Allianz Football & Hurling League Matches Roundup
Ardee News and Sport – Allianz Football & Hurling League Matches Roundup
Allianz Football League
Louth’s Brave Comeback Falls Short as Monaghan Hold Firm in High-Scoring Clash
Louth’s hopes of a dramatic comeback were dashed as Monaghan’s Conor McCarthy and Rory Beggan delivered crucial late scores to secure a 1-27 to 1-21 victory in a thrilling Allianz Football League Division 2 encounter at Páirc Mhuire, Drogheda.
Trailing by 17 points at halftime, Louth staged an incredible second-half fightback, cutting the gap to just three with two minutes remaining. Captain Sam Mulroy led the charge, finishing with 1-12, including a penalty that sent Beggan the wrong way. However, Monaghan’s resilience held firm, with Beggan and McCarthy slotting over crucial scores to withstand the pressure and seal the win.
Monaghan had dominated the first half, with McCarthy pulling the strings and firing home a brilliant goal to cap a relentless attacking display. The visitors led 1-19 to 0-7 at the break, seemingly cruising to victory. But Louth, sparked by substitute Paul Mathews and Mulroy’s accuracy from placed balls, stormed back into contention with 1-9 unanswered.
With the home crowd roaring them on, Louth sensed an unlikely upset, but Monaghan steadied the ship in the dying moments. Beggan’s long-range free and McCarthy’s composed finish ensured Monaghan moved joint top of Division 2, while Louth will take heart from their spirited second-half display despite falling short.
Allianz Hurling League
Hilliard Praises Louth Hurlers’ Progress as Unbeaten Run Continues in Allianz Hurling League
Louth senior hurling manager Trevor Hilliard expressed his delight with his side’s continued progress after their impressive 0-30 to 2-10 victory over Lancashire at the GAA Centre of Excellence in Abbotstown. The dominant win keeps the Wee County unbeaten in Division 4 of the Allianz National Hurling League, with four wins and a draw from five games.
Hilliard was particularly pleased with how his players adapted to the excellent conditions, allowing them to play a faster, more fluid game.
“The surface here in Abbotstown is very good, and it is a big wide field,” he said. “We have been playing on sticky enough ground, but today we could move the ball a lot quicker. Our first touch was sharper, and the delivery into the forward line was much earlier.”
Hard Work Paying Off
The manager was quick to credit the team’s dedication in training, which he believes is translating into strong performances on match days.
“We are working hard every night, and the lads are pushing each other,” Hilliard said. “You could see with the lads coming on today that they’re driving each other on. We’re trying to perfect a set style of play so that even the subs can slot in seamlessly.”
Louth’s rapid start put them in control early, but Lancashire stayed in touch through placed balls. While Hilliard was pleased with his team’s dominance, he noted the need to cut down on giving away “soft frees.”
“The frees kept them in the game in the first half, and that’s something we have to look at,” he admitted. “But from the start, we wanted to take the game to them, and we surely did that.”
Finishing Strong
Although Louth’s intensity dipped slightly in the second half, they continued to rack up points, with Hilliard content with their efficiency in front of goal.
“You’re always going to hit a slump at some stage,” he said. “I was disappointed to concede the second goal, but overall, I was happy with how we kept chipping away. The goals will come when the right chances arise, and scoring 30 points today is a great return.”
Standout Performances
Several players caught the eye, including Peter Fortune, who put in an outstanding performance with four points, while Thomas McCreesh, Conor Murphy, and Sean Flynn also impressed.
“Peter Fortune was excellent up front, and I thought Thomas McCreesh grew into the game brilliantly,” Hilliard said. “Leon Fox took a knock, but Aaron McGuinness stepped up, and Sean Flynn’s work rate was outstanding. It’s great to see different lads standing up each week.”
Looking Ahead
With one league game remaining, Louth are determined to maintain their unbeaten run when they take on Longford at Dowdallshill next weekend.
“We’re going in with the same attitude,” Hilliard stated. “We want to go unbeaten, and we’re not going to ease off. We’ve picked up a few knocks, but hopefully, some lads can step in and get ready for the final.”
With momentum building, Louth are shaping up as serious contenders for promotion, and Hilliard’s side will be eager to finish their league campaign in style.
Lidl National Football League
Ruthless Louth Dominate Carlow to Get Back to Winning Ways
Louth ladies returned to winning form in emphatic fashion with a commanding 3-16 to 0-10 victory over Carlow in the LIDL National Football League Division 3 at Dundalk Gaels on Sunday afternoon.
Determined to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Down, Kevin Larkin’s side made full use of the wind advantage in the first half, storming into a 12-point lead at the break. Two early goals set the tone as Louth’s relentless press on Carlow’s kickouts saw them dominate possession and territory.
Blistering Start
Louth wasted no time in taking control, pressing high and forcing turnovers that led to scores. Ceire Nolan, Aine Breen, and Aoife Halligan were key in disrupting Carlow’s restarts, with their tireless work allowing Louth to win eight of Carlow’s 17 first-half kickouts.
Their efforts paid off immediately, with Nolan winning possession and Eimear Byrne setting up Laura Collins for the opening score. Carlow’s Elaine Ware responded, but Louth struck a decisive early blow when Lucy White and Byrne combined, with White finishing neatly to the net inside four minutes.
With Louth controlling midfield, points from Collins, Nolan, and Byrne saw them race into a 1-4 to 0-1 lead after just seven minutes. Despite Carlow’s best efforts through Ware and a free from Cliodhna Ní Sé, Louth remained in the ascendency, with Byrne and Nolan proving nearly unplayable.
The home side’s dominance was further rewarded when a slick passing move saw Seoda Matthews unselfishly tee up Breen to palm home Louth’s second goal, making it 2-8 to 0-3.
Collins added her third point of the afternoon before being denied from close range by Carlow goalkeeper Nicole Hanley. However, a late free from Kate Flood ensured Louth went into halftime with a commanding 2-10 to 0-4 lead.
Carlow’s Fightback Falls Short
Carlow showed signs of life early in the second half, making use of the wind with quick points from Edel Hayden and Orla Woods. Ware continued to lead their charge with a well-taken score, reducing the deficit to 2-10 to 0-7.
However, Louth reasserted their dominance, with substitute Aoife Russell making an immediate impact off the bench, striking three second-half points from half-back.
Any hopes of a Carlow comeback were dashed when a misplaced pass fell to Collins in space. The Newtown Blues attacker fed Byrne, who coolly slotted home Louth’s third goal to put the result beyond doubt.
With the game effectively sealed, Louth emptied their bench, allowing Mischa Rooney to add her name to the scoresheet late on.
Looking Forward
The victory marks Louth’s third win of the league campaign, putting them in a strong position heading into the final two rounds. No longer looking over their shoulders, they can now focus on pushing higher up the Division 3 table.