Louth have kept their promotion hopes alive with a magnificent one point away victory to Down in Páirc Esler.
The defeat in Newry also condemns Down to another season in Division 3 next year. With Westmeath and Laois picking up wins today, Down lost out with an inferior score difference regardless of Louth and Westmeath’s re-fixture next weekend.
Sam Mulroy lead the line on the day for Louth, as well as being the focal point for the Wee County’s attacks, the full forward’s accuracy with five well taken free’s in a period of eight unanswered scores either side of the break proved to be the games difference.
The elements were favouring the home side and they duly took advantage. Ryan Johnston and Conor Poland using the wind perfectly with two terrific long range scores early into the half.
However, Louth would soon settle with Declan Byrne landing a neat point on the turn to open their account. Caolan Mooney used his trademark pace to create a goal chance out of nothing. With the whole heart of the Louth defence parting, Mooney blazed through and blazed over the bar.
Mooney’s point on the tenth minute would be their last of the half. The hosts seemed happy to allow Louth to have possession. Louth in turn, were more than comfortable with those battle lines and got their noses in front at the break.
James Califf and a brace of free’s from Sam Mulroy made it 4-3 after some clever attacking play and aerial domination around the middle of the field. In truth Louth should have been further ahead, Down goalkeeper Rory Burns made an excellent save to deny Byrne.
The crucial miss didn’t dampen Louth’s spirits as they stuck five in concession after the restart.Midfield pairing Tommy Durnin and James Califf stamped their authority on proceedings with well taken points.
Sam Mulroy now well and truly in the groove with the wind at his back, comfortably pointed three free’s as the visitors stretched their lead to a deserved six points.
Darren O’Hagan came up from wingback to score a goal after substitute Connaire Harrison did well to keep the ball alive after a Donal O’Hare free. The goal was Down’s first movement on the scoreboard in 43 minutes.
That major handed Down a lifeline in the game and when Louth Corner back Fergal Donohoe pointed in the next attack, the precious score proved to be the winner.
Louth hung on in the games frantic close with Down rallying back with three unanswered scores, but couldn’t find the crucial leveller or indeed a way out of Division three. Louth and Westmeath will now play what is effectively a league semi final next weekend.
Down: Rory Burns; Kevin McKernan, Ruairi Wells, Ryan McAleenan; Darren O’Hagan (1-01), Colm Flanagan, Pierce Laverty; Johnny Flynn, Caolan Mooney (0-01); Ryan Johnston (0-01), Conor Poland (0-01), Daniel Guinness; Jerome Johnston, Donal O’Hare, Barry O’Hagan.
Subs: Paul Devlin (0-01) for C Flanagan (30); Cory Quinn for J Johnston (HT); Stephen Fegan for P Laverty (HT); Brendan McArdle for R Wells (46); Connaire Harrison (0-01) for B O’Hagan (49).
Louth: Fergal Sheekey; Fergal Donohoe (0-01), Emmet Carolan, James Craven; Anthony Williams, Bevan Duffy, John Clutterbuck; Tommy Durnin (0-01), James Califf (0-02); Jim McEneaney, Ciaran Downey, Conor Branigan; Andy McDonnell, Sam Mulroy (0-05, 0-05f), Declan Byrne (0-01).
Subs: Eoghan Duffy for C Branigan (55); Derek Maguire for J Clutterbuck (55); Conor Early for J Califf (61); Conall McKeever for A McDonnell (61); Ryan Burns for J McEneaney (70).
