Closing Rating: Louth 3-10, Meath 0-9
By Dan Bannon at Inniskeen
Louth’s Craig Lennon netted two essential objectives towards Meath in Inniskeen, sealing a memorable win for the hosts.
First Half Highlights
Lennon got here to the fore with a late winner within the 2022 Allianz Soccer League, however the St. Mochta’s man worn out 49 years of championship damage along with his first-half show.
Dwelling simply over the border, the Louth villager twice discovered the online after talisman Sam Mulroy smashed previous Billy Hogan within the 14th minute.
That main gave the hosts the lead for the primary time within the derby and one they’d not relent.
Mathew Costello, Meath vice captain, pointed his facet’s first rating of the sport bravely after his father Paul handed away just a few hours previous to throw-in. Colm O’Rourke’s facet began fairly properly by factors from Ronan Jones from distance and a punched effort from Seán Coffey.
Nevertheless, the competition was very a lot over as soon as Lennon struck his second after Mulroy’s effort struck the upright. If there was fortune for this second, Lennon’s first was after a courageous run. Louth led 3-5 to 0-5 at half time.
Second Half Highlights
The second half was all about management. Bevan Duffy was black-carded after the restart. Meath lacked concepts and apart from Eoghan Frayne’s finest efforts, Louth may delight in ending the 10-game shedding streak.
Scorers for Louth: Sam Mulroy 1-6 (6fs) Craig Lennon 2-1, Bevan Duffy, Ciarán Keenan and Ciarán Downey 0-1 every
Scorers for Meath: Eoghan Frayne 0-3 (2fs), Cillian O’Sullivan (1m), Ronan Jones, Ciarán Caulfield, Mathew Costello, Sean Coffey and Cathal Hickey 0-1 every.
Louth: Niall McDonnell; Donal McKenny, Peter Lynch, Dan Corcoran; Niall Sharkey, Anthony Williams, Craig Lennon; Tommy Durnin, Conor Grimes; Ciarán Keenan, Ciarán Downey, Conall McKeever, Bevan Duffy; Sam Mulroy, Ryan Burns.
Subs: Ciarán Byrne for Duffy (54), Leonard Gray for Lennon (60), Paul Mathews for Burns (63), Conor Early for Keenan (67), Dermot Campbell for Corcoran (71).
Meath: Billy Hogan; Donal Keogan, Adam O’Neill, Ronan Ryan; Harry O’Higgins, Darragh Campion, Seán Coffey; Ronan Jones, Cian McBride; Ciarán Caulfield, Cillian O’Sullivan, Cathal Hickey; James Conlon, Mathew Costello, Eoghan Frayne.
Subs: Conor Grey for McBride (HT), Brian O’Halloran for O’Higgins (ht), Jack O’Connor for O’Sullivan (45), Jordan Morris for Conlon (45), Michael Murphy for Coffey (55).
Referee: Paul Faloon (Down).
