Opening day victory for Louth against the Faithful County

Gavin Devlin got his Louth National Football League campaign off to the perfect start with a five-point victory over Offaly at Glenisk O’Connor Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Wee County overturned a half-time margin to secure the win that was capped by a decisive Sam Mulroy goal. The captain opened the scoring with a first-minute free, before Dan Molloy quickly responded for the Faithful County with a fisted point.

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The home side then began to flex their muscles as Aaron Leavy and Molloy both landed excellent two-pointers as Offaly opened up an early advantage.

Ciarán Murphy and Keith O’Neill added to the tally as Offaly raced into an 0-8 to 0-5 lead, but Louth, however, remained composed.

Ryan Burns, Peter Lynch and Conor Grimes kept the scoreboard ticking over, while Craig Lennon’s accuracy from play ensured the visitors never allowed the gap to grow.

A productive spell around the 20-minute mark saw Louth draw level through points from Dara McDonnell and Ciarán Downey, but Offaly again responded as Murphy struck another two-pointer, and Diarmuid Egan and Jordan Hayes added scores.

Despite several wides from both sides, Offaly finished the half strongly with O’Neill, Hayes and Eoin Sawyer all on target before the interval.

Half time: Offaly 0-14 Louth 0-11

With the second half breeze now in their favour, Louth emerged for the second half with purpose. Although O’Neill extended Offaly’s lead early on with a free, the visitors soon found their rhythm.

Downey opened Louth’s second-half account before Conor Early and Lennon landed back-to-back two-pointers in a brilliant three-minute burst to push them in front.

Cormac Egan briefly restored parity for Offaly, but Louth were now in full flow as Dara McDonnell pointed them ahead.

Paul Mathews surged through the middle and picked out Mulroy before the All-Star drilled the ball low into the corner of the net. Murphy and Hayes chipped away at the deficit for Offaly, and O’Neill remained reliable from placed balls.

Lynch, substitute Tadhg McDonnell, and the returning Donal McKenny all struck fine points for Louth, while Mathews tagged on a late score. O’Neill’s final free reduced the margin, but Louth held firm to close out a deserved victory.

The result will give the Reds plenty of confidence as they prepare for next week’s Division Two, Round Two clash against Cork at DEFY Pairc Mhuire, Ardee.

Full time: Offaly 0-19 Louth 1-21.

Offaly: Seán O'Toole; Shane O'Toole-Greene, David Dempsey, Lee Pearson; Cormac Egan (0-1), Jordan Hayes (0-2), Diarmuid Egan (0-1); Jack McEvoy, Aaron Leavy (0-2, 1tp); Ciarán Murphy (0-4, 1tp), Keith O'Neill (0-5 (2f, 1tp), Rory Egan; Dan Molloy (0-3, 1tp), Jack Bryant, Eoin Sawyer (0-1).

Subs: Seán Conway on for Dan Molloy (59’), Darragh Flynn for Jack Bryant (64’).

Louth: Niall McDonnell; Emmett Carolan, Dermot Campbell, Donal McKenny (0-1); Conall McKeever, Peter Lynch, (0-2) Craig Lennon (0-5, 1tp); Dara McDonnell (0-2), Conor Early (0-2, 1tp); Paul Mathews (0-2), Ciarán Keenan, Ciarán Downey (0-2); Conor Grimes (0-2), Sam Mulroy (c) (1-1, 1f), Ryan Burns (0-1).

Subs: Eoghan Callaghan on for Conall McKeever (26’), Tadhg McDonnell (0-1) on for Ciarán Downey (55’), Kieran McArdle on for Conor Grimes (62').

Referee: Barry Judge (Sligo).