Early Blitz sets Louth on Path to Hard-Earned Victory
Nicky Rackard Cup – Round 4
Louth 3-19 | Armagh 3-16
Louth secured their second win of the Nicky Rackard Cup with a hard-fought three-point victory over Armagh in Thomas Davis GAA Club this afternoon.
Playing with the aid of a strong breeze in the opening half, Louth made a blistering start. Points from Sean Flynn, Mark Gahan and Micheál O’Shea inside the opening two minutes set the tone before Ciarán McKelvey struck for a superb early goal on four minutes, driving low to the net. Darren Geoghegan followed almost immediately with Louth’s second goal, finishing clinically to leave the visitors firmly in control.
Geoghegan continued to influence proceedings, adding points from frees and play, including an excellent sideline cut, while further scores from James Murphy, Flynn, Gahan, Seaghan Connelly and Fionn Cumiskey helped Louth build a commanding lead. Despite Jack Loughran keeping Armagh in touch with a series of frees, Louth led comfortably at the break.
Half-Time: Louth 2-13 | Armagh 0-6
Armagh responded after the restart, with Eoin McGuinness raising a green flag to spark a comeback. However, Louth answered in emphatic fashion as Ciarán McKelvey grabbed his second goal of the game with a brilliant finish to the bottom corner in the 45th minute.
Loughran continued to tally for Armagh, while Charlie McArdle’s goal and a late strike from Loughran in the 70th minute ensured a nervy finish. Nevertheless, Louth held their composure, with important scores from McKelvey, Gahan and James Costello helping them over the line.
Louth: Conor Clancy; Sean Hodgins, Aaron McGuinness, John Casey; Peter Fortune, Andrew Le Touche Cosgrave, Jake McNamara; James Murphy (0-1), Micheál O’Shea (0-1); Darren Geoghegan (1-5, 3f), James Costello (0-1), Sean Flynn (0-3); Mark Gahan (0-4), Seaghan Connelly (0-1), Ciarán McKelvey (2-2)
Subs: Fionn Cumiskey (0-1) for O’Shea (13), Ricky McKeown for Connelly (53), Sam Phelan for Costello (59)
Armagh: Ciarán Duffy; Paudie Lappin, Odhrán Curry, Morgan Thomas; Barry Shortt (0-1), Caionn Hughes, Darren McMullen; Peter McKearney (0-2), Aaron Cullinane; Dáire Harvey (0-1), Charlie McArdle (1-0), Eoin McGuinness (1-1); Conor Carabine, Aaron Fox (0-1), Jack Loughran (1-9, 8f)
Subs: Marty Moan for Carabine (45), Jack Scullion (0-1) for Cullinane, Conor Gormley for McKearney
Referee: Aidan McAleer (Antrim)
