Sean Reynolds masterclass secures huge win for Louth U20 footballers

Eirgrid Leinster U20 Football Championship Group 2 Rd3

Louth 2-12 Wicklow 2-11

Dan Bannon in Stabannon

Seán Reynolds did what he always does on his local field, lashed balls into the back of the net. Only this time it was a Leinster under 20 championship match.

His second half performance against Wicklow was one for the ages and ended the county's ridiculous wait for their first win at this age grade.

The Stabannon youngster has a knack for seizing the big moments in games. Call it maturity, call it a wonderful GAA IQ, but wrapped in a laid back persona that shields his relenting drive to win, Reynolds is dynamite.

With the game in the melting pot after what looked set to be another terrible loss at this level, Reynolds swung the momentum in his side's favour.

Louth were nine down before half time and once Kieran McArdle got the scoreboard ticking over, Reynolds punished Wicklow’s jitters in a thrilling finale.

A smash and grab comeback was a fine way to end a losing streak, but the young reds will now play Kildare this Tuesday night. Objective achieved.

Managers Christy Grimes and Derek Walsh rang in the changes with the O’Raghallaigh’s Daniel Reilly and Hunterstown Rovers full back Cillian Taaffe coming in from the start. However, the tactical setup was more striking and profound.

Going back to their more accustomed set up that they used during the league, Louth were better equipped to attack. Having more men inside and a loaded half back line allowed them to create overloads and attack.

It gave the Louth youngsters more freedom to express themselves and they played with more abandon in the remarkable second half as a result. 

Getting away from 15 men behind the ball flicked the switch in the players mindsets nearly before the game began. You have to remember that these players are so early in their careers and not everything happens automatically. Case in point, the first two outings and the first half.

Before going any further, it must be stated that Wicklow had a significant breeze in the first half, but Louth settled quicker against it. There would be no surprise in the fact both Harry Butterly and Reynolds, back on home soil, got Louth up and running.

Reynolds first point was one of defiance, driving it over the bar into a gale. That was Louth’s second lead in the game, but they would not score for another 20 minutes. Joe Prendergast levelled and ignited a 1-7 scoring run for the visitors.

Prendergast found the net at the beginning of the run and off that confidence Alan Costello’s forwards feasted.

Cornermen Conor Fee and JP Nolan looped round into space and found the target and when wingback James Boland put them nine ahead it looked more than bleak for the young reds.

Playing at wing back facing the ball, Liam Flynn was one bright spark for Louth in the opening half. Just before half time he finished off a fine solo run by himself to crucially make it 1-8 to 0-3 at half time. Breaking that psychological barrier was important for what was to come.

Beanón Corrigan came in and straight away had an impact with a long score. Tommy Keogh however was able to keep Wicklow’s scoreboard ticking over enough to squash a fightback. Louth also looked to be aiding the visitors also.

With Harry Butterly replaced at half time, Louth had no set free taker. Corrigan, Reynolds, Dara McDonnell all stepped up and missed before McArdle took the reins and knocked over three in a row to five. Kyle McElroy came in at half time too and his energy allowed the home side to counter. 

After Keogh’s second point of the half Louth took over. Josh Finlay denied Tom Harrington and McElroy’s luck was out when a failed effort clipped the posts and rebounded out of his reach.

McArdle scored from play, and Tadhg McDonnell countered to point too. Reynolds was the target man now in the full forward line and was a constant menacing presence to Wicklow’s rearguard, fighting and diving to keep balls in play with a childlike joy.

Finally, the breakthrough came. With the pressure building, Reynolds rounded the goalie to find the net. That dragged the score to the minimum, but in typical underdog fashion Corrigan was red carded for a kick in the build-up to the goal.

With 14 men, Louth used it to their advantage and just went for the win. Reynolds levelled with a stunning mark and then what looked to be a morale victory turned into real victory.

Wicklow midfielder Dan Cooney netted after Conor Fee found the target and that looked to be that. Season over. But Finlay kept his composure and found Cameron Maher on the restart and Maher drove in a long left footed ball which his joint manager would be proud of.

On the turn, Reynolds read the flight of the ball all the way. His catch was so crisp, and he spun round and lashed it home in the same movement. Louth full back Cillian Taafe then attempted to play another direct ball in, but such was Wicklow’s disarray it bounced over the bar to level.

Louth needed the win; a draw would have suited Wicklow. Well into added time, on his left foot, six years and nine attempts at an U20 victory was ended by Reynolds.

LOUTH: Josh Finlay; Fionn Tipping, Cillian Taaffe (0-1), Mark Holohan; Liam Flynn (0-1), Tadhg McDonnell (0-1), James Rogers; Dara McDonnell, Seán Callaghan; Daniel Reilly, Seán Reynolds (2-3, 0-1 mark), Harry Butterly (0-1); Tom Mathews, Kieran McArdle (0-4, 0-3 frees), Darragh Dorian. SUBS: C Maher for Rogers (18), B Corrigan (0-1) for D Reilly (HT), K McElroy for H Butterly (HT), B Gartlan for Dorian (49).

WICKLOW: Jack Sargent; Adam Byrne, Luke O’Brien, Adam Kinsella; James Boland (0-1), Matt Nolan, Austin Brennan; Dan Cooney (1-0), Jack Kirwan; Joe Pendergast (1-2), Liam O’Neill (0-1), Tim Harrington (0-1); Conor Fee (0-2, 0-1 frees), Tommy Keogh (0-2), JP Nolan (0-2). SUBS: C Deering for Boland (48), S Doyle for Harrington (52), N Sheahan for Keogh (54).

REF: Patrick Coyle (Meath)