Kelly's men get off to a flyer
On the line.....Mark Wallace, Eddie McArdle and Barry Murphy in the Division 3 National Hurling League.
More photos:
Related Articles
Wednesday February 24 2010
LOUTH can look forward to the rest of the campaign with some confidence after this morale-boosting win over Sligo in Clan Na Gael Park on Sunday.
In recent years the Westerners have proved tough opposition for the Reds, most notably in the final of the Nicky Rackard Cup, so this opening round win was all the sweeter.
Louth started best and had the first two points on the board inside five minutes, both long-range efforts from Gerard Smyth who accounted for all but one point of his side's opening-half tally.
However, despite enjoying the majority of possession, scores quickly dried up for the hosts who were struggling to get a return from their fullforward line.
It took Sligo until the eleventh minute to get off the mark through Conor O'Mahoney, yet they gradually worked their way into contention and accounted for the next four points, two of them from midfielder Colin Herrity, to lead 0-5 to 0-2 after 24 minutes.
The Wee County finally found the range again a couple of minutes later, and Smyth's point, off a good break by Shane Fennell, was the start of a profitable spell.
The Pearse Og man soon landed a free, before Diarmuid Murphy was taken down by Jamie Kenny for a 31st minute penalty which Smyth converted, 1-4 to 0-5.
Damien Burke and Herrity, the latter with an excellent score, brought the sides together for the second time; but Louth had the final say through Murphy, who appeared to have been fouled as he turned and booted the ball over from close range – 1-5 to 0-7 at half-time.
Paddy Kelly's team enjoyed a dream start to the second period. Smyth didn't get the strongest connection to a long distance free. Club colleague Shane Callan swung at the dropping ball to direct it beyond 'keeper Mark Kearney to the net.
The visitors' response was as quick as it was impressive, successful Herrity frees either side of a point from his midfield partner Michael Gilmartin – 2-5 to 0-10 and just seven minutes gone.
Wesley Morrissey broke this spell of Sligo pressure with a point, and Louth's lead was extended in superb fashion by Donagh O'Sullivan with a sideline cut from the left wing.
In the 18th minute substitute Kevin McNally passed up a glorious goal opportunity when pulling wide with Kearney to beat.
Another Herrity free brought Sligo to within a brace (2-7 to 0-11), only for their challenge to take a significant hit with the dismissal of Kenny in the 55th minute for a second yellow card.
Louth lorded it with the extra man, adding two quick
po in ts through Smyth and Morrissey, though their shooting let them down as they attempted to make the game safe.
Indeed, it wasn't until injury time that the final two scores arrived through Smyth and Shane Callan.
LOUTH: Eddie McArdle; Mark Wallace, Johnny Carter, Adrian Wallace; Barry
- Francis CARROLL
