Louth battle back to draw

John Brennan blamed some rash decision-making by his players in the last five minutes and a dubious point for Louth as the reasons why Derry failed to hang on in Celtic Park.

The Oak Leafers led by four points midway through the second half. As the 70 minutes elapsed, they were still ahead by two, but Louth fought back, with late scores from Brian White and Darren Clarke.

It was no more than they deserved after a first half when the sides were level nine times. Louth’s third-last point from Jim McEneaney looked wide but Derry still could have held on.