Clinical Louth Outclass Wexford to Advance
Leinster Senior Football Championship – Quarter Final
From Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow
Louth 1-25
Wexford 0-11
Louth produced a powerful and polished display to sweep aside Wexford by 17 points in the Leinster Senior Football Championship Quarter Final at Netwatch Cullen Park.
Wexford started the brighter of the two sides, opening up an early three-point lead inside six minutes as Louth took time to settle. However, once they found their rhythm, the Wee County took full control.
Conall McCaul got Louth up and running before Conor Early followed with a neat score. McCaul added further points as Louth grew into the contest, while a goal chance for Donal McKenny was well denied.
Scores from Dara McDonnell, Sam Mulroy (free) and a quality effort from Paul Mathews pushed Louth ahead, with further goal chances for Early going narrowly unconverted.
Louth’s dominance was emphatically reflected late in the half. Ciarán Keenan landed two points before producing a superb two-pointer, quickly followed by a sensational effort from Mulroy as Louth finished the half strongly.
Half-time: Louth 0-14 Wexford 0-5
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Louth firmly in control. Substitute Tadhg McDonnell made an immediate impact with two quick points, while Early added an excellent two-pointer to stretch the lead further.
The decisive moment arrived when Ryan Burns was fouled in the square, earning a penalty that Mulroy calmly converted to the net, effectively ending the contest as a competitive affair.
Louth continued to dominate across the field, with Wexford only managing a brief spell of scores. Further points from Dara McDonnell, Seán Reynolds, Ciarán Downey, and Tadhg McDonnell underlined Louth’s attacking strength, while Mulroy and Burns added late scores to round off an impressive performance.
It was a complete display from Gavin Devlin’s side, combining defensive solidity with sharp, clinical attacking play as they booked their place in the Leinster semi-final in style.
Full-time: Louth 1-25 Wexford 0-11
Louth: Niall McDonnell; Daire Nally, Emmett Carolan, Dermot Campbell; Donal McKenny, Dara McDonnell (0-3), Conall McKeever; Tommy Durnin, Conor Early (0-3, 1tp); Paul Matthews (0-1), Sam Mulroy (1-4, 1-0pen, 0-2f, 1tp), Conor Grimes; Ciarán Keenan (0-04, 1tp), Conall McCaul (0-3), Kieran McArdle.
Subs: Tadhg McDonnell (0-4) for Dermot Campbell (HT), Ryan Burns (0-1) for Conor Grimes (HT), Seán Callaghan for Tommy Durnin (41), Ciarán Downey (0-1) for McArdle (46), Seán Reynolds (0-1) for Ciaran Keenan (61).
Wexford: William Gaul; Liam O’Connor, Gavin Sheehan, Eoin Porter; Shane Doyle, Eoghan Nolan, Dylan Furlong; Liam Coleman, Cathal Kehoe (0-1); Páraic Hughes, Glen Malone, Mark Rossiter (0-7, 1tpf, 3f); Tom Byrne (0-1), Niall Hughes, Seán Ryan.
Subs: Seán Barden for Gavin Sheehan (HT), Michael Kinsella (0-2) for Seán Ryan (HT), Robbie Brooks for Tom Byrne (50), Ben Brosnan for Shane Doyle (58), Darragh Lyons for Liam Coleman (69).
Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan).
