Louth Show Great Resolve to Open Nicky Rackard Cup with Victory Over Fermanagh

Louth made the perfect start to their 2026 Nicky Rackard Cup campaign with a determined 1-16 to 0-15 victory over Fermanagh in Round 1, producing a superb display of resilience after playing the majority of the contest with 14 men.
The Wee County settled quickly and opened the scoring through Darren Geoghegan, who converted an early free. Fermanagh responded, but Louth soon found their rhythm with fine points from Conor Murphy and Sean Flynn, with Flynn adding a second score shortly afterwards as the hosts began to build momentum.

Further scores from Michael O’Shea and Ciarán McKelvey kept Louth moving, while Geoghegan continued to add vital points from placed balls.
One of the defining moments of the opening half came when Fermanagh were awarded a penalty. With the game finely balanced, goalkeeper Conor Clancy came to Louth’s rescue with a brilliant penalty save, denying the visitors what looked like a certain goal and lifting the entire Louth side. It proved to be a crucial intervention in the context of the match and gave the Wee County a huge boost.
The drama continued before the break when Michael O’Shea was shown a second yellow card and sent off in the first half, leaving Louth to play the remainder of the contest with 14 men.
Despite the setback, Louth showed tremendous character. Geoghegan added further frees before the interval, while Fermanagh finished the half strongly to leave just a point between the teams at the break.

Half Time: Louth 0-8 Fermanagh 0-7

Louth began the second half with real determination despite their numerical disadvantage. Ciarán McKelvey extended the lead before Geoghegan once again punished a Fermanagh infringement from a free.
Fermanagh continued to battle and remained within touching distance, but Louth’s work rate, discipline and composure were outstanding throughout the second period.

The key moment of the game arrived when Conor Murphy showed great composure to fire home a brilliant goal, the only major score of the contest and a finish that ultimately proved decisive.

Further points from Murphy, McKelvey, and the ever-reliable Geoghegan, who was outstanding from frees all afternoon, ensured Louth maintained control in the closing stages.
Geoghegan’s late scores from placed balls sealed an excellent four-point victory and a hugely encouraging start to the Nicky Rackard Cup campaign.

Considering they played most of the game a man down, it was a performance full of heart, resilience and determination from Louth, with Clancy’s first-half penalty save and Murphy’s second-half goal proving to be two defining moments.

Louth: Conor Clancy, Stephen Kettle, Aaron McGuinness, Sean Hodgins, Peter Fortune, Michael O’Shea (0-1), John Casey, Darren Geoghegan (0-8, 6f), Mark Gahan, Conor Murphy (1-2), Sean Flynn (0-2), Seaghan Connelly, Ciarán McKelvey (0-3), Andrew Le Touche Cosgrave, Fionn Cumiskey.
Subs: Thomas McCreesh for Fionn Cumiskey, Sean Magill for Mark Gahan, James Costello for Ciarán McKelvey.

Fermanagh: Mark Slevin, Daniel Teague, Ronan McGurn, Seamus Cleary, Dylan Bannon, Francis McBrien (0-2, 1f), Odhran Johnston, Caoimhin Heaney, Ciaran Duffy, Darragh Flanagan (0-2), Caolan Duffy (0-1), Danann McKeogh (0-8f), Tom Keenan (0-2), Sean Corrigan, Luca McCusker.
Subs: Adam McShea for Luca McCusker, Michael Rafferty for Seamus Cleary, Shea McElroy for Dylan Bannon, Padraig Johnston for Tom Keenan.

Referee: Seaghan Walsh (Waterford)