Louth clinched the Allianz NFL Division Two title after their 1-12 to 1-09 replay win over Donegal at Breffni Park today.
Michael Doherty's 20th-minute penalty strike handed Donegal an early advantage. But Louth snapped back to lead by 1-06 to 1-05 at the interval – thanks to a Mark Stanfield goal.
Louth's Aaron Hoey and Darren Clarke hit some crucial scores in the second half as Donegal had full-back Paddy Campbell red carded, ten minutes from the end.
Having allowed the Tir Chonaill men to get out of jail in last week’s drawn game, Louth begun in a determined fashion this afternoon with points from John O’Brien, Martin Farrelly and Clarke.
Doherty and wing back Barry Dunnion replied for Donegal, who squeezed in front when Colin Goss brought James Gallagher down in the Louth square and Doherty mopped up with the spot kick, a powerfully struck shot to the centre of the Wee county net.
Doherty tagged on a point, but Louth, who also had JP Rooney on the score sheet, ended the half on the up. Paddy Keenan and Mark Brennan slammed over further points and then came Stanfield’s goal. The Killeavy clubman ran onto a through ball from Christy Grimes to fist the ball beyond the reach of Donegal stopper Paul Durcan, who started in place of Michael Boyle in one of five changes from last Sunday’s clash.
Once again, Louth made the better start to the second half, scoring three points on the bounce. Clarke (0-02) and Stanfield pushed Eamon McEneaney’s side 1-09 to 1-05 clear.
Two frees from Doherty and a curling effort from former All-Star Adrian Sweeney saw the gap reduced to one again, but Louth kept up their economical rate of scoring with Hoey and Clarke raising white flags.
Donegal then lost Campbell to a straight red card – for a striking offence which could rule him out of the Ulster championship fixture against Down or Cavan on June 4. Still, Brian McIver’s men fought to the finish with Louth keeper Stuart Reynolds having to stand up well when Sweeney was put through one-on-one with him. Sweeney’s disappointing shot was clambered away and with it went Donegal’s chances.
Stanfield landed the insurance point as McEneaney, who took the Louth reins in November, celebrated winning his first piece of silverware and the county’s second Division Two crown – they won the inaugural final back in 2000.
In addition, Louth's triumph and additional League games – they won six of their seven outings in Division 2B, as well as beating Limerick in the semi-final and Donegal over 140 minutes – should have them in good stead for their Leinster SFC first round tussle with Meath on May 14.
