Louth take Tommy Murphy Cup

Louth 3-14 Leitrim 1-11

Louth are off to Boston as Tommy Murphy Cup winners, following a stylish win over Leitrim at Croke Park today.

More importantly than the silverware and the trip, however, is the progress made by the Wee County in the past season under new manager Eamon McEneaney, who takes them back to Division One of the National Football League in fine fettle, and with expectations understandably raised.

Corner back John O'Brien pressed forward to fire in the low cross that Brian White turned in at the back post to give Louth a 1-2 to 0-1 lead after just five minutes.

The Leinster men were in control in virtually every department, and when Shane Lennon, White, Ray Carroll, Darren Clarke and wing back Ray Finnegan tagged on points, they were well on their way.

Leitrim's struggle became even more desperate when Lennon rose high to punch home a second goal from Clarke's delivery for a 10-point lead.

But the Connacht men responded positively, with late points from substitute Declan Maxwell, Barry Prior and Ciaran Duignan.

They trailed by 2-7 to 0-5 at the break, but could have been closer had Francis Holohon and Donal Brennan not failed with goal chances.

Three Ciaran Duignan scores early in the second half gave Leitrim a glimmer of hope, but the classy finishing skills of Darren Clarke soon had Louth back on top.

Defenders John McKeon and Michael McGuinness worked tirelessly to keep the westerners in the game, and their reward came in the 56th minute when substitute Noel Doonan, just seconds after entering the action, punched to the net from Duignan's line ball.

But there was to be no miracle comeback, and Louth, with Paddy Keenan an immense figure in midfield, closed the game out with late scores from Carroll, Mark Brennan, and a deflected goal from JP Rooney.