Louth secure Nicky Rackard Cup safety with win over Armagh
Armagh 3-16 Louth 3-19
Louth secured their Nicky Rackard Cup safety for next season with a hard-earned three-point victory over Armagh at Thomas Davis GAA Club, Corrinshigo, Newry this afternoon.
Played on a bright sunny day, the Wee County made full use of the gale force wind at their backs in the opening half and produced an outstanding first half to bounce back from their defeat to Tyrone the last day out.
The Reds were flying from the throw-in and had three points on the board inside two minutes through Seán Flynn, Mark Gahan and Michael O’Shea.
Armagh responded through Jack Loughran, but Louth immediately struck for a goal when Ciarán McKelvey found the net in the third minute.
Things got even better a minute later when Darren Geoghegan rifled a low shot into the corner of the net from the ground as the visitors stormed into a 2-3 to 0-1 lead.
With Geoghegan pulling the strings from placed balls and open play, Louth completely controlled the opening quarter. James Murphy added an excellent long-range score before Geoghegan landed a brilliant effort from way out.
Armagh struggled badly against the conditions and were guilty of a number of wides, although Loughran kept them ticking over from frees.
Further points from Flynn, Geoghegan, substitute Fionn Cumiskey, and Seaghan Conneely kept Louth well in control, while Mark Gahan rounded off an impressive first half with a fine score from distance.
Louth were in a commanding position and led by 13 points at the half-time interval after a superb opening half display.
Half time: Armagh 0-6 Louth 2-13.
Armagh came out with greater intent after the restart, and Daire Harvey opened the second-half scoring, but Louth quickly settled again with points from Seán Flynn and Gahan.
The Orchard men were handed a lifeline in the 42nd minute when Eoin McGuinness finished to the net from close range to cut into the deficit.
However, Louth responded in the best possible fashion when McKelvey first clipped over a point before hammering home Louth’s third goal to leave eight between the sides once again.
Armagh refused to go away, and with Jack Loughran continuing to punish frees, the gap slowly began to close.
Charlie McArdle’s goal suddenly brought the game back to life before points from Caionn Hughes and Loughran reduced the margin further.
Mark Gahan steadied Louth with an important point entering the closing stages, and James Costello also chipped in with a valuable score.
Armagh threw everything forward late on, and Loughran buried a goal in the 69th minute to leave just three between them, but Louth held firm through a tense finish to get over the line.
McKelvey nearly wrapped it up deep into stoppage time only to see his effort come back off the post, but it mattered little moments later as the final whistle confirmed a deserved Louth victory.
The result means Louth retain their Nicky Rackard Cup safety for next season, and they will round off their campaign against Mayo next weekend in Dowdallshill.
Armagh: Ciarán Duffy; Paudie Lappin, Odhran Curry, Morgan Thomas, Barry Shortt (0-1), Caionn Hughes (0-1), Darren McMullan, Peter McKearney, Aaron Cullinane (0-1), Daire Harvey (0-1), Charlie McArdle (1-0), Eoin McGuinness (1-2), Conor Carabine, Aaron Fox (0-1), Jack Loughran (1-9, 8f).
Subs: Marty Moan for Peter McKearney (70').
Louth: Conor Clancy (c); Seán Hodgins, Aaron McGuinness, John Casey, Peter Fortune, Andrew Le Touche-Cosgrave, Jake McNamara, James Murphy (0-1), Michael O’Shea (0-1), Darren Geoghegan (1-7, 2f), James Costello (0-1), Seán Flynn (0-3), Mark Gahan (0-4), Seaghan Conneely (0-1), Ciarán McKelvey (2-2).
Subs: Fionn Cumiskey (0-1) for Michael O’Shea (14'), Rickey McKeown for Seaghan Conneely (54').
Referee: Aidan McAleer (Donegal).