Second half error costs Louth footballers dearly

ALLIANZ NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION 2 ROUND 2

Louth 1-11 Derry 2-11

After two weeks of intense struggles, Mickey Harte must wonder will his side ever get a break. Louth put in another hard-working performance on Sunday afternoon, but it still saw them come out on the wrong side of the result.

The Wee County improved on their loss to Clare in many ways. They were better from their kickouts, were a little more adventurous up front and had more of the ball in Ardee then a week ago in Ennis. But in the end, it proved fruitless, as Derry eked out a narrow three-point win.

The key moments were their two goals. Shane McGuigan both won and buried home an early penalty for his side, while late on Niall Toner took advantage of a mistake by Louth’s newest goalkeeping option Peter McStravick on 58 minutes to eke out a second straight win for Derry.

Louth showcased battling qualities and never gave up throughout this gruelling test. It leaves them with the positive of a huge performance against one of the country’s top sides. But moral victories aren’t going to keep them in Division Two. It’s long road from here to avoid relegation.

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After a fairly even opening, the visitors really took the ascendency on 10 minutes, buoyed by the game’s first goal. Niall Toner launched the ball in towards the square for Shane McGuigan, who did well to win in the air.

However, as he turned for goal he was fouled by two Louth defenders, as referee Paul Faloon pointed to the spot. Standing in his way was new keeper Peter McStravick, a Young Ireland’s clubman that earned his place in the county panel for his exploits as a forward.

He was unable to stop a powerful effort from McGuigan as the Oak Leafers took the lead for the first time. Further points from Paul Cassidy and Padraig McGrogan soon had them 1-4 to 0-2 in front.

To their credit Louth didn’t back down and hit back with 1-1 of their own. A monster point from range came via Conor Grimes, before a little piece of magic from Liam Jackson saw them rattle the net on 22 minutes.

Conor Early won a turnover around the middle and delivered it into the path of Jackson. From a tough starting position in the corner, the young forward duly soloed towards the net before calmly striking the ball under the legs of Derry keeper Odhran Lynch.

While Louth still concentrated on being more solid defensively then being a constant attacking threat, just like they did against Clare, they did at least commit one body in the opposition’s half. A role which floated between the Jackson bros, Daire McConnon and on the odd occasion Sam Mulroy.

Like the Banner a week earlier, this resulted in Derry needing to be patient on the ball and try and work it into scorable positions. But in general, they needed to rely on moving the ball quickly from turnovers to look at their best, as when playing patiently they tended to miss the target.

Louth were swift up top, as they looked to turn defence into attack as quickly as possible. This was achieved with some impressive direct and long passes. When getting it fast, it allowed their soloing game to cut Derry open.

Conor Grimes was playing deep, often acting as an extra midfielder and with McStravick going long more often then not the extra body was a help in their fast moving, counter attacking gameplans.

This part of their game was much improved on the Clare performance, where those around the middle struggled to win the breaks against a high-flying Banner.

Speaking of McStravick, he continued the recent mould of fly keepers. Whenever Louth slowed the play down, he was available as an option should they want to recycle the ball back towards their own goals and was often deployed in this role close to the halfway line.

As the tie drew close to half time Louth regained the lead, as a long-distance effort from Niall Sharkey alongside close range frees from McConnon left them one in front. A late free from Derry via McGuigan did level proceedings, as the teams went into the dressing all square at 1-6 apiece.

The first ten minutes of the second half saw the sides trading scores, via McGuigan and Sam Mulroy. On both occasions it was Louth drawing back the one-point deficit, but they were growing in confidence as the tie wore on. Could they upset the odds against the Ulster Champions?

Their hard-working defenders continued to make life tough for Derry, as they were forcing mistakes and turnovers. Two scores came in this time on top to give them their largest ‘cushion’ of the match. But it could’ve been more.

Derry keeper Odhran Lynch was caught up the field when Grimes intercepted a loose Derry pass. He duly soloed forward at pace, but decided to set up Tom Jackson for an easy score instead of going for a goal into an empy net on 57 minutes.

Seconds later they were punished as Derry regained the lead with a three pointer of their own. McStravick dropped a ball that came short and it was Niall Toner who was quickest to react to this mistake. His powerful effort from close range was no match for the Young Ireland’s clubman.

Under Mickey Harte’s leadership, the Wee County have often found ways to bounce back from setbacks. Sam Mulroy hit back with a point, but it was goals Louth were chasing at this stage.

Two huge opportunities came their way in the final ten minutes of action via Craig Lennon and Ciaran Downey, but on both occasions Odhran Lynch did well to save and clear the danger, while further scores from Toner and Oisin McWilliams put some added gloss on the final score line.

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Louth: Peter McStravick; Dan Corcoran, Dermot Campbell, Donal McKenny; Leonard Grey, Niall Sharkey (0-1), Conall McKeever; Conor Early, Ciaran Murphy; Liam Jackson (1-0), Sam Mulroy (0-3, 0-1 mark, 0-1 free), Tom Jackson (0-2); Ciarán Downey; Conor Grimes (0-1), Daire McConnon (0-3, 0-2 frees). Subs: Craig Lennon (0-01) for L Jackson (51), Peter Lynch for McKenny (64), Tommy Durnin for Murphy (64), Jay Hughes for McConnon (64), Bevan Duffy for Sharkey (75).

Derry: Odhran Lynch; Chrissy McKaigue, Eoin McEvoy, Conor McCluskey; Padraig McGrogan (0-2), Conor Doherty, Paul Cassidy (0-2); Brendan Rogers, Conor Glass; Niall Toner (1-1), Shane McGuigan (1-5, 1-0 pen, 0-3 frees), Ethan Doherty; Benny Heron, Lachlan Murray, Niall Loughlin. Subs: Oisín McWilliams (0-01) for E Doherty (46), Padraig Cassidy for McEvoy (49), Ben McCarron for Loughlin (59), Matthew Downey for Murray (66), Shea Downey for Heron (69).

Referee: Paul Faloon (Down).