Ruthless attacking sees Louth overcome Wicklow to seal promotion to Division Two

Allianz National Football League Division Three Round Seven

Louth 2-17 Wicklow 1-13

The Louth players triumphantly chanted “we are going up” in the away dressing room as supporters left a sun kissed Aughrim on the back of a fifth win in a row for Mickey Harte’s side. The win made certain of promotion and a league final this Saturday against Limerick in Croke Park.

On the day, Ciarán Downey was highly impressive with 1-4 in the opening half with Sam Mulroy forever guiding his side with placed balls in between as Wicklow proved to be pesky hosts.

Not giving an inch and the pressure all on Louth, Harte had to refocus his side at half time and it was apparent thereafter. Louth outscored Alan Costello and Gary Duffy’s side 0-6 to 0-2 after half time.

Just when it looked like a procession, Wicklow took a quick free and awakened Louth when Kevin Quinn found the net. The goal acted as a stimulant for Louth as Tommy Durnin landed his second point of the half.

Bench impact in the form of the returning Eoghan Callaghan and Ciaran Byrne meant Louth always had it in reserve but fellow replacement Tom Jackson buried his first goal in red to seal the game and the on field invasion of Louth supporters at the final whistle. Wee are going up.

Wicklow: Mark Jackson; Tom Moran, Peter O’Keane (0-1), Malachy Stone; Zach Cullen (0-1), Nicky Devereux, Fintan O’Shea; JP Hurley, Pádraig O’Toole; Oisin Cullen, Dean Healy, Darragh Fitzgerald; Mark Kenny (0-4), Kevin Quinn (1-2, 0-01 mark), Eoin Darcy (0-4, 0-3 frees).

Subs: Rory Stokes for Cullen (48) Conal O’Gallaghoir for Stone (54), Arran Murphy for O’Shea (56), Alan Dillon (0-1) for Hurley (60), Cian O’Sullivan for Devereux (66).

Louth: James Califf; Donal McKenny, Bevan Duffy, Dan Corcoran; Leonard Grey, Niall Sharkey, Conall McKeever (0-01); Tommy Durnin (0-02), John Clutterbuck; Liam Jackson (0-01), Sam Mulroy (0-7,0-0 frees, 0-2 45's), Craig Lennon; Daire McConnon, Ciaran Downey (1-4), Daire Nally (0-1).

Subs: Martin McEneaney for Califf (32), Ciaran Byrne (0-01) for Clutterbuck (40), Tom Jackson (1-00) for McConnon (41), Eoghan Callaghan for Nally (52).

Referee: Paul Falloon (Down)

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