Louth overcome Ernesiders in exciting NHL clash

Louth produced a composed display to see-off Fermanagh by four points in an exciting Allianz National Hurling League, Division Three clash at Brewster Park, Enniskillen, on Sunday afternoon.

Andrew Cosgrave’s two goals on his Louth debut proved decisive as the Wee County backed up their opening-round win away to Armagh and recovered from last weekend’s defeat to Tyrone.

READ NEXT: How Dundalk IT scholar and Monaghan GAA player balances college life and GAA success

The Reds exploded out of the blocks with clear intent from the opening exchanges. Although Fermanagh opened the scoring through Seán Corrigan.

The visitors responded with three points in a row before finding the net. Ciarán McKelvey won a puck out from Fermanagh goalkeeper Mark Slevin and finished to the net from close range.

Moments later came a sweeping move involving McKelvey, who released Cosgrave, and the former All-Ireland winner with Limerick finished confidently to the net to give Louth daylight at 2-4 to 0-2.

To their credit, Fermanagh weathered the storm. Corrigan, Dannan McKeogh and captain Ódhrán Johnston steadily chipped away for the Ernesiders.

A string of unanswered points hauled them back into contention, and when Corrigan crashed a shot off the crossbar just before the break.

Half time: Fermanagh 0-12 Louth 2-11

Louth struck early in the second half through Darren Geoghegan’s free to stretch seven points clear.

Then Cosgrave struck again after gathering possession on the run, he surged through the heart of the Fermanagh defence and rifled low to the net.

Fermanagh refused to yield and piled on the pressure with a sustained scoring run. Corrigan was outstanding from play and frees, while McKeogh and Caolan Duffy kept the scoreboard ticking.

Two late goals, the first from a goalmouth scramble and the second finished emphatically by substitute Dylan Bannan, turned the match on its head and suddenly had the home side in front entering the final ten minutes.

Geoghegan steadied Louth's nerves from a free before Seán Flynn drove forward to level matters. Cosgrave then split the posts from distance with a magnificent score that nudged Louth back in front. 

James Costello and Flynn added further points before Geoghegan sealed the deal from another free.

Full time: Fermanagh 2-19 Louth 3-20.

Fermanagh: Mark Slevin; Pádraig Johnston, Caoimhín Heaney, Ciarán Duffy; Ben Corrigan (0-1), Danny Teague (0-1), Thomas Burns; Caolan Duffy (0-2, 1f), Ódhrán Johnston (c) (0-1); Dannan McKeogh (0-5, 5f), Tom Keenan, Cahir McManus; Seán Corrigan (0-7), Eoin Cleary, Jimmy Tormey (0-1).

Subs: Tom Keenan on for Eoin Cleary (21')(0-1), Cahir McManus on for Eamonn Og Magee, Dylan Bannon (1-0) on for Tom Keenan, Darragh Flanagan on for Odhran Johnston.

Louth: Conor Clancy (c); Stephen Kettle, Aaron McGuinness, Seán Hodgins; John Casey, Peter Fortune, Michael O'Shea; Darren Geoghegan (0-5, 5f), Seán Flynn (0-4); Andrew Cosgrave (2-2), Seaghan Conneely, Kyle Rafferty; Conor Murphy (0-2), Ciarán McKelvey (1-3, 1f), Mark Gahan (0-3).

Subs: Paddy Lynch on for Ciarán McKelvey, James Murphy on for Seaghan Conneely, James Costello (0-1) on for Mark Gahan, Seán Magill on for Kyle Rafferty.

Referee: Kevin Parke (Antrim).