Inside Track: Inniskeen win keeps Louth in Division Two and denies Meath promotion

Thank-you, Cork. Maybe feeling just a little down for the hiding they gave Louth at Páirc Ui Chaoimh the previous Sunday, the Rebels travelled to Breffni Park on Sunday, and by beating cavan did the Wee County the biggest of favours.

No thanks to our Faneside neighbours, though. Had Monaghan beaten Down, as they were very short odds to do, nothing that happened at Inniskeen’s Grattan Park, where Louth engaged Meath, would have mattered. Louth’s place in Division Two of the league would have been secured.

But the promotion-chasing Farneys got beaten, even though the game was played at the venue they like most, Clones’ St Tiernach’s Park. Of course they were triers – at stake for them was a quick return to the Division One, which they had vacated after last year’s competition.

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Lucky for them, they did enough in other games to win promotion, going back to the top tier along with the other relegated side at the end of the 2024 competition, Roscommon. Louth wouldn’t have been foremost on Monaghan minds trotting on to St Tiernach’s – they had their own agenda.

So, too, had Louth. Beat the Royals for the third time in four meetings, incorporating league and championship, and you have a chance. The Reds did it, in very convincing fashion, but still needed was a good Cork result at Breffni.

Not only did Louth oust their Boyneside neighbours, winning by 1-19 to 0-17, it was done with their talisman looking on from the sideline. Injury had the team’s leading scorer and captain, Sam Mulroy sitting among the subs, never likely to play a part.

But those who were in the red jersey rose to the occasion in glorious fashion, routing the Royals in the opening half when supported by the wind, and then defending gallantly when the load came on after the break.

This was a heart-warming performance from Ger Brennan’s students against a side vying for a place in the top division. In the absence of Mulroy, they were asked to step up, and this they did in impressive fashion.

What was delivered in Cork the previous week was at best lack-lustre – this time the fire was back in the bellies, Brennan, no doubt, having asked for players to put it on the line at midweek training sessions. The answer was emphatic.

The youthful Kieran McArdle came in with a brilliant first half goal, and when there were frees to be knocked over, Ryan Burns answered the call. Ciarán Downey and sub, Conor Branigan, were also to the fore up front.

All that was achieved in the opening half, however, would have counted for nothing had the backs not come in with something similar after the break. As expected, Meath applied fierce pressure, cutting a one-time 11-point Louth lead to just four points at one stage.

But the goal they so badly needed was denied them, Louth coming out best in a couple of goalmouth scrambles, and at other times cutting off the route to Niall McDonnell’s goals.

More was taken from midfield than in previous matches, but it’s still an area that needs improving ahead of the championship. That said, Tommy Durnin was magnificent working like a trooper and being involved in most of what was good for his team.

The opener in the knock-out is against Wexford or Laois, and if successful there, the Reds will meet the winners of Kildare and Westmeath in the semi-final.

Negotiating those two hurdles will guarantee Louth a place in the All-Ireland. Failure, and it will be the county’s first taste of Tailteann Cup football.

There’s a good feeling in the county following Sunday’s win – making it to the Leinster final will ramp things up. The return of Mulroy and Craig Lennon will have fans buzzing.

For now, there’s the retention of Division two status to be celebrated. It was achieved with the sweetest of the three wins Louth had since the end of January.

Before the seniors take to the field against Wexford, the under-2Os go to war in their championship, playing Longford in a first match in the league serious at Darver tomorrow night.

Maintaining a place in the league’s Division Two – maybe going higher – and making an impact in the senior championship will greatly depend on fresh faces becoming available. Get along to Darver to see what manager, Fergal Reel, has at his disposal this year. They’re showing huge promise.