Louth record a comeback for the ages in memorable win over Westmeath

Leinster Senior Football Championship

Quarter Final

Louth 2-10 Westmeath 1-11

It is not often you get to be a part of history. And at half time, if wearing red at least, last Sunday in Navan had the feelings of an all too familiar result. Louth once again coming up short in their search for a first Leinster semi-final since 2010.

These were sentiments shared in the press box, as despite great expectations pre game the Wee County looked dead and buried. Another case of them coming up short come championship.

A poor first half, where Louth failed to settle, saw Westmeath open up a huge lead, helped greatly by a late goal from Ronan O’Toole. The way Dessie Dolan’s team countered at pace for this three pointer, showcasing how poor Louth's usually rock solid defence was playing.

Now 1-9 to 0-4 points behind, the eight point gap seemed insurmountable on current form. But Mickey Harte’s side loves to dig deep when their back is against the walls. It led to a half of football that will live long in the memory.

Keeping the Lake County to just two more points, the men in red battled back with 2-6, as they began dominating all over the field. There was more aggression in their tackling, more accuracy in their passing and way more fluidity to their attack. Quite simply, Westmeath just couldn’t cope.

Riled on by a penalty from their returning captain Sam Mulroy, Louth worked extremely hard to get back into contention. And along with a second goal from substitute Liam Jackson they eked out a deserved two-point win and a place in the semi-finals where Offaly now await.

The tie was a slow burner, with both sides taking their time to get into the game. It was all about not making mistakes, keeping the ball for prolonged periods and wating for the right time to strike. And with not real wind advantage, there was a chance for either team to start well.

Back in the team for Louth was captain Sam Mulroy. He was the go to forward for the Wee County, dropping into midfield to win possession when there was kickouts and was also left as the only Louth player in the Westmeath half whenever the Lake County were on the attack.

But it wasn’t exactly a half for him to remember, as he was slow to get back into match mode. He missed out on two goal chances, plus notched a poor wide from play early on.

And since so much of the forward play was centred on him, others around him became isolated, creating little impact on the contest and getting few chances to score.

Meanwhile Westmeath has threats all over the field. They were moving the ball fast, getting the ball in scoring range with accurate passes, knowing they could rely on all their attackers to pounce when required.

Senan Baker was a huge threat on the edge of the square, and when not bagging scores himself he was often the provider. Winning possession before handing it off to others in better positions. And with John Heslin also showing an ability to point from range, the Louth backs were in trouble.

They would end the half having taken 10 of their 12 chances, one being a super save from James Califf while their only wide came as late as 32 minutes, when they already had a five point cushion.

In comparison Louth ended the opening period with just four to their name, having missed three goal chances, notched four wides and dropped another short.

After trading early scores in the first 10 minutes, Niall Sharkey for Louth, Stephen Smith and Baker for Westmeath, the Midlanders soon started to take control of the contest. They hit six of the next eight scores, keeping Louth to just a single free from Mulroy between the 16th and 29th minute.

There were chances for Louth to bite back with goals, Mulroy twice denied from close range by Jason Daly on 13 and 28 minutes respectfully, while Leonard Grey was denied from distance in between these efforts. All could’ve resulted in easy tap over points.

Meanwhile, down the other end there was a vital stop from James Califf on 24 minutes to deny Johnathan Lynam from close range. With two points being the margin of victory come the final whistle, this save ended up being vital to Louth’s cause.

Having had white flags raised via Heslin (2), Ray Connellan, Luke Loughlin (2) and Baker, Dolan’s troops were cruising. Yet Louth still were able to react with efforts from Mulroy and Grimes to stay in contention. However, they were hit with a huge sucker punch just before the break.

Jack Smith forced a turnover that resulted in a lovely 1-2 between Ronan O’Toole and Ronan Wallace. They cut through the middle of a crowded square, with O’Toole the man to bag the crucial goal which meant Westmeath led by eight at the break.

Mickey Harte said afterwards their was no hair dryer treatment in the Louth dressing room, but they did stay inside the Pairc Tailteann dressing room for a lot longer then their opponents, much to the annoyance of Dessie Dolan's team who were left idle waiting for them.

The Wee County were greeted by a huge roar for the large travelling support, and buoyed by their energy and that half time words of encouragement, the men in red were a different animal.

Craig Lennon and Liam Jackson both were introduced and that freshness was a huge help. Louth began to strangle Westmeath into their own half, forcing turnover after turnover around the middle of the park in particular.

O’Toole bagged an early score for Westmeath, but chances were few and far between as the likes of Conor Early, Tommy Durnin, Conor Grimes and Mulroy (enjoying a much better half) began to dictate the game.

Westmeath went scoreless for 16 minute, then again from there until the finish, as the relentless pressure saw Louth close the gap. Mulroy, Grimes and Donal McKenny all pointed before two goals in six minutes from Mulroy and Jackson.

A lovely diagonal ball would find Ryan Burns, who was duly taken down for a penalty that was slotted home by the Louth captain. Then Jackson unleashed a bullet to finish off a team move, leaving the sides all square, 2-7 to 1-10.

While a Heslin free did regain his side’s lead, the Wee County eventually cancelled it out via a beauty from Early. From here there was really only one team in it, as efforts from Early and Mulroy put Louth two in front.

Dolan’s troops did all they could to try and muster up the second goal they so badly needed, but there was no breaking down the Red Wall at this stage. The final whistle coming after Grey won possession from a late Heslin free. Que pandemonium from the Wee County supporters.

Louth now face into a Leinster Semi-final, a first for 13 years when they play Offaly in Croke Park this Sunday afternoon (Throw in 1:45PM). Could this be the start of a first real championship journey for Louth?

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Subs: Liam Jackson (1-0) for Murphy (HT), Craig Lennon for McConnon (HT), Paul Matthews for Burns (50), Anthony Williams for Lynch (61), Conal McCaul for McKeever (68), Oisin McGuinness for Grimes (74).

Westmeath: Jason Daly; Jack Smyth, Kevin Maguire, Jamie Gonoud; David Giles, Ronan Wallace, David Lynch; am Duncan, Ray Connellan (0-1); Johnathan Lynam, Ronan O’Toole (1-1), Stephen Smith (0-1); Luke Loughlin (0-2, 0-1 45’), John Heslin (0-4, 0-2 frees), Senan Baker (0-2). Conor McCormack for Smith (50), James Dolan for Gonoud (61) Darragh Seery for Wallace (64), Lorcan Dolan for Duncan (65).

Referee: James Molloy (Galway)