Louth battle hard to book place in All-Ireland SFC semi-final

Louth GAA have booked their place in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final for the first time since 1957 with victory over Monaghan at Croke Park this afternoon.

The Wee County played all but seven minutes of the game with 14 men after midfielder Seán Callaghan was sent off, but Gavin Devlin's side produced a disciplined display to hold off Monaghan and seal a famous win.

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There was one change to the Louth team from the side named, with Conor Early coming in for Paul Mathews, while Monaghan made late alterations with Jamie Mooney replacing Rory Beggan in goal, Oisín McGorman starting in midfield alongside Mícheál McCarville, and Ryan McAnespie coming into the forward line.

The Farney County made a better start and were three points up after four minutes, thanks to a two-pointer from Conor McCarthy and a point from Andrew Woods.

Louth's afternoon took another blow in the seventh minute when Seán Callaghan was shown a straight red card for a high challenge on Oisín McGorman, and McCarthy converted the resulting free to make it 0-4 to 0-0.

James Maguire got Louth off the mark before captain Sam Mulroy added another point, and then Dara McDonnell landed an excellent two-pointer to level the game after 11 minutes.

The sides exchanged scores before Monaghan struck for the opening goal on 21 minutes, before Oisín McGorman rounded Niall McDonnell and finished to the net to leave the Farney men four points in front.

Louth responded well as Mulroy converted a free before Ryan Burns and James Maguire both found the target. Ciarán Downey then kicked a two-pointer just before the break to give Louth a 0-12 to 1-7 half-time lead.

Louth made the perfect start to the second half with points from James Maguire and Kieran McArdle inside the opening minute to move four points clear.

Monaghan fought back with a Jack McCarron two-point free before further scores from Mícheál Bannigan and Andrew Woods brought the sides level again.

Louth regained control with points from Mulroy, Burns, substitute Tadhg McDonnell, Maguire, Craig Lennon, Conor Early and Donal McKenny to open up a four-point lead.

Monaghan hit back once more when McCarron scored a two-pointer before Stephen O'Hanlon found the net on 54 minutes to level the game.

Bannigan then edged Monaghan in front, while Kieran McArdle was unlucky not to score a goal when his effort came back off the crossbar. Tadhg McDonnell levelled for Louth before Max Maguire put Monaghan back in front.

Louth finished the stronger as substitute Ciarán Byrne levelled before Conor McCarthy restored Monaghan's advantage.

Tadhg McDonnell responded again before Byrne kicked two late points to put Louth ahead, and Ryan Burns added the final score of the game as the Wee County closed out a deserved three-point victory.

The final whistle sparked celebrations among the large Louth support as the county secured its first All-Ireland SFC semi-final appearance in 69 years.

Louth scorers: Sam Mulroy (0-5, 2f), Ryan Burns (0-4), James Maguire (0-4), Tadhg McDonnell (0-3), Ciarán Byrne (0-3), Dara McDonnell (0-2, 1tp), Ciarán Downey (0-2, 1tp), Kieran McArdle (0-1), Craig Lennon (0-1), Conor Early (0-1), Donal McKenny (0-1).

Monaghan scorers: Jack McCarron (0-5, 1 tpf, 1tp, 1f), Conor McCarthy (0-4, 1tp), Mícheál Bannigan (0-4, 1f), Andrew Woods (0-3), Oisín McGorman (1-0), Stephen O'Hanlon (1-0), Stephen Mooney (0-1), Max Maguire (0-1).

Louth: Niall McDonnell; Eemmet Carolan, Donal McKenny, Daire Nally; Conall McKeever, Dara McDonnell, Craig Lennon; Conor Early, Seán Callaghan; James Maguire, Sam Mulroy (c), Conor Grimes; Kieran McArdle, Ciarán Downey, Ryan Burns.

Subs: Tadhg McDonnell for Conall McKeever (41’); Paul Matthews for Conor Grimes (43’); Tommy Durnin for Conor Early (55’); Ciarán Byrne for Kieran McArdle (56’); Ciarán Keenan for James Maguire (67’).

Monaghan: Jamie Mooney; Ryan Wylie, Ryan O’Toole, Dylan Byrne; Oisin McGorman, Killian Lavelle, Conor McCarthy; Micheal McCarville, Dessie Ward; Aaron Carey, Ryan McAnespie, Stephen O’Hanlon; Jack McCarron, Andrew Woods, Micheal Bannigan.

Subs: Stephen Mooney for Ryan McAnespie (41’); Max Maguire for Carey (49’); Darragh McElearney for Oisin McGorman (55’); David Garland for Andrew Woods (63’); Robbie Hanratty for Dessie Ward (66’).

Referee: Seán Hurson (Tyrone).