Majestic Louth end 53-year wait with championship victory over Dubs
Dublin 1-24 Louth 4-18
Louth produced one of the greatest championship victories in their history as they defeated Dublin in Croke Park this afternoon to record their first championship win over the Dubs since 1973.
The Wee County responded perfectly to their Leinster semi-final defeat by Dublin and wrote another memorable chapter in the county's history books.
Gavin Devlin's side looked in trouble at half-time when they trailed by six points, but a remarkable second-half display saw them overturn the deficit and claim a famous victory.
Dublin made two changes from their Leinster final defeat to Westmeath, with Hugh O'Sullivan replacing Evan Comerford in goal and captain Con O'Callaghan returning from injury.
Louth also made changes, with Seán Callaghan and Conall McKeever coming into the starting team, while Conor Early was drafted in late for Dermot Campbell.
The Dubs made the brighter start and opened the scoring after just 40 seconds through Charlie McMorrow.
Further scores from Killian McGinnis and Paddy Small helped establish an early advantage as Dublin looked the sharper side in the opening exchanges.
Craig Lennon got Louth up and running in the third minute before captain Sam Mulroy added another, but Dublin continued to dictate possession and moved five points clear when Cormac Costello landed a two-pointer
Mulroy replied with a two-point free, and the Reds could have found a goal shortly afterwards when both Lennon and James Maguire had efforts blocked following a poor Dublin kick-out.
Louth continued to battle, and a superb run from Ciarán Downey resulted in a point before the breakthrough arrived in the 23rd minute.
Kieran McArdle gathered possession and rifled a right-footed shot low to the corner of the net to put Louth in front.
However, the lead was short-lived when Con O'Callaghan levelled matters with a point before he struck for a goal.
Half time: Dublin 1-12 Louth 1-6
The second half could hardly have started any better for the Wee County.
Lennon and Mulroy pointed before substitute Ryan Burns made an immediate impact, drilling over a superb two-pointer to cut the gap to just two points.
After Small steadied Dublin with a point, Louth produced a devastating burst. when James Maguire showed great determination to finish low to the net.
Barely a minute later, the midfielder struck again after Conor Grimes delivered a dangerous ball across goal, with Maguire quickest to react and put the ball in the net.
Suddenly, Louth were five points in front before substitute Ciarán Byrne added a point with his first touch.
Dublin responded through Costello, but Louth continued to impress as Downey added another point before McDonnell produced a world-class save to deny Brian Howard at a crucial stage.
Seán Bugler's two-pointer and a Niall Scully score helped Dublin draw level entering the final quarter, setting up a dramatic finish.
The lead changed hands several times as Byrne, Small, Dara McDonnell and Con O'Callaghan all traded scores as the contest ebbed and flowed from end to end.
When Ciarán Kilkenny edged Dublin ahead, they appeared to have regained control, but Louth refused to give in.
Burns levelled matters before Costello nudged Dublin back in front, entering the closing stages.
McArdle's point tied the game once more before the decisive moment arrived in the 66th minute.
Lennon found space and fired low and hard beyond O'Sullivan to the Dublin net.
Costello reduced the deficit from a free, but Paul Mathews had the final say with a late point to seal a famous victory.
Full time: Dublin 1-24 Louth 4-18
Dublin: Hugh O'Sullivan; Greg McEneaney, Nathan Doran, David Byrne; Seán McMahon, Charlie McMorrow (0-3), Eoin Kennedy; Ciaran Kilkenny (0-1), Brian Howard; Sean Bugler (0-3, 1tp), Con O'Callaghan (c) (1-3), Niall Scully (0-1); Paddy Small (0-3), Killian McGinnis (0-1), Cormac Costello (0-9, 2tpf, 2f).
Subs: Lee Gannon for Eoin Kennedy (41), Ethan Dunne for McGinnis (43'), Cian Murphy on for Greg McEneaney (45'), Liam Smith on for Nathan Doran (58'), Tom Lahiff on for Charlie McMorrow (65').
Louth: Niall McDonnell; Emmet Carolan, Conor Early, Donal McKenny; Daire Nally, Dara Nally, Dara McDonnell (0-2, 1tp), Craig Lennon (1-3); Seán Callaghan, James Maguire (2-0); Conall McKeever, Sam Mulroy (c) (0-5, 1tpf, 2f), Conor Grimes; Kieran McArdle (1-2), Ciarán Downey (0-2), Conall McCaul.
Subs: Ryan Burns (0-3, 1tp) for Conor Early (HT), Ciarán Byrne (0-3) on for Conall McCaul (42'), Tommy Durnin on for Seán Callaghan (42'), Paul Mathews (0-1) on for Conor Grimes (53'), Leonard Gray for James Maguire (64').
Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan).
Attendance: 16,160.