Louth U20 team humbled as wait for a first win at the grade continues

Eirgrid Leinster U20 Football Championship 

DUBLIN 2-16 LOUTH 0-7

It was a chastening night for the young reds as Dublin safely sealed their place in the Eirgrid U20 Leinster semi-final after a sparkling 15-point victory. The Wee County are yet to win at this grade since the change in age back in 2018 and now stands at eight attempts 

Despite the loss, Louth are not out of things yet and can progress as high as second place with a final round win over Wicklow this Tuesday night.

Focusing the young minds after an agonising draw the first day, followed by a trimming will take some work from joint managers Christy Grimes and Derek Walsh.

The visitors struggled for a foothold throughout the game in Parnell Park as Jim Lehane’s young sky blues were rampant at times and in no mood for charity. And after beating Wicklow in the opening round themselves, they topped the group with a round to spare.

Joe Quigley slotted home a 42nd minute penalty to all but seal the one-sided contest at that early stage of the second half. Mark Holohan hauling down Darragh Dempsey. Having saved a spotkick the week previous, Josh Finlay could not deny Quigley.

Once again fine performances from senior panellists Seán Reynolds and Kieran McArdle kept Louth somewhat competitive at times. Dara McDonnell and James Rogers too put in a promising shift against the turbulent tide. All of whom are eligible for next season.

Needing to take every chance, Tom Matthews' early gift was spurned. Harry Butterly gave Louth the early advantage with a ’45.

A ball over the top was expertly taken by the Kevin's man but after he rounded Andrew Smyth, a goal looked certain, but his effort was saved off the line by a covering Alex Gavin. That summed up the night as Dublin’s hunger ravaged Louth’s brittle confidence.

Much like Sunday’s league play off between the two counties, the wee county sat deep, soaked up the pressure and tried to contain Dublin. With fifteen players camped behind the ball and the counter attacks not finding the target, it soon became a long night.

And once Luke Breathnach went up the gears, Louth’s hopes completely faded. The young Ballinteer St Johns full forward was asked into Dessie Farrell’s squad last season, but he reneged the offer.

 We could easily well see the powerful marksman later in the season for the senior side, such was his quality on the night. Breathnach had five in the first half alone. Pace, power and balance, he had it all and Louth had no answers.

Josh Finlay smothered Darragh Dempsey’s low shot but there would be no reprieve for the visitors. The hosts struck seven points in a row. Dempsey registered a superbly taken athletic mark before tapping over his first score.

With Breathnach showing his full array of wares from play and especially from marks, Louth’s packed defence was unable to cope. Corner forward Joe Quigley made sure the inside line had all found the range in the opening half with a free.

Louth substitute Kyle McElroy played in the O’Byrne Cup fixture between the two sides last season and he landed two fine frees before half time provided something for Louth to hang on to.

That pair of scores saved face coming into the break. With the scores 0-9 to 0-3 at half time, there would be no coming back.

Captain Conor Dolan decisively wiped-out McDonnell’s long range effort from the throw-in to resume control.

Tom Brennan added to his tally with two in a row from the left wing as the Dubs rattled off 1-4 with ease. Quigley then stepped up to ultimately kill the game with a penalty after Dempsey was hauled down.

Two McArdle frees and a fine long range drive from Cameron Maher, who is also available next year, tried to add some gloss to proceedings but late replacement Caelum Moriarty found the net with the last kick of the game for Dublin after Breathnach unmercifully lead the way all evening.

Dubs prove a bridge too far as Louth denied a fairytale finish

Louth ladies defeated by four points with a late heartbreaker goal

Dublin: Andrew Smyth; Eoghan O'Connor Flanagan, Theo Clancy, Evan Nugent; Alex Gavin, James Cotter, Dan O'Leary; Ethan Dunne, Greg McEneaney (0-1); Conor Dolan (0-1), Luke Ward, Tom Brennan (0-3); Darragh Dempsey (0-2,1m), Luke Breathnach (0-7, 3m, 1f)), Joe Quigley (1-1, 1-0pen,1f).

Subs: Michael McDonald for Dunne (44), Seamus Smith (0-1) for Ward (47), Caelum Moriarty (1-0) for Brennan (52), Kalem O''Brien for Breathnach (55), Dara McGrath for Cotter (57)

Louth: Josh Finlay; Mark Holohan, Beanón Corrigan, Fionn Tipping; Cameron Maher (0-1), Seán Reynolds, Tadhg McDonnell; Dara McDonnell (0-1), Seán Callaghan; James Rogers, Kieran McArdle (0-02, 2f), Liam Flynn; Harry Butterly (0-01,1'45) Tom Mathews, Darragh Dorian.

Subs: Cillian Taaffe for Flynn (24) Kyle McElroy (0-2,2f) for Dorian (24), Daniel Reilly for Butterly (47), Ben Gartlan for Maher (55).

Referee: Keith O'Brien (Westmeath)