Finn and Canty spur Exiles

CORK natives Martin Finn and Kevin Canty were the key contributors as London finally put Louth to the sword with a convincing second-half performance to win the Nicky Rackard Cup at Croke Park.

Louth were the beaten finalists that day as well and driven by that memory, as well as their status as unconsidered underdogs, they tested the credentials of their heavily fancied opponents until the final quarter.

It was a case of redemption for London though, who like Donegal in the Lory Meagher Cup, had lost the previous two finals. Eamonn Phelan brought a lengthy career to a close after last year’s decider but he was back as manager this time to steer the Exiles over the line.

Finn and Louth’s Diarmuid Murphy gave an exhibition of free-taking in the opening period, regularly slotting placed balls from around the 65m mark. Crucially though, Finn struck for two goals that gave London a 2-7 to 0-7 lead at the change of ends.

Former Cork senior Canty was introduced just before the interval and he cut loose after the resumption, scoring five points from play as Louth’s resistance was finally broken. Murphy did bring his tally to eight points from frees but there was no doubting the result.

“It’s great that we’ve finally done it” said Finn.

“There’s not as much hype as the last two years because to be honest, it’s a relief as much as anything. We’ve such a strong bunch of players and there are plenty of lads who’ve been training with us that didn’t make the match day squad. It’s just brilliant.”

Louth manager Paddy Kelly was proud of his players’ efforts.

“Our lads are getting there. We played Wicklow last year in the (Division) 3B final and lost and they were in the Christy Ring final. So we’re there or thereabouts. I think that London team would trouble a lot of teams in the Christy Ring.”

Scorers for London: M Finn 2-8 (0-6fs, 0-1 65), K Canty 0-5, M Walsh, S Ryan 0-2 each, R O’Connell, J Mulcahy, N Forde 0-1 each.

Scorers for Louth: D Murphy 0-8 (8fs), D Horan, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, S Fennell 0-1 each.

LONDON: A Ryan; T Hogan, B Costello, C Burke; M Walsh, C Forde, G Hill; E Cooney, K Bolger; R O’Connell, S Ryan, N Forde; P Sloane, M Finn, H Vaughan.

Subs: K Canty for Cooney (30), J Maher for Vaughan (41), D Maher for Hill (49), J Mulcahy for Bolger (52), B Hassett for Corcoran (64).

LOUTH: E McArdle; M Wallace, C Kerrigan, A Wallace; D Horan 0-1, R Byrne, Donagh O’Sullivan; G Smyth, D Dunne; D Kettle, S Callan, D Murphy; B Corcoran, P Brennan, Diarmuid O’Sullivan.

Subs: W Morrissey for Brennan (43), D O’Hanrahan for Smyth (55), S Fennell for Kettle (55), K McNally for Diarmuid O’Sullivan (58), K Walsh for Sloane (62).

Referee: M Haverty (Galway)