Louth hurlers denied victory with last puck of the game
NICKEY RACKARD CUP ROUND 3
LOUTH: 3-17
FERMANAGH: 3-17
The Louth hurlers were denied a first victory in this seasons Nickey Rackard Cup campaign in Darver on Sunday afternoon when Luca McCusker fired over an equalising point for the Erne men with the last puck of the game.
Both these counties still prop up the standings with Paul McCormack's charges bottom on score difference.
Croke Park served up the excitement as the footballers booked a date with Dublin in the Leinster Final, but patrons at the Centre of Excellence were also treated to this entertaining fare with the sides level on no fewer than twelve occasions.
If Louth are to avoid relegation back to the Lory Meagher they will have to do it the hard way as both of their remaining games are away from home.
First up they face joint table toppers Donegal before making the shorter trip to neighbours Armagh, two teams who have had the upper hand in recent clashes against the Wee County.
It took the home side only 30 seconds to open the scoring when Liam Molloy set up Ryan Walsh for the first point.
These two players played prominent roles throughout with Mark Gahan, Conor Quigley, Seaghan Conneely and Conall Shaw other stand out performers.
Top scorer McCusker replied when he fired over from the left of the post.
Two quick fire goal scoring opportunities by Conneely and Padraig Fallon, both from close range failed to raise a green flag before Mark Gahan fired over a good point.
They doubled their lead when Darren Geoghegan struck over the first of his nine points from a 20 metre free.
The visitors tied up matters with long range points from play from McCusker and Francis McBrien.
The sides then exchanged pointed frees before the returning Conor Murphy was denied a goal scoring opportunity when pulled down by Daniel Teague which earned him a black card.
Ryan Walsh's well struck penalty was saved by the keeper at the expense of a 65 metre free which Geoghegan converted.
Three unanswered points from Sean Corrigan and McCusker (2) had the visitors two up on 20 minutes, 0-7 to 0-5.
Another brace of points were shared before the keeper denied Seaghan Conneely with a good save but Padraig Fallon was on hand to fire home the rebound from close range.
After Conor Murphy had pointed from the right wing the sides were destined to head for the dressing rooms on level terms, that was until Conneely fired to the net from close range as Louth led by 2-7 to 0-10 at the break.
A rare missed place pass from the normally reliable Peter Fortune found Sean Corrigan who fired pass the keeper to tie up matters again in their very first attack of the second half.
Tom Mathews was denied a goal at the other end by another Curry save with Geoghegan firing over the resultant 65.
The same player added another point to his tally and another brace had the home side three in front again on 44 minutes, 2-11 to 1-11.
That lead again didn't last long as Caolan Duffy was found by a good pass from Brian Teehan to net their second goal of this half.
Good successive points from play from the Naomh Moninne pair of Geoghegan and Gahan should have been added to by their club mate Conor Murphy who fired wastefully wide.
The lead changed hands once again as three unanswered points from frees from the stick of Luca McCusker had the Ulster side one up on 53 minutes.
A quickly taken free found Conall Shaw in a space on the right wing and he found the target to leave the sides level for the ninth time in the match.
The home side grabbed their third goal on 60 minutes when Ryan Walsh picked out Tom Mathews who made no mistake from close range.
From the resultant puck out Fermanagh netted the sixth goal of this exciting clash as John Paul McGarry swung one handed beating keeper Ricky McKeown again to the groans of the home supporters.
A second point of the half from Conall Shaw appeared to ensure a draw for the home side but Mark Gahan had other ideas to fire them dramatically in front well into injury time.
There was still time however for Fermanagh to grab a late equaliser as a foul on Caolan Duffy presented McCusker with the opportunity from a 20 metre free to deny the home side the badly sought after victory as the referee immediately blew the full time whistle.
LOUTH: Ricky McKeown; Adam Plunkett, Conor Quigley, Danny Morgan; Conall Shaw (0-2), Liam Molloy, Peter Fortune; Mark Gahan (0-3), Darren Geoghegan (0-9, 8 frees); Jamie McDonnell, Seaghan Conneely (1-1), Sean Kerrisk; Padraig Fallon (1-0), Conor Murphy (0-1), Ryan Walsh (0-1). Subs- Tom Mathews (1-0) for Sean Kerrisk (8), Aaron McGuinness Smith for P Fallon (half time), Andrew Mackin for C Murphy (67), Ronan Mulholland for P Fortune (67).
FERMANAGH: Mark Curry; Dylan Bannon, Daniel Teague, Ronan McGurn; Ciaran Breslin, Ryan Bogue, Francis McBrien (0-2); Thomas Cleary (0-1), Danann McKeogh; Brian Teehan, Sean Corrigan (1-1), John Paul McGarry (1-1); Caolan Duffy (1-0), Ben Corrigan, Luca McCusker (0-12, 9 frees). Subs- Aidan Flanagan for D Mc Keogh (5), Jimmy Tormey for B Corrigan (48), Odhran Johnston for T Cleary (54), Sean McKendry for C Breslin (62), Shea Curran for A Flanagan (67).
REFEREE: Conor Doyle (Tipperary).