Longford 3-13 Louth 0-12
Dessie Reynolds powered Longford to their fourth O'Byrne Cup title in their history with a punishing hat-trick that earned the Midlanders a 10-point victory over Louth at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.
Reynolds punished every mistake in the visitors' defence to land Paddy Christie his first piece of silverware in his maiden season at the helm. Reynolds was simply electric with each goal was better than the next.
The first came entirely against the run of play. Having opened Longford’s account seconds earlier, the Sean Connolly’s man was on hand to finish off a move that began with a Craig Lennon slip on the Louth wing after quarter of an hour of action.
Midway through the second half, Reynolds all but sealed the preseason decider as Louth centre back Liam Jackson coughed up the ball coming out from his defence and Reynolds galloped through to slot home under Martin McEneaney.
And with the home crowd willing him on, Reynolds duly finished the job with the best of his three majors with ten minutes to go. Collecting the ball over substitute Gerard Browne’s head, Reynolds, full of confidence, danced through to secure his hat-trick.
Christie had the wherewithal to take the star man off so he could savour the fully deserved adulation.
Louth looked sharp early on, despite an element of experimentation, to take a two-point lead. Despite the concession of the first goal, Sam Mulroy powered over five first-half points to keep Mickey Harte's men in touch.
Longford have not lost to Louth in eight games spanning all competitions. A stack of those wins have come down to Darren Gallagher’s trusty right boot. The midfielder’s accuracy from placed balls again ensured Longford would lead 1-07 to 0-07 at half time.
After the break, Louth, again, started brightly with corner-forwards Jay Hughes and Tom Gray finding the target.
David McGivney cancelled those scores and ignited an unanswered 1-03 scoring run that ended with the second goal from Reynolds.
From that point onwards, Louth looked ahead to Clare away in Ennis next weekend while Longford comfortably controlled proceedings. Andrew Farrell, exceptional at full-back too.
In the midst of all the replacements, Reynolds landed his third while Mulroy missed a last-minute penalty. That contrast in itself summed up the final.
Longford: Paddy Collum; Barry O’Farrell, Andrew Farrell, Ryan Moffett; Peter Lynn, Gary Rogers, Iarla O’Sullivan; Fergal Sheridan (0-01), Darren Gallagher (0-03, 0-02 45’); Dylan Farrell, Joe Hagan, Michael Quinn (0-01); Dessie Reynolds (3-03), Daniel Mimnagh (0-01), David McGivney (0-04, 0-02fs).
Subs: Aaron Farrell for D Farrell (56), Robbie Smyth for Quinn (61), James McGivney for Mimnagh (64), Jack Macken for Reynolds (66), Peter Foy for O’Sullivan (68), Brian Masterson for Lynn (68), Ruairi Harkin for Rogers (68), Conor Keenan for Hagan (72), Jayson Matthews for D McGivney (72), Tadhg McNevin for Gallagher (72)
Louth: Martin McEneaney; Alan Connor, Bevan Duffy, Paraic McKenny; Oisín McGuinness (0-01), Liam Jackson, Craig Lennon; Tommy Durnin, Conall McCaul (0-01); Shane Matthews, Ciarán Keenan, Ryan Burns (0-01); Jay Hughes (0-02), Sam Mulroy (0-06, 0-01 45’, 0-03fs), Tom Gray (0-01).
Subs: Niall Sharkey for Lennon (40), Gerard Browne for McKenny (54), Jack Murphy for Matthews (64), Conor Clarke for Connor (65), Evan Maher for McCaul (68).
Referee: Keith O’Brien (Westmeath).
