Slimline mistakes punished with Louth defeated by one point against Armagh

Allianz Football League Division Two

ARMAGH 0-12
LOUTH 0-11

Two minutes past the additional time allotted, with the final kick of the game, Sam Mulroy’s effort into the wind, tailed left and with that, Louth missed an opportunity to take something from the away trip to Armagh.

The one point defeat in the opening round of the national league at the Athletic grounds was hard to stomach but that score needed to be earned. Mulroy’s inaccuracy defined the tight margins on show in Division 2 this season.

Despite mixing it with the promotion tipped side, Louth will still have trepidation in this campaign going forward. The slimline mistakes were punished and when Armagh upped the ante Louth were found wanting.

All of that said, Louth started and silenced the noisy neighbours with a bright and intelligent start. All the schooling under the previous regime mixed with a greater emphasis on counter attacking hard under Ger Brennan’s tutelage had Louth leading four points to no score.

Paul Mathews and Ciarán Keenan continued fine pre-season form to land the early scores as Louth looked comfortable holding possession and thwarting anything Armagh threw at them - which was very little.

However the difficulties Kieran McGeeney’s side had going forward their runners needed watching and the utmost concentration.

That may explain the unexplainable dip before the half where Louth’s lead was cut to one point. 0-05 to 0—4 at the turn.
Soft free’s from lazy indisciplined tackles from the retreating forwards Keenan and Ryan Burns allowed top scorer Conor Turbitt to generously eat into the lead and leave Louth deflated.

Burns missed an early goal chance when on top, and the weight of defending wore down on the visitors as they coughed up sloppy possession in the wrong areas of the field. Credit must go to the relegated Division 1 side who showed no panic whatsoever.

Louth again started the half with a flurry but like the first half Armagh would steal the round by finishing stronger.

Mulroy nailed two early frees from close range.

Conor Grimes was excellent on the night and finished off a fine move to push Louth 0-08 to 0-04 ahead.

Craig Lennon dazzled on the night, the sight of him catching the ball behind his back before laying off to Grimes for the score was of the highest order. Armagh did not expect or deal with the Mochta’s man searing pace.

With Louth on top, Armagh used the second half breeze to their advantage.

Pressing on debutant Niall McDonnell’s kick out and landing six points in a row. Stefan ‘Soupy’ Campbell punished Louth with three from play in that devastating period.

Brennan will have to watch the tape back to see who was on the Lurgan talisman. A switch to the wing from his inside starting position was a ploy that may have won the points for the Orchard men.

Campbell gave the hosts the lead for the first time in the 54th minute but Louth would show resilience.

Tommy Durnin gained the territory and Downey and Mulroy levelled. Turbitt would then go down the other end and land the match winning brace.

Downey rapidly ate into the deficit off a short McDonnell restart to make it a one point game.

Agonisingly the tie came down to Mulroy not converting and most punishingly of all, Louth came away with nothing from the game but bruises and regrets.

ARMAGH: Blaine Hughes; Peter McGrane, Aidan Forker 0-1, Paddy Burns; Barry McCambridge, Greg McCabe, Ciarán Higgins; Ben Crealey, Ciarán Mackin; Conor O’Neill, Rory Grugan 0-2 (1f), Joe McElroy; Stefan Campbell 0-3, Conor Turbitt 0-5 (3f), Oisín Conaty 0-1.

Subs: Shane McPartlan for Higgins (47). Jarly Óg Burns for McCambridge (54), Jemar Hall for McCabe (67), Oisín O’Neill for Crealey (69), Jason Duffy for Forker (70).

LOUTH: Niall McDonnell; Donal McKenny, Peter Lynch, Dermot Campbell 0-1; Craig Lennon, Anthony Williams, Ciarán Murphy; Conor Early, Tommy Durnin 0-1; Paul Mathews 0-1, Ciarán Keenan 0-1, Conor Grimes 0-1; Ryan Burns 0-1, Sam Mulroy 0-3 (3f), Ciarán Downey 0-2.

Subs: Leonard Grey for Murphy (37-42, temporary), Conall McCaul for Early (54), Grey for Murphy (63), Dylan McKeown for Burns (63), Wayne Campbell for Mathews (69), Kyle McElroy for Keenan (70), Kyle McElroy for Keenan (70).

REF: Thomas Murphy (Galway).