Dublin Surge Ends Louth Championship Hopes
Leinster Senior Football Championship Semi-Final
From Laois Hire O’Moore Park, Portlaoise
Louth 0-10 Dublin 0-20
Dublin produced their most convincing display of the season to comfortably end Louth’s Leinster Championship defence with a dominant victory in Portlaoise.
Despite entering the game without several key players, including captain Con O’Callaghan, the Sky Blues controlled proceedings for long periods and showed far greater composure throughout. Cormac Costello was the standout performer, finishing with 10 points in a superb attacking display, while Niall Scully and Ciarán Kilkenny controlled large spells of the game in typical fashion.
Louth started brightly, with Conor Grimes pointing inside 20 seconds, but Gavin Devlin’s side struggled to build momentum afterwards. Dublin’s aggressive pressing forced several turnovers and helped them establish a deserved five-point lead midway through the opening half.
A strong finish before the interval, sparked by a Ryan Burns two-pointer, reduced the gap to two at half-time, 0-8 to 0-6, and briefly reignited Louth hopes.
However, Dublin took complete control after the restart. Their slick handling, patient possession and clinical shooting punished Louth, who faded badly during a decisive spell where Dublin hit nine unanswered points. Costello led the charge as Louth’s challenge gradually unraveled.
Louth: Niall McDonnell; Emmett Carolan (0-1), Dermot Campbell, Donal McKenny; Tadhg McDonnell, Dara McDonnell (0-2), Craig Lennon; James Maguire, Conor Early; Paul Mathews, Sam Mulroy (0-3, 2’45’), Conor Grimes (0-1); Ciarán Downey, Conall McCaul, Ryan Burns (0-2, 1tp).
Subs: Kieran McArdle (0-1) for McCaul h/t, Tommy Durnin for Grimes 41, Conall McKeever for Maguire 49, Leonard Grey for Tadhg McDonnell 55.
Dublin: Evan Comerford; David Byrne, Theo Clancy, Nathan Doran (0-1); Seán MacMahon, Charlie McMorrow (0-2), Eoin Kennedy; Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne, Brian Howard (0-1); Seán Bugler, Niall Scully (0-1), Ciarán Kilkenny; Paddy Small (0-4, 1’sideline’), Killian McGinnis, Cormac Costello (0-10, 1tp & 3f).
Subs: Tom Lahiff for McMorrow 55, Luke Breathnach (0-1) for Small 61, Cian Murphy for Kilkenny 70.
Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry).
Photos: Ciaran Culligan
