Louth were patient, they had to be, as they stumbled and fumbled a number of possessions with Wexford breathing heavily on top of them.
Louth full forward Conall McCaul settled his side into the opening round. McCaul from St. Joseph’s had a hat trick of points to level the game.
Louth strung together five points in a row. A contrast in composure from that point onwards. Wexford were wild in their shooting while Ciaran Keenan and Sam Mulroy were not. Keenan, known as Kiki around Ardee, turned the screw himself before half-time with three points.
His two pointer inspired his sparring partner Mulroy to kick one too. With that barrage there was an ominous feel on the terraces at half time. Louth with a commanding 0-14 to 0-5 lead.
The pressure did not let off upon the restart for John Hegarty’s men with Tadhg McDonnell landing a quick brace after his half time introduction.
Once Sam Mulroy slotted away his penalty ten minutes into the second half, Louth were already looking towards the Leinster semi final. Devlin emptied his bench with glee.
In form Ciaran Downey returned to the fold and Sean Callaghan made his Leinster championship bow. Michael Kinsella also came in at half time for Wexford and found the range in response to the penalty.
Louth stepped off the gas as Wexford top scorer Rossiter, hit three scores in succession to provide some gloss for the scoreboard.
The Wee county, with their fourth leinster semi final in a row to look forward to, finished strong with Downey, all star nominee Ryan Burns and McDonnell finding the target.
Scorers for Louth: Sam Mulroy 1-4 (1-0 pen, 1tp, 2fs), Ciaran Keenan (1tp) and Tadhg McDonnell 0-4 each, Conor Early, Conall McCaul and Dara McDonnell 0-3 each, Ryan Burns, Ciaran Downey, Sean Reynolds and Paul Mathews 0-1 each,
Scorers for Wexford: Mark Rossiter 0-7 (3f, 1tpf), Michael Kinsella 0-2, Cathal Kehoe and Tom Byrne, 0-1 each.
Louth: Niall McDonnell; Emmett Carolan, Dermot Campbell, Daire Nally; Conall McKeever, Dara McDonnell, Donal McKenny; Conor Early, Tommy Durnin; Paul Mathews, Sam Mulroy, Conor Grimes; Kieran McArdle, Conall McCaul, Kieran Keenan.
Subs: Ryan Burns for Grimes (HT), Tadhg McDonnell for Campbell (HT), Sean Callaghan for Durnin (42), Ciaran Downey for McArdle (47), Sean Reynolds for Keenan (61).
Wexford: William Gaul; Liam O'Connor, Gavin Sheehan, Eoin Porter; Shane Doyle, Eoghan Nolan, Dylan Furlong; Liam Coleman, Niall Hughes; Páiric Hughes, Cathal Kehoe, Glen Malone; Seán Ryan, Mark Rossiter, Tom Byrne.
Subs: Michael Kinsella for Ryan (HT), Seán Barden for Sheenan (HT), Robbie Brooks for Byrne (50), Ben Brosnan for Doyle (58), Darragh Lyons for Coleman (69).
Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan).
