Allianz Football League Division Two

Louth 2-9 Cork 0-13

By Dan Bannon at DEFY Páirc Mhuire, Ardee

For the second successive season, Louth picked up two valuable league points at home against Cork at DEFY Páirc Mhuire. The visitors are now at the foot of the Division Two table with no wins from the opening two rounds.

Louth’s relief was met at the final whistle by an Ardee roar as they finished with three unanswered points to get off the mark in 2024. Craig Lennon, Ryan Burns and talisman Sam Mulroy found the target on the counter attack with Cork unable to find the range in the tense closing stages.

With four huge saves over the course of the game Ger Brennan singled out Niall McDonnell for praise in the aftermath. Louth supporters' hearts were in their mouths but McDonnell, in his first season, was unbeatable on the day.

Brian Hurley pointed a quick free before he picked up an early black card. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Cork led 0-6 to 0-3 with the wind at their back. Upon returning to the field Hurley made amends with two excellent points.

However, Louth would stun John Cleary’s side with two quick fire goals in two minutes. First Ciarán Downey drilled low past Patrick Doyle and then another Ciarán Keenan from Ardee, found the net on his home pitch.

Significantly, that brace left Ger Brennan’s side ahead, 2-4 to 0-9 at half time. Cork still took the lead on two occasions in the second period. Eoghan McSweeney and the impressive Chris Óg Jones landed those scores, but that would be it for the Leesiders.

With the pressure of league points now at the forefront of their minds, Cork tried to press the issue. But the combination of missed frees and McDonnell’s heroic stops left Corks forwards scratching their heads.

Louth soaked up the pressure and came with two counter attacking scores. Mulroy marched up with the final insurance score to close out what could be a valuable win in this competitive division. 

Scorers for Louth: Sam Mulroy 0-5 (4fs, 1’45), Ciarán Downey and Ciarán Keenan 1-0 each, Craig Lennon 0-2, Paul Mathews, and Ryan Burns 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cork: Brian Hurley 0-4 (3fs), Eoghan McSweeney and Chris Óg Jones 0-2 each, Ian Maguire, Tommy Walsh, Colm O’Callaghan, Mark Cronin (f) and P Doyle (1’45) 0-1 each.

Louth: Niall McDonnell; Dermot Campbell, Peter Lynch, Donal McKenny; Ciarán Murphy, Anthony Williams, Craig Lennon; Conor Early, Tommy Durnin; Paul Mathews, Ciarán Keenan, Conor Grimes; Ryan Burns, Sam Mulroy, Ciarán Downey.

Subs: Conall McCaul for Mathews (50), Leonard Grey for Campbell (58), Conall McKeever for Murphy (58), Dylan McKeown for Burns (62), Wayne Campbell for Keenan (65).

Cork: Patrick Doyle; Maurice Shanley, Daniel O’Mahony, Tommy Walsh; Luke Fahy, Seán Meehan, Mattie Taylor; Ian Maguire, Colm O’Callaghan; Eoghan McSweeney, Ruairí Deane, Brian O’Driscoll; Chris Óg Jones, Brian Hurley, Mark Cronin.

Subs: Darragh Cashman for Fahy (HT), Steven Sherlock for Hurley (56), Rory Maguire for Meehan (56), David Buckley for Deane (59), Blake Murphy for Óg Jones (69).

Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan).