With their third Allianz Football League Division 2 win in a row, depleted Louth have put themselves right in the promotion mix with another impressive home win, this time against leaders Derry at Defy Páirc Mhuire.
Short five starters, the home side were full value for their four-point victory.
Louth goalkeeper Niall McDonnell put a halt to the Oak Leaf comeback with an inspired performance and second-half penalty save from Shane McGuigan.
Yet it was another McDonnell, Tadhg, off the bench, who provided the spark the hosts needed to get over the line with three points.
Louth began in the same vein as they did in their last win on Ardee soil three weeks ago, with the toss.
Choosing to go with the wind again, the hosts built up a solid lead and laid foundations by half-time.
Midfielder Dara McDonnell at six has been a revelation of a switch by Gavin Devlin. Bossing the game and setting the tone, Louth took control of the scoreboard with his opening score.
Derry had the majority of the ball but a lack of thrust and the concession of an early goal had their minds scrambling. Conor Glass did land a point after ten minutes, but Sam Mulroy wiped that out with his third goal of Louth's campaign from the penalty spot seconds later.
With the lead, Niall McDonnell was the busier of the two goalkeepers, but it suited Louth to soak the pressure up and counter with aplomb.
Two orange flags from Mulroy and Paul Mathews had Louth in pole position for another upset.
Ciaran Meenagh’s troops were finding their bearings and Brendan Rogers especially, was looking like their only avenue into the game.
Rogers pointed before the interval to leave seven between the sides 1-07 to 0-04, but his probing runs were an ongoing problem for Louth throughout.
The Derry onslaught came and went as quick in the third quarter. Paul Cassidy narrowed the gap to three with a two-pointer.
However with the three McDonnell’s not related to each other, on song, Louth held firm for a promotion tilt the next day out against Kildare. Derry too, remain in the hunt on the final day against Cavan
Louth: Niall McDonnell; Emmett Carolan, Dermot Campbell, Daire Nally; Conall McKeever (0-01), Dara McDonnell (0-03, 1tp), Eoghan Callaghan; Tommy Durnin, Conor Early; Paul Mathews (0-02, 1tp), Sam Mulroy 1-06 (1tp, 0-01f, 1-00 pen), James Maguire; Ciaran Keenan, Conall McCaul (0-01), Kieran McArdle (0-02)
Subs: Tadhg McDonnell (0-03, 1tp) for Maguire (43), Donal McKenny for E Callaghan (58), Sean Callaghan for Durnin (62), Conor Branigan for D McDonnell (63), Sean Reynolds 0-01 for McCaul (65)
Derry: Shea McGuckin, Diarmuid Baker, Ruairi Forbes, Shea Downey, Conor Doherty, Gareth McKinless, Padraig McGrogan, Conor Glass (0-03, 1tp), Brendan Rogers (0-01), Ethan Doherty (0-01), Shane McGuigan, Dan Higgins; Paul Cassidy (0-02, 1tp), Niall Loughlin (0-07, 1tpf, 1f), Lachlan Murray (0-01)
Subs: Niall Toner for S Downey (47), Matthew Downey (0-02, 1tp) for Higgins (53), Eoin McEvoy (0-01) for Forbes (57), Sean Young for E Doherty (62)
Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)
