Lannleire Hit the Ground Running with Convincing Win

DKIT Sport Louth Junior Football Championship – Group 3, Round 1

Lannleire made an emphatic statement in the opening round of the 2026 DKIT Sport Louth Junior Football Championship, producing a dominant display to defeat Dowdallshill by 1-22 to 1-5 in their Group 3 opener.

From the opening exchanges, Lannleire looked sharp and purposeful in possession, moving the ball well and making good use of the space in attack. While Dowdallshill battled throughout and showed plenty of determination, Lannleire’s greater attacking threat and impressive accuracy saw them establish control and ultimately run out convincing winners.

Darragh Malone got Lannleire off the mark in the second minute, clipping over a fine point to settle his side into the contest. Dowdallshill responded positively, with Chris Boyle levelling the game in the fifth minute after finding the target with a neat score.

Lannleire quickly regained the initiative, however, with Malone adding another point from out on the right in the sixth minute. Killian Gregory then began what would become a highly productive afternoon, converting a free in the eighth minute before following it up with a fabulous point from play just a minute later.

The early exchanges were setting the tone for what was to come, with Lannleire showing excellent patience in possession and working openings rather than forcing the play.
In the 11th minute, Gregory was again involved in the build-up, doing great work to create an opening for Ian Mulroy, who duly converted to extend Lannleire’s advantage.

Gregory continued to punish Dowdallshill from placed balls, adding another free, while Lannleire’s defence was also doing a good job of restricting the Dowdallshill attack.
Dowdallshill did manage to register another score in the 15th minute when Cathal Byrne struck from play, but Lannleire immediately responded. Cian Kearney added a point in the 16th minute before Gregory converted another free.

Kearney was proving to be a constant threat and added another point in the 18th minute as Lannleire continued to stretch their opponents.
Malone then got on the scoresheet again in the 21st minute with a point from play before Gregory added another from play a minute later.

The Lannleire attack was operating with confidence, with several players contributing and making it difficult for Dowdallshill to contain.
Gregory added yet another free before Dowdallshill’s Byrne responded from a placed ball in the 26th minute.
The decisive moment of the opening half arrived in the 29th minute.
Malone collected possession and produced a brilliant individual piece of play before finding the back of the Dowdallshill net. It was an excellent finish and gave Lannleire a significant cushion heading into the interval.

Half-Time: Lannleire 1-12 Dowdallshill 0-3

Lannleire had established a commanding lead by half-time, but Dowdallshill needed a strong start to the second half if they were to get themselves back into contention.
Lannleire, however, had other ideas.
Gregory opened the second-half scoring with a point from play in the 33rd minute before Mark Grogan added another two minutes later.
Lannleire goalkeeper Liam Callan then demonstrated that the scoring threat was not confined to the forwards when he converted an excellent two-point free in the 39th minute, further extending his side’s already substantial advantage.

Dowdallshill continued to battle and Byrne added another point from a free in the 41st minute.
Two minutes later, they finally found a way through for their only goal of the game.
Paul Flynn got on the end of the Dowdallshill attack and finished to the net in the 43rd minute, giving his side something to build on and reducing the deficit.
The goal provided Dowdallshill with a lift and they continued to work hard, but Lannleire remained composed and continued to create chances.

Dowdallshill goalkeeper Vincent McKevitt then produced one of the saves of the game in the 45th minute, brilliantly denying Lannleire a second goal and keeping his side fighting.
Despite that setback, Lannleire continued to dominate the scoreboard.
Gregory added another free before converting another placed ball shortly afterwards. He then added a further point from play as his individual tally continued to grow.

With Lannleire firmly in control, Malone produced another excellent score in the 58th minute, firing over a superb two-point score to underline his outstanding contribution to the afternoon.

Cian Kearney then added another point from play in the 60th minute as Lannleire continued to move the ball with confidence.
Dowdallshill refused to stop competing and Byrne completed their scoring with another point from a free in the 61st minute.
By then, however, the outcome was beyond doubt.

Lannleire had been clinical throughout, producing a powerful attacking performance and showing an impressive spread of scorers. Their ability to maintain their intensity after half-time was particularly impressive, ensuring there would be no late comeback from Dowdallshill.

The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive 1-22 to 1-5 victory for Lannleire, giving them an ideal start to their Group 3 campaign and an early boost of confidence as the junior championship progresses.

Man of the Match – Killian Gregory

Killian Gregory was a standout performer for Lannleire and was deservedly named Man of the Match following an outstanding individual display.
Gregory was heavily involved from the opening stages, contributing scores from frees and play while also creating opportunities for his teammates.
He was a constant threat to the Dowdallshill defence and showed excellent accuracy throughout, finishing with an impressive 0-10.

Lannleire: Liam Callan 0-2 (2pf), Ryan McArdle, Paul Doyle, Jason Torris, Jack O’Connor, Briain McGuinness, Michael O’Hare, Mark Grogan 0-1, Cian Kearney 0-3, Darragh Malone 1-5 (1x2p), Killian Gregory 0-10 (6f), Darragh Goodman, Mark Dunne, Ian Mulroy 0-1, Bob Murphy. Subs: Paul McGeough for Darragh Goodman (HT), Brendan Cassidy for Bob Murphy (53), Luke Dunne for Ryan McArdle (56).

Dowdallshill: Vincent McKevitt, Stephen King, Paddy McKenna, Keenan McGavisk, Donal Maginis, Stevie Murray, Eddie Lapinskas, Justin Halley, Paul Flynn 1-0, Stephen Treanor, Cian Kierans, Graham Cairns, Cathal Byrne 0-4 (3f), Chris Boyle 0-1, Kevin McGonigle. Subs: Luke Boyle for Keenan McGavisk (HT), Luke O’Brien for Cian Kierans (38), Emmet O’Brien for Gaham Cairns, Luke Boyle for Stephen King (45), Thomas McKenney for Chris Boyle (48).

Referee: Craig Kirwan (Wolfe Tones)