Louth defeat Meath in extra time to win Gerry Reilly Cup
By ArdeePost Reporter
Louth edge Meath in extra time to claim Gerry Reilly Cup
Louth 1-20 – Meath 1-16 (AET)
There was more joy for Louth football on Sunday night as their U16 side sealed the Gerry Reilly Cup title in dramatic fashion, overcoming arch-rivals Meath after extra time in Oldcastle.
In what proved another outstanding showcase of underage football, both sides went toe-to-toe for over 80 pulsating minutes before the young Reds eventually pulled clear to win by four points, 1-20 to 1-16.
A derby with bite
This was the second final in recent weeks where a Wee County team prevailed over Meath, and once again the traditional derby intensity shone through.
Meath struck the game’s first major just before half time when Tomás Dillon of Syddan found the net, giving his side a slender 1-4 to 0-5 interval lead. The Royals still held the edge heading into the closing stages, but crucial late points from Conor Marron and the ever-reliable Connell Kelly forced the game into extra time at 1-13 apiece.
Heroes in red and white
Louth’s second half goal came from Cillian Duff, keeping them in contention when Meath threatened to pull away. In extra time, however, Louth found another gear—outscoring their opponents by 0-7 to 0-3.
The impact from the bench was decisive: Dylan Kirwan (2 points) and Tadgh Moroney (1) added crucial scores, while goalkeeper Daithí Holmes produced a heroic late penalty save from Tomás Dillon to deny Meath any hope of a comeback.
At the other end, County Minor Connell Kelly was simply sensational, finishing with an incredible 11 points to his name. Meanwhile, defender Finn McEneaney delivered a Man of the Match performance, marshalling the backline with composure and grit.
Historic win for Louth
The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations as Louth lifted only their second ever Gerry Reilly Cup, and their first since 2022. For the players and management, it was a reward for resilience, teamwork, and composure under pressure.
With underage football in the county continuing to flourish, Sunday’s victory is another sign that Louth’s next generation are making their mark.