Louth hurlers fall to defeat against the Mournemen

Louth senior hurlers suffered defeat against Down in the Ulster GAA McGuirk Cup quarter-final at a cold PPFS Darver on Thursday night.

In conditions that tested touch, Down made the more clinical start, but the Wee County showed resolve in the second half.

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Louth struck the opening score inside three minutes when Darren Geoghegan punished a Down indiscretion, converting a 65 after a goal chance had been forced wide.

Down responded quickly through Cathal Coleman, and the early exchanges suggested an evenly balanced contest.

Geoghegan’s accuracy from placed balls continued to keep the home side ticking over, but Down’s sharper edge in front of goal proved decisive in the opening period.

The first major blow arrived just after 10 minutes when Liam Brady showed composure to step past Conor Clancy to roll the ball into an empty net.

Three minutes later, after Clancy had done well to save an initial effort, Liam Blaney reacted quickest to fist the rebound home, giving the Mournemen daylight on the scoreboard.

Despite Seán Flynn and Geoghegan keeping Louth within touching distance, Down continued to ask the more probing questions.

A third goal just before the half-hour, which finished from close range by Tiernan Connelly, capped a dominant spell and sent Down in at the interval leading by nine points at the break.

Half time: Louth 0-6 Down 3-6

To Louth’s credit, they refused to let the contest drift after the restart as Geoghegan landed a series of long-range frees, including a superb strike from distance.

While Down maintained their scoring rhythm through the likes of Ben Teggart and Cathal Coleman, the momentum had subtly shifted.

With less than 10 minutes remaining, Geoghegan delivered a perfectly weighted high ball that Conor Murphy gathered in stride before sidestepping the goalkeeper and finishing neatly to the net.

Experience told in the closing stages, with points from Tiernan Connelly, Ben Teggart and Michael Dorrian ensured Down always had just enough.

Louth pushed right to the final whistle with Seán Flynn tagging on a late point to narrow the final margin.

In the end, Down’s first-half efficiency in front of goal proved decisive, but Louth will take considerable encouragement from a spirited second-half display.

Full time: Louth 1-13 Down 3-14

Louth: Conor Clancy; Stephen Kettle, Seán Hodgins, Aaron McGuinness; Peter Fortune, Michael O'Shea, Seán Magill; Darren Geoghegan (0-10 1'65, 7f), Ciaran McKelvey; Conor Murphy (1-0), John Casey, Seán Flynn (0-2); Sam Phelan, Seaghan Conneely, Fionn Cumiskey.

Subs: Mark Gahan on for Fionn Cumiskey (HT), Kyle Rafferty on for Sam Phelan (HT), James Murphy on for Seán Magill (HT), Seán Ryan on for Aaron McGuinness (43').

Down: Cathal Lavery; Ronan Smyth, Tom Murray (0-1), Owen McGreevy; Cillian Ennis, Caolan Taggart, Naill McFarland; Matt Conlon, Seán McCarthy (0-1); Liam Savage (0-1), Michael Dorrians 0-1, Cahal Coleman (0-3, 1’65); Tiernan Connolly (1-1), Ben Christie (0-1), Liam Blaney (2-1).

Subs: Pearse Smyth on for Cathal Lavery (HT), Ben Teggart (0-4, 2f) on for Niall McFarland (HT), Donal Óg Rooney on for Matt Conlon (HT), John Dougan on for Cathal Coleman (HT), Mathew McCabe on for Ben Christie (HT), Patrick McGarry on for Cillian Ennis (HT), Matt Conlon on for Liam Savage (37').