McGeough Cup : Louth Fall Short To Down

McGeough Cup

From McGeough Park, Haggardstown

Louth 0-13 Down 1-16

Louth slipped to a six-point defeat against Down in the McGeough Cup played in Haggardstown on New Year’s Eve. Manager Gavin Devlin named a side that combined established players with emerging talent, handing starts to Leinster U-20 champions Tadhg McDonnell and Padraic Tinnelly. There were also appearances for Pearse Grimes Murphy, Sean Callaghan, Darragh Dorian and James Maguire, underlining the growing depth within the Louth player pathway.

Several experienced figures also lined out, including All-Star and captain Sam Mulroy, Player of the Year Conall McKeever and Dermot Campbell. There was a welcome return for Conor Early after a year away, while Liam Jackson also featured and made a strong impression. Meanwhile, Ben McKenna, Tom O’Connell and Evan Whelan all made their first senior appearances in the red of Louth.

Louth Team: Niall McDonnell; Emmett Carolan, Dermot Campbell, Padraic Tinnelly; Tadhg McDonnell, Peter Lynch, Evan Whelan; Dara McDonnell (0-1), Conor Early; Liam Jackson (0-2), Sam Mulroy (0-3), Conall McKeever; Kieran McArdle (0-1, 1f), Conall McCaul (0-2), Tom O’Connell (0-3, 2f).

Subs: Pearse Grimes Murphy for Whelan (HT), Paul Mathews for Early (41), Sean Callaghan for McKeever (52), Darragh Dorian for Jackson (52), James Maguire for O’Connell (55), Dylan McKeown (0-1) for McCaul (61), Ryan Walsh for Mathews (67), Ben McKenna for McArdle (68).