Louth's Leinster SFC campaign comes to an end with Dubs defeat

Dublin proved a step too far for Louth as the reigning Leinster champions saw their provincial crown slip away following a ten-point defeat in the Leinster Senior Football Championship semi-final at Laois Hire O’Moore Park, Portloaise on Saturday night.

The Wee County were backed by a huge travelling support and made the perfect start and briefly threatened to turn decades of frustration on its head, but in the end the Dubs’ control, accuracy and composure told.

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Manager Gavin Devlin made five changes from the side that was announced in the matchday programme, with Ryan Burns, Ciaran Downey, Craig Lennon, James Maguire, and Tadhg McDonnell all starting.

There was a late disruption too, with Dermot Campbell coming in after Daire Nally picked up an injury in the warm-up, while Ciarán Keenan had already been ruled out.

It could hardly have begun better when Conor Grimes split the posts with a sweet right-footed effort from Louth’s first attack after just 18 seconds.

Dublin responded quickly through Paddy Small, and by the eighth minute, they edged ahead thanks to Nathan Doran.

Scores from Niall Scully and Charlie McMorrow pushed Dublin three clear and, despite captain Sam Mulroy settling Louth with a 15th-minute point, the Dubs were beginning to find their rhythm.

Cormac Costello and Brian Howard extended the gap to five by the 21st minute. Louth, however, showed resilience.

Dara McDonnell curled over a fine effort before Ryan Burns produced the moment of the half with a brilliant two-pointer from distance that brought the sides level in all but name.

Mulroy added a ’45, and suddenly it was a one-point game, but Dublin steadied before the break as McMorrow’s second ensured a two-point lead at the interval, but the Reds were very much in the contest and will have rued a handful of wides.

Half time: Dublin 0-8 Louth 0-6.

The third quarter proved decisive as, although Mulroy narrowed the gap again with another ’45 after a lively counter-attack, Dublin responded ruthlessly.

Costello, increasingly influential, began to dictate the scoreboard, while Scully continued to orchestrate from deep.

A quick-fire brace from Small, capitalising on a poor kick-out, stretched the lead, and when Costello struck for a two-pointer as Dublin had moved seven clear.

From there, the Leinster champions struggled to halt the momentum as Costello’s accuracy from play and placed balls pushed the margin into double digits, and despite late scores from Dara McDonnell and substitute Kieran McArdle, the outcome was long since decided.

At the final whistle, Dublin were comfortable ten-point winners and march on to another Leinster final appearance on the back of a thoroughly deserved display.

Scully’s influence around the middle third was immense, while Costello’s finishing proved clinical.

For Louth, the Delaney Cup defence is over, but attention now turns to the All-Ireland series, where Devlin’s side will look to regroup after a campaign that never quite ignited.

Full time: Dublin 0-20 Louth 0-10.

Louth: Niall McDonnell; Donal McKenny, Tadhg McDonnell, Dermot Campbell; Emmett Carolan (0-1), Dara McDonnell (0-2), Craig Lennon; James Maguire, Conor Early; Paul Mathews, Sam Mulroy (c) (0-2, 2 '45s), Conor Grimes (0-1); Ryan Burns (0-2, 1tp), Conall McCaul, Ciarán Downey.

Subs: Kieran McArdle (0-1) on for Conall McCaul (HT), Tommy Durnin on for Conor Grimes (40’), Conall McKeever on for James Maguire (49’), Leonard Grey on for Tadhg McDonnell (55’).

Dublin: Evan Comerford; Theo Clancy, Nathan Doran (0-1), David Byrne; Seán MacMahon, Charlie McMorrow (0-2), Eoin Kennedy; Peader Ó Cofaigh-Byrne, Brian Howard (0-1); Seán Bulger, Niall Scully (0-1), Ciarán Kilkenny; Paddy Small (0-4, 1f), Killian McGinnis, Cormac Costello (0-10, 3f, 1tp)

Subs: Tom Lahiff on for Charlie McMorrow (54’), Luke Breathnach (0-1) on for Paddy Small (61’), Cian Murphy on for Ciaran Kilkenny (70').

Referee: Brendan Griffin.