Two poachers' finishes earned Louth a valuable second win in Division 2 over gutsy neighbours Down at Integral GAA grounds in Drogheda.
Ryan Burns was quickest to react to namesake Ronan Burns spillage in the Down goal early in the first half.
While, midway through the second period, Kieran McArdle instinctively nipped ahead of his marker to find the back of the net for his first major for his county.
The two goals were crucial and proved to be the difference in the thrilling affair. Louth roared on by their noisy home support smelt blood in that third quarter but had to hold on to a late Down surge in the tense finale.
Down's Danny Magill’s attempt at a swirled cross field pass was caught in the wind and opened the matches scoring.
The two pointer settled the travelling side but the intention to drop the ball on top of Odhran Murdock at full forward was a ploy that kept the Louth defence honest.
So much so, Down hit four from beyond the arc in the opening half. The wind was a factor, Conor Laverty’s side were intent on using that to their advantage and shot frequently with little or no build up play.
Louth, back in white, looked to their opening day win in the blanc jersey as a good omen. Ger Brennan willing to try anything to get another precious victory, perhaps.Having started slowly, the hosts found the net to level the game, Ryan Burns on hand to keep Louth fortuitously in touch from a short Sam Mulroy effort that Ronan Burns failed to deal with.
Mulroy would give Louth a brief lead shortly after that from a free but Down would push back and so would the in-form Mulroy before the end of the first half.Seven points from five shots in a row had Down coasting with a double score lead.
Niall McDonnell also forced into action with a point blank save. Louth with only one win under their belts have been resilient this season and they did respond.
It all hinged off a Sam Mulroy turnover and scrap for possession around the middle of the field, it lifted the crowd and suddenly Louth put the conditions behind them and got motoring.
Mulroy hit three in succession scores after that to importantly cut the gap to three points at half time 0-13 to 1-07.
With the wind at their backs for the second half Louth were confident with their lot, while Conor Laverty would rue that defensively lapse before the half time whistle.Mulroy and Louth methodically levelled upon the restart with two frees but his two point free gave the hosts the impetus to take control.
McArdle found the net shortly after to push the tie beyond the Mourne men.Laverty’s side did outscore Louth by four points in the final quarter but the cushion allowed the Wee county to hang on.
Odhran Murdock did have a final chance to level but it would have been undeserved.
LOUTH: Niall McDonnell; Dan Corcoran, Dermot Campbell, Donal McKenny;Daire Nally, Peter Lynch, Liam Jackson (0-01), Tommy Durnin (0-01), Ciaran Byrne; Andy McDonnell (0-01), Ciaran Keenan (0-01), Conor Grimes; Kieran McArdle (1-00), Sam Mulroy (0-10, 1 tpf, 0-04f, 0-01 '45), Ryan Burns (1-02, 1 tp).
Subs: Daire McConnon (0-01) for Keenan (38),Paul Mathews for McDonnell (50), Anthony Williams for Lynch (55), Tom Jackson for Byrne (57), Leonard Grey for L Jackson (66)
DOWN: Ronan Burns; Peter Fegan, Ryan McEvoy, Paddy McCarthy; Pierce Laverty, Daniel Guinness (0-04, 1 tp), Miceal Rooney; Pat Havern (0-07, 1 tp, 0-03f), Aaron McClements; Danny Magill (0-03, 1 tp), James Guinness, Shay Millar; Ceilum Doherty (0-02, 1 tp), Odhran Murdock (0-01) , Conor McCrickard (0-02).
Subs: Oisín Savage (0-02, 0-01f) for Millar (43), Adam Crimmins for McClements (46), Eugene Branagan for Magill (56), Conor Francis (0-01) for J Guinness (58).
Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan)
