DCU's bid to become the first university side to lift the O'Byrne Cup failed as Louth came out on top in today's decider at Drogheda.
Midfielder Brian White was in fine form, playing a roaming role and
top-scoring with 0-07 as Louth lifted the O'Byrne title for the first
time since 1990.
Their only other previous wins in the competition came back in 1963 and 1980.
Eamonn McEneaney's current side were 1-09 to 0-05 to the good at half-time, with their goal being deflected to the net by DCU defender Paddy Andrews.
Andrews had the misfortune of knocking the ball over the line as JP Rooney put pressure on him.
DCU, who claimed the notable scalps of Kildare and Laois on the way to the final, started in confident mood with points from Meath man Brian Sheridan and Ray Cullivan from Cavan.
Sheridan went on to kick four first half points for the students, but
it was at the other end of the pitch where Louth held the edge.
White and the two-man full-forward line of Darren Clarke and Rooney
were proving too hot to handle. Free-taker White accounted for five of Louth's first half scores, with Clarke chipping in with 0-03.
DCU called for reinforcements at the break and three of the country's brightest forward talents were summoned off the bench - Cavan's Seanie Johnston, David Kelly from Sligo and Meath star Shane O'Rourke.
However, only Johnston really made an impact as he fired over five second half points - three of them from frees.
Louth moved nine points ahead just after the restart, with Clarke and White both on target, but they did lose influential midfielder Ronan Carroll to a yellow card.
DCU had to replace two yellow-carded players - Sheridan and Ronan Flanagan - and while Louth native Conor Rafferty was able to fist home a pride-salvaging goal for the students, closing points from Ger Hoey, Paraic Smith, Clarke, David Reid and Derek Maguire eased Louth to a memorable win which, in this sort of form, could be the start of greater things for McEneaney's men.
O'Byrne Shield Final
Laois 1-13 Carlow 1-06
Chris Bergin (1-04) was the top scorer for Laois as Sean Dempsey's charges retained the O'Byrne Shield at Dr Cullen Park.
The visitors began brightly, with Bergin amassing 1-03 in the first
half, including an 11th minute goal, as Laois claimed a 1-06 to 0-05 half-time lead.
A wind-assisted Laois broke into a 1-11 to 0-06 lead with 13 minutes remaining, but Carlow finished strongly with a John Murphy goal.
However, Laois remained resilient with points from Shane Conlon and Peter McNulty ensuring back-to-back Shield titles.
