Burns returns as Louth ease past London in Darver challenge

Inter-county challenge
Louth 1-19 London 0-9
Ryan Burns returned to action as Louth stepped up their National League preparations with a comfortable victory over London.
Sundayâs game in Darver saw Wayne Kierans get game-time into 26 of his panel, with Andrew Mooney and James Craven also coming back into the fray following injury.
A comfortable triumph against the Division Four opposition, the outcome was never in doubt after a sweeping first half move ended with Eoghan Duffy finishing to the back of the net, for the only goal of the contest.
The Reds restricted London to just two points in the opening period, where they had the benefit of the wind advantage. Indeed, Sam Mulroy and CiarĂĄn Byrne, who were Louthâs pair inside, werenât short of supply, yet the heavy underfoot conditions prevented them from fully exploiting The Exilesâ rear-guard.
Tommy Durnin was among the hostsâ first half point scorers, a fine conversion off his left foot, with the Westerms man getting the full 70 minutes as he primes himself for the spring schedule. His importance to the cause is significant, but who goes alongside him isnât exactly clear-cut.
Dreadnotsâ James Califf provided a towering midfield presence on Sunday, though, with Bevan Duffy and Conor Early not featuring, it could be that three players are fighting to be Durninâs partner.
Elsewhere, Dermot Campbell is settling into the full-back berth steadily, while Glyde Rangersâ Niall Sharkey is a speedy option to the Dreadnots manâs right. However, Craven, who came back into the team after an enforced absence, unfortunately, limped off before the interval, which glazes his availability for January 26âs trip to Longford in some uncertainty.
Burns came in for the second half and immediately became involved, frequently getting his hands on the ball, while helping The Reds to build a comprehensive advantage from placed kicks.
There was a brief London revival, which entailed five points to just one in reply, but The Wee County turned the tables as full-time approached, with CiarĂĄn Downey and John Gallagher joining Burns on the scoresheet.
Louth:Â Craig Lynch (Naomh MĂĄirtĂn); Niall Sharkey (Glyde Rangers), Dermot Campbell (Dreadnots), James Craven (Geraldines); Eoghan Callaghan (Naomh MĂĄirtĂn), Emmet Carolan (Newtown Blues), John Clutterbuck (Naomh MĂĄirtĂn); Tommy Durnin (Westerns), James Califf (Dreadnots); CiarĂĄn Downey (Newtown Blues), Eoghan Duffy (St. Fechinâs), Conall McKeever (Clan na Gael); SeĂĄn Murray (Dundalk Gaels), Sam Mulroy (Naomh MĂĄirtĂn), CiarĂĄn Byrne (St. Mochtaâs)
Subs:Â Luke Haggans (Oliver Plunkettâs), OisĂn Murray (Dundalk Gaels), Gerry Garland (St. Mochtaâs), Matthew Corcoran (Geraldines), Cathal Bellew (Kilkerley Emmets), Ryan Burns (Hunterstown Rovers), Fergal Sheekey (Dundalk Young Irelands), John Gallagher (John Mitchelâs), Paul Mathews (St. Fechinâs), Ronan Holcroft (St. Fechinâs), Andrew Mooney (Glen Emmets)
Referee:Â Cormac Reilly (Meath)
Report: CaoimhĂn Reilly
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Photo: Arthur Kinahan