Louth picked up their first two points of the Division 2 campaign with a hard earned victory over a dogged Limerick outfit at DEFY Páirc Mhúire.
In a repeat of last year's Division 3 final, both new boys were eyeing each other up for their first league win of the season.
Despite a slow start to proceedings, Sam Mulroy's tour de force after half time would be the difference between the two sides. Louth struck six points in a row and that condemned winless Limerick to another loss.
In what was essentially a four pointer, Louth can now look to the trip to Navan next week with glee, while Limerick face a daunting trip to Páirc Uí Chaoimh in search of their first win in the relegation battle.
With the two sides under increasing pressure to collect points, understandably the start was slack and a slight bit hesitant. Sam Mulroy nibbled on two goal chances but it was late change Colm McSweeney that opened the scoring from long range.
Louth went on to create numerous chances and Niall Sharkey in fact had the ball in the Limerick net only for the breakthrough to be chalked off for a square ball.
With the hosts still reeling, the impressive Hugh Bourke and Cian Sheehan pushed the visitors into a three point lead.
The pressure looked to be getting the better of Mickey Harte’s men until Daire McConnon raced deep into Limerick territory, hit the upright, the ball fell kindly to corner back Dan Corcoran to turn the relief valve with a low shot past Donal O’Sullivan to the back of the net.
Ray Dempsey’s outfit continued to press matters further with some excellent shooting again. The antithesis of Louth’s early play saw Iain Corbett and the impressive Adrian Enright land quality scores at the other end.
It took two Sam Mulroy frees at the end of the half to reel Limerick in, that made it an unlikely draw game, 1-6 to 0-9 at the interval.
With Gavin Devlin and Mickey Harte’s instructions still ringing in their ears, Louth were more like the side that ran table toppers Derry close a fortnight ago.
As the half progressed, it was Limerick's turn to miss as Louth landed the first six points of the second period. Mulroy struck three of those scores along with a brace from Dáire McConnon in that vital passage for the home side.
That cushion was needed as Louth transpired to lose control in the final quarter of the game.
After nineteen minutes, James Naughton eventually got Limerick off the mark with a free and from that resultant kick out substitute Brian Donovan cut the gap to two points with a punishing goal.
McConnon’s third point and response was vital for Louth. As Limerick roared back and made it a one point game thanks to Naughton free again and a Cathal Downes point.
The slender margin kept Louth’s nose in front and replacements Tommy Durnin and Conal McCaul hit the target to secure the hard earned points for wee county.
Louth: Peter McStravick; Dan Corcoran (1-00), Peter Lynch (0-01), Donal McKenny; Conall McKeever, Niall Sharkey (0-01), Leonard Grey; Conor Early, Ciaran Murphy; Anthony Wiliams, Ciarán Downey (0-01), Tom Jackson (0-01); Conor Grimes, Sam Mulroy (0-06, 0-05f), Daire McConnon (0-03).
Subs: Craig Lennon for Williams (ht), Tommy Durnin (0-01) for Early (61), Conal McCaul (0-01) for Downey (70), Bevan Duffy 6 for McKeever (74).
Limerick: Donal O’Sullivan; Sean O’Dea, Brian Fanning, David Connolly;Iain Corbett (0-01), Cillian Fahy, Tony McCarthy; Colm McSweeney (0-02), Cathal Downes (0-01); Adrian Enright (0-01), Gordon Brown (0-01), Cian Sheehan (0-01); Paul Maher; James Naughton (0-03, 0-03f), Hugh Bourke (0-02).
Subs: Peter Nash (0-01) for Maher (ht), Brian Donovan (1-00) for Enright (44), Killian Ryan for Brown (55), Mike Donovan for Connolly (60), Davy Lyons for McCarthy (65), Jim Liston for C Downes, 68mins.
Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan)
