Louth hurlers on the brink of immediate relegation

Nicky Rackard Cup Round 4

Donegal 2-19 Louth 4-7

Despite a gallant performance, it was another defeat on the road for the Louth hurlers, who are now perilously close to relegation back to the Lory Meagher Cup.

15 wides from the home side coupled with four goals for the Wee County gave them hope of mustering what would’ve been the best result of Paul McCormack’s reign as manager. And despite the loss, there were some positives to take from the performance.

They caused the home side huge problems when they ran directly at them, and Donegal sub keeper Dylan Lafferty had an uncomfortable afternoon. His unfortunate error leading to one of Louth’s second half goals. 

But it took a moment of sheer magic from corner forward Ruairi Campbell to turn this game Donegal’s way on 52 minutes, in what was largely a very scrappy affair.

He fielded a high ball and left two markers in his wake, before first timing the sliotar to the net to put the Ulster side 13 in front, 2-16 to 1-6. 

But each and every score was needed as the Wee County, who failed to score for 20 minutes in the second half, stormed back through goals from Tom Matthews and Sean Hodgins. Hodgins was very unlucky not to land a fifth three-pointer, his screamer hitting the crossbar in the final moments. 

Donegal ended up hanging on for a six point win. One which leaves them in the final with a week to spare, but more crucially in these parts sees Louth rooted to the bottom of the table. They will need a final day victory to have any hope of survival now.

The home team had a super start to the afternoon when classy corner forward Ruairi Campbell dispossessed his marker and struck a fabulous point after just 12 seconds. 

But soon after they were rocked as Louth hit back in spades when wing forward Tom Matthews speared through a crowded defence and smashed home the sliotar to the net on two minutes. 

McKinnney and Declan Coulter levelled matters at 1-1 to 0-4, with Liam Molloy getting Louth’s second point. 

In what looked a reprieve for Louth, the influential Declan Coulter had to go off with a nasty looking thumb injury. However, Danny Cullen came on and was a most steadying influence. 

It got better in the 11th minute when Cullen found team captain Ronan McDermott inside the Louth defence and the Burt man blasted home. Suddenly Donegal were leading by 1-7 to 1-1. They were also racking up the wides as well, hitting 10 in the first half. This kept the contest alive for Louth. 

McKinney and Brian McIntyre were on target for Donegal, while Walsh replied for Louth as the home side led by 1-11 to 1-5 at the break. Six points being a very achievable target to chase down in modern day hurling.

Walsh narrowed the gap to five from an early free as McKinney and McDermott hit two quick fire points for Donegal. 

But they were stung in the 40th minute when keeper Dylan Lafferty batted the ball out to the unmarked Matthews, who took the gift and slammed the sliotar home to leave Donegal leading by 1-14 to 2-6. 

Danny Cullen struck a fine long-range point, before Campbell’s superb strike put Donegal into a 2-16 to 2-6 lead in the 52nd minute. 

But instead of killing this game off, the home side switched off as big gaps appeared in a defence that constantly struggled with the physique and aerial power of Louth. 

Walsh hit Louth’s first score in 20 minutes in the 59th minute. Sub Sean Hodgins was unmarked, and he fired to the net in the 65th minute. Walsh then grabbed another goal in the 64th minute. 

Louth pressed hard from this point onwards, but they just had too much ground to make up as Donegal stuttered home to a six points victory. 

The Wee County end the campaign on the road. They face Armagh this Saturday afternoon in the Athletic Grounds (Throw in 2PM), knowing they realistically need a win to have any hope of avoiding relegation back to the Lory Meagher Cup.

After drawing with Fermanagh, Louth will start the final round at the summit of the table. But even a win may not be enough.

Should Fermanagh also defeat Roscommon, they have a significantly superior scoring difference (-9 vs -33) that would see them avoid the drop.

Both the Orchard County and The Rossies have nothing to play for. They both secured enough points to stay clear of the relegation battle, but are also not in contention for a place in the final. This leaves the door open for Louth or Fermanagh to eke out a win that could see them remain at this tier of hurling.

Donegal: Dylan Lafferty; Gavin Browne, Michael Donaghue, Stephen Gillespie (0-2); Christopher McDermott, Stephen McBride, Bernard Lafferty; Ronan McDermott (1-1), Daire O’Maoileidigh; Conor Gartland (0-1), Declan Coulter (0-2, 0-1 free), Liam McKinney (0-8, 0-2 frees); Ruairi Campbell (1-1), Gerry Gilmore (0-1), Brian McIntyre. Subs: Danny Cullen (0-2) for Declan Coulter (8), Ryan Hilferty for Brian McIntyre (46), Conor O’Grady for Gerry Gilmore (50), Ciaran Bradley for Christopher McDermott (54) Kevin Curran for Daire O’Maoileidigh (0-1) (60). 

Louth: Dan O’Neill; Adam Plunkett, Conor Quigley, Danny Moran; Conall Shaw, Liam Molloy (0-2), Peter Fortune; Mark Gahan, Andrew Macklin; Jamie McDonnell, Ronan Mulholland, Tom Matthews (2-0); Padraig Fallon, Conor Murphy, Ryan Walsh (1-4). Subs: Seaghan Conneely (0-1) for Mark Gahan (25), Sean Hodgins (1-0) for Andrew Macklin (HT), Aaron McGuinness for Conor Murphy (52), Gareth Hall and Jack Murray for Padraig Fallon and Danny Morgan (55).

Referee: James Clarke (Cavan).