Louth minors begin campaign with a well-earned victory away to Laois

Louth got their Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Football Championship campaign off to a perfect start with a well-earned victory over Laois in their opening game.

Playing with the wind at their backs in the first half, Louth took full advantage of the conditions, racing into an eight-point lead by the break, a gap they would never relinquish.

They opened the scoring in fortunate fashion when Cian Rooney’s effort looped over Laois goalkeeper Conor Dunne, setting the tone for a dominant start.

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Conal Mannion followed up with two quickfire points, giving Louth an early 1-2 to no-score lead inside the first four minutes.

Laois responded with two points of their own through Cian O'Sullivan and Sean Rowan, but Louth showed their composure and control by rattling off six unanswered scores.

Connell Kelly converted a free and a 45', while two-pointers from Tadhg Devaney and Kelly stretched the gap further. Kelly’s second effort came after Louth capitalized on a Laois kick-out and then punished their opponents for breaking the three-back rule.

Laois kept battling, with O'Sullivan adding another free and Finn Dawson coming forward from half-back to point, but Louth finished the half strongly.

Further scores from Kelly and Cillian McQuillian saw them head into the dressing room in a commanding position, leading 1-10 to 0-5.

Laois, now playing with the wind, attempted to mount a comeback, reducing the gap early in the second half. Ultan Dunne pointed from a mark, followed by another O'Sullivan free and a superb effort from Rowan.

However, Louth responded well to keep their opponents at arm’s length. McQuillan and Andrew O'Reilly notched key points to restore a seven-point advantage entering the final quarter.

Laois kept pushing, with Rowan scoring twice more, but Kelly was once again on hand to keep Louth in control. Dunne managed to reduce the deficit to six with a deflected two-pointer, but Louth kept their composure in the closing stages.

Kelly rounded off a brilliant personal display with two more late scores before O'Sullivan landed the final point of the game. It was a deserved six-point victory for Louth, who made the journey back up the M7 with two valuable points in the bag.

SCORERS

Louth: Connell Kelly 0-8 (one two-pointer free, 0-1 free, 0-1 45'), Cian Rooney 1-0, Tadhg Devaney (two-pointer), Conal Mannion and Cillian McQuillan 0-2 each, Andrew O'Reilly 0-1.

Laois: Cian O'Sullivan 0-5 (0-3 frees), Sean Rowan (0-1 free) 0-4, Ultan Dunne 0-2 (0-1 mark), Finn Dawson 0-1.

LOUTH: Senon Connolly; Finn McEneaney, Ciaran Titley, Rian Hickey; Michael McGlew, Tadhg Devaney, Conor Marron; Tom Maguire, Cillian McQuillan; Oisin Reidy, Andrew O’Reilly, Conal Mannion; Cian Rooney, Jack Martin, Connell Kelly. Subs: Senan Hoey for Martin (45 mins), Niall McCreesh for Mannion (47 mins), Ruairi Carpenter for Reidy (60 mins)

LAOIS: Conor Dunne; Sean Powders, Sean Maher, Conor Moran; Finn Dawson, Fionnan Brennan, Bobby Rowan; Joe Larkin, Mark O’Connor; David Timmons, Cian O’Sullivan, Sean Michael Ward; Sean Moran, Ultan Dunne, Sean Rowan. Subs: Jack Doyle for Ward (HT), Tadhg Slattery for S Moran (40 mins), Ben Peacham for Timmons (52 mins).

Referee: Lee Moore (Kildare)