Louth ease past Wexford to book place in Leinster last four
Louth 1-25 Wexford 0-11
Louth eased into the Leinster Senior Football Championship semi-finals with a comfortable win over Wexford at Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow, on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Backed by a large travelling support, the reigning champions had to settle early nerves before taking control and pulling away with a dominant second-half display.
Wexford started brighter and led by three points inside six minutes, with Mark Rossiter landing an early two-point free.
However, the Wee County gradually found their rhythm, with Conall McCaul opening their account before further scores from Conor Early and McCaul again brought the sides level.
From there, Gavin Devlin's troops moved through the gears as Dara McDonnell edged them in front, and points from captain Sam Mulroy, Paul Mathews and Ciarán Keenan pushed them three clear.
The decisive spell came late in the half, as Keenan and Mulroy both struck two-pointers to send Louth in leading by nine points at the break.
Half time: Louth 0-14 Wexford 0-5
The Reds continued where they left off after the restart as substitute Tadhg McDonnell made an immediate impact with two points, before Early added a two-pointer to stretch the advantage further.
The key moment arrived when substitute Ryan Burns was fouled for a penalty by the goalkeeper, and Mulroy converted the resulting penalty into the net.
Wexford added a handful of points through Rossiter and Michael Kinsella, but the result was never in doubt.
Louth kept the scoreboard ticking with scores from Dara McDonnell, substitute Tadhg McDonnell, Seán Reynolds and Ryan Burns to close out an emphatic win.
A cheer from the Louth support late on followed news of Meath’s defeat to Westmeath, adding to an already positive afternoon for the Wee County who now advance to the last four, where they will face either Dublin in two weeks' time.
Full time: Louth 1-25 Wexford 0-11
Louth: Niall McDonnell; Daire Nally, Dermott Campbell, Donal McKenny; Tadhg McDonnell (0-4), Emmet Carolan, Conal McKeever; Dara McDonnell (0-4), Conor Early (0-3, 1tp); Paul Mathews (0-1), Sam Mulroy (c) (1-4, 1-0pen, 1tp, 2f), Conor Grimes; Ciarán Keenan (0-5, 1tp), Conall McCaul (0-2), Kieran McArdle.
Subs: Ryan Burns (0-1) for Conor Grimes (HT), Tadhg McDonnell for Dermot Campbell (HT), Seán Callaghan for Tommy Durnin (41’), Ciarán Downey (0-1) for Kieran McArdle (46’), Seán Reynolds (0-1) for Ciarán Keenan (60’).
Wexford: William Gaul; Shane Doyle, Gavin Sheehan, Dylan Furlong; Liam O’Connor, Eoin Porter, Glen Malone; Liam Coleman, Niall Hughes; Pairc Hughes, Cathal Kehoe (0-1), Eoghan Nolan (c); Tom Byrne (0-1), Mark Rossiter (0-7), Seán Ryan.
Subs: Seán Barden for Sheehan (HT), Michael Kinsella (0-2) for Seán Ryan (HT), Robbie Brooks for Tom Byrne (50'), Ben Brosnan for Shane Doyle (58'), Darragh Lyons for Liam Coleman (69').
Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan).