Louth open National Hurling League campaign with win away to Armagh

Louth began their National Hurling League Division Three campaign in confident fashion with a five-point victory over Armagh at the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds this afternoon.

The Wee County showed plenty of composure to weather a late Armagh fightback before sealing the result with a decisive goal in stoppage time to emerge five-point winners.

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Louth struck the first blow inside the opening 30 seconds when Darren Geoghegan converted a close-range free to set the tone.

Armagh responded through Jack Loughran, who levelled matters from a free before the hosts briefly moved ahead through points from Barry Shortt and a fine long-range effort by Dylan McKenna.

However, Louth gradually asserted themselves, with Conor Murphy and debutant Ciarán McKelvey beginning to find space in attack.

McKelvey announced himself with a series of good scores, including a superb catch-and-turn point with ten minutes of the first half remaining.

Geoghegan’s dead-ball excellence helped Louth build momentum, and by half-time they had opened a five-point cushion.

Half time: Armagh 0-8 Louth 0-13

Aaron McGuinness and Stephen Kettle were authoritative in defence, while Seán Conneely and Murphy linked play effectively through the middle third.

The contest shifted again early in the second half as Armagh chipped away at the deficit and were handed further encouragement when Louth were reduced to 14 men following Kyle Rafferty’s dismissal.

Yet even with a numerical disadvantage, the Wee County continued to find scores with Geoghegan again immaculate from frees and McKelvey adding to his tally.

A second red card, this time for Armagh’s Dylan McKenna, levelled the playing field and the home side surged late on.

Four unanswered points brought the home side back into contention before Aaron Cullinane scrambled a goal on 69 minutes to dramatically level the game.

Just as the momentum appeared to have swung decisively, Louth showed their resolve. McKelvey struck twice in quick succession to restore control before delivering the decisive blow to bury a goal to the net and end Armagh’s challenge.

Louth will now look to build on their encouraging opening when they welcome Tyrone next weekend.

Full time: Armagh 1-15 Louth 1-20.

Armagh: Ruairí Fullerton; Stephen O'Keeffe, Paudie Lappin, Darren McMullan; Daire Harvey, Barry Shortt (0-3), Tom Lennon; Odhrán Curry (0-1), Peter McKearney; Jack Loughran (0-7), Dylan McKenna (0-2), Eoin McGuinness; Jack Scallon, Ciarán Duffy, Joe O'Connor.

Subs: Aaron Cullinane (1-1) on for Jack Scallon (31'), Marty Moan on for Ciarán Duffy (47'), Danny Magee on for Eoin McGuinness (50'), Dan Mone on for Darren McMullan (56').

Louth: Conor Clancy (c); Aaron McGuinness, John Casey (0-1), Stephen Kettle; Seán Hodgins, Peter Fortune, Michael O'Shea; Conor Murphy (0-3), Thomas McCreesh; Seán Conneely (0-1), Darren Geoghegan (0-8), Ciarán McKelvey (1-7); Kyle Rafferty, James Costello, Sam Phelan.

Subs: Paddy Lynch on for Sam Phelan (HT), Seán Magill on for James Costello (50'), Mark Gahan on for Thomas McCreesh (69').

Referee: Conor Daly (Kildare).