Louth pick up first win in Nicky Rackard Cup

The Louth hurlers had to withstand a strong finish from Monaghan to record their first victory in this year's Nicky Rackard Cup campaign when these sides clashed in an exciting encounter in Inniskeen on Saturday afternoon.

Both of these counties knew the importance of this match in terms of retaining their status in the fourth tier of Championship hurling.

This result also ended Louth's long losing sequence this season which went all the way back to the opening day of their Division 3A NHL campaign when they also beat their neighbours.

They now welcome table toppers Donegal to Dowdallshill next Saturday afternoon in the knowledge that this result should be good enough to retain their Nicky Rackard status for 2025 with their superior score difference to come into play if required.

This Louth performance had elements of both good and bad as they recovered from conceding the first six points to lead at the turn around by one.

In the second half they managed to open up a lead of eight points but were holding on at the death. The home side had the better of the exchanges in a forgettable opening quarter hour for Trevor Hilliard's charges. Straight from the throw in corner forward Niall Garland was played through to open the scoring with a good point.

Louth had accounted for two wides before Niall Arthur, who previously played for the Wee County, doubled their advantage with a point direct from a sideline cut out on the right wing.

He proved a handful for the Louth defence in these early exchanges as he added four further points all from open play to leave his side six points to the good on 13 minutes

A high tackle on midfielder Thomas McCreesh presented Darren Geoghegan with the opportunity to open his sides account from a free

It didn't take the visitors long to half the deficit as both Conor Murphy and Peter Fortune grabbed good points from play.
Thomas Hughes wasted a good goal scoring opportunity firing wide of Conor Clancy's net and Louth took advantage with Geoghegan firing over a 25 metre free before one of the games talking points.

Declan Hughes brought down Paddy Lynch denying him a goal scoring opportunity with referee McCloskey awarding the visitors a penalty and black carding the defender.

Darren Geoghegan stepped up to take the penalty with memories of the one he missed in the recent defeat to Armagh sure to be on his mind.

On this occasion however he made no mistake firing past the keeper to give his side the lead for the first time on 24 minutes, 1-4 to 0-6.

The same player extended the lead from a 50 metre free before Niall Arthur fired over a good point following a terrific high catch, Monaghan's first for 16 minutes.

He tied up matters late in the half firing over a 20 metre free but there was still time for Paddy Lynch to fire over one of the scores of the game from the left wing to leave Louth in front by the minimum 1-6 to 0-8 at the break.

The sides shared the opening two points on the resumption before Louth substitute Sean Hodgins pointed from a tight angle with his very first touch following his introduction.

On 41 minutes the lively Conor Murphy netted the visitors second goal from close range to leave five between the teams. Monaghan keeper Hugh Byrne responded with a point from a free inside his own 45 metre line.

Darren Geoghegan was then on target with two frees from distance in between which his side were unlucky not to grab a third goal when full forward John Casey's effort crashed back off the crossbar as the Farney men broke away to grab a point from Niall Garland at the other end.

However a third Louth goal did materialise on 52 minutes when Murphy grabbed his second of the half well set up by club colleague Aaron McGuinness Smith. Leading now by eight points it appeared that victory was within their grasps but the home side had other ideas.

Points from Pauric Malone and Byrne (free) was followed by their first goal on 55 minutes when Kevin Crawley fired home in style.

A long range point from distance from Declan Hughes, following a poor defensive clearance and a point from a free from substitute Leo Moloney had the Louth lead back down to one.

Darren Geoghegan settled the nerves with a good point set up by Kyle Rafferty but their lead was still the minimum with minutes remaining.

Louth then struck what appeared to be the match winner when McGuinness Smith became the third Naomh Moninne goal scorer on the day with four now between the teams.

The home side were awarded a late 20 metre free and Leo Moloney had only one thing in his mind as he found the back of the net thanks to a deflection off a Louth defenders stick.

Louth supporters at the well attended venue welcomed the referees final whistle and with it a result that should keep Louth hurling at the level and standing it deserves.

Louth: Conor Clancy; Andrew Smith, Conor Quigley, Kyle Rafferty; George Allen, Adam Plunkett, Peter Fortune (0-1); Thomas McCreesh, Stephen Kettle; Aaron McGuinness Smith (1-1), Darren Geoghegan (1-7, 1-6 frees), James Costello; Paddy Lynch (0-1), John Casey, Conor Murphy (2-1).

Substitutes: Sean Hodgins (0-1) for P Lynch (39), Ricky McKeown for J Costello (62), Ronan Mulholland for K Rafferty (70), David Stephenson for J Casey (70).

Monaghan: Hugh Byrne (0-2, frees); Jack Guinan, Aaron Kenny, Conall McHugh; Kevin Crawley (1-0), Colin Merrick, Declan Hughes (0-1); Martin Murphy, Oran Kieran; Pauric Malone (0-1), Conor Gernon, Emmet Walsh; Niall Garland (0-3), Niall Arthur (0-8, 2 frees), Thomas Hughes (0-1).

Substitutes: Leo Moloney (1-1 frees) for N Arthur (53), Rowan McMahon for P Malone (60), Conor Boyle for E Walsh (62), James Brady for C Merrick (70).

Referee: Ciaran McCloskey (Antrim).