Louth minors reach Leinster quarter-finals despite first group defeat

Louth were defeated by Kildare in their final group game of this year’s Leinster Minor Football Championship but advanced to the Leinster quarterfinals.

This was the first time Johnny Clerkin’s team tasted defeat in the group stage resulting in them finishing second in the table where they take on either Faithful or Wicklow in a home quarter-final encounter next.

The opening score of this game would come after just 20 seconds when Brian Caffrey slotted a brilliant effort between the posts. Caffrey was a late change to the Kildare lineup. His inclusion was no doubt a decision made following a strong showing off the bench against Westmeath last time out.

Another man who received a surprise start was Luke Murray. The Celbridge forward got Kildare’s second point of the afternoon as the management’s late changes made their presence felt early on.

A fine point knocked over off the inside of the post from Louth’s Luke Keenan meant Kildare held a slender advantage at the five-minute mark.

The Lilies should have been further ahead too with free-taker Harry Donnelly missing two scorable frees in quick succession. A surprise given the form and confidence the forward has shown this year. Those misses were felt even more when Michael McGlew stuck over a brilliant point for Louth after a slick attacking move.

Ruaidhrí Lawlor has been one of the shining lights in a strong campaign for Kildare minors this year. The midfielder would show his quality again in this game as he used his pace and passing to score one point and set up another to put Kildare three points ahead.

Louth would get their final score of the half when Luke Keenan turned provider to set up a Tadhg Devanny point. Kildare would raise the last white flag of the opening half when Brian Caffrey curled over an excellent point from range. The Maynooth man’s super score sent Kildare in with a 0-6 to 0-3 lead.

Louth to their immense credit came out swinging after the restart and got themselves back to within a point with two great scores. They did so in some style too as Conor Clinton slotted a wonderful effort over the bar off the outside of his boot. Kildare’s lead was down to one when Cillian McQuillan jinked inside his man before notching another fine point.

Ronan Kelly doubled the Lilies' advantage when he earned himself some space after a period of extended possession. A superb Tadhg Donlon score put Kildare back to three in front.

Donlon started this game in the full-forward line, but had his best spell in the middle of the field, where he operated in the second half.

Ruaidhrí Lawlor added a second with a wonderful curling effort that was preceded by a bursting run.

Similar to his midfielder partner moments earlier, Evan Boyle would get in on the scoring act too when he used a change of pace to give himself a sight at goal. Boyle would take the chance he created too as Kildare eased five points clear. A Harry Donnelly free and a third point from Ruaidhrí Lawlor would be the last of Kildare’s scoring for the afternoon.

Scorers

Kildare: Ruaidhrí Lawlor 0-3, Brian Caffrey 0-2, Ronan Kelly 0-2 (0-1 frees), Harry Donnelly 0-1 (0-1 frees), Luke Murray 0-1, Liam Kenny 0-1, Tadhg Donlon 0-1, Evan Boyle 0-1.

Louth: Cillian McQuillan 0-2, Luke Keenan 0-1, Michael McGlew 0-1, Tadgh Devanny 0-1, Conor Clinton 0-1.

Kildare: Conor McDonnell; Rian Beagan, Liam McDonald, Cian Cahill; Paddy Ryan, Finn Dowling, Liam Kenny; Evan Boyle, Ruaidhri Lawlor; Luke Murray, Ronan Kelly, Mick O'Toole; Brian Caffrey, Harry Donnelly, Tadhg Donlon.

Substitutes: Austin Donegan for Mick O'Toole (Half-time), Dylan O'Dwyer for Luke Murray (42 minutes), Peter Fagan for Harry Donnelly (49 minutes), Adam Poole for Paddy Ryan (57 minutes), Oisín Molloy for Liam Kenny (59 minutes).

Louth: Senon Connolly; Shane McMahon, Ciaran Devine, Donnacha Skinnander; Conor Clinton, Ben McKeown, Michael McGlew; Tom Maguire, Michael O'Shaughnessy; Tadgh Devanny, Luke Keenan, Cillian McQuillan; Fionn Coyle, Andrew O'Reilly.

Substitutes: Ruairi Carpenter for Shane McMahon (Half-time), Emmet Duffy for Tom Maguire (35 minutes), Brendan Cassidy for Joe Hanlon (42 minutes), Flynn Markey for Luke Keenan (54 minutes), Ryan Nugent for Andrew O'Reilly (56 minutes).

Referee: Seamus Farrelly (Dublin)