Louth overcome conditions to beat Monaghan

Louth 1-14 Monaghan 1-8

Louth booked a spot in the last-eight of the Nicky Rackard Cup in testing weather conditions today thanks to a measured win against Monaghan at Dundalk.

The hosts began in impressive fashion with corner-forward Andrew Mackin slotting home their opening goal after just 23 seconds.

Recovering from that setback, Monaghan bounced back with three points in quick succession with centre-back Willie O'Toole on target with a brace of frees.

Stephen Lambe and Trevor Hilliard exchanged points but the visitors did not allow Louth take control for long and poached a 34th-minute goal from Eanna MacSuibhne.

In response, a second point from Collins Connolly, in injury-time, ensured the Wee county led by 1-6 to 1-4 at the interval.

However this was as close as Monaghan would get to the hosts as Louth bombarded the visitors on the restart.

Free-taker Diarmuid Murphy was in superb form in the second half and hit five points without reply as Louth broke into a 1-11 to 1-4 advantage.

The sides were evenly matched in the final quarter and although Monaghan outscored their opponents by four points to three in the closing stages, Louth still had plenty in reserve to ensure a deserved victory.

LOUTH: E McArdle; M Wallace, A Carter, A Wallace; J Greville, R Byrne, M Martin; T Hilliard (0-1), D Callan; D Dunne (0-1), E McCarthy, K McNally (0-1), C Connolly (0-2), D Murphy (0-7, 5f), A Mackin (1-0).

Subs used: B Corcoran for A Mackin, 46 mins; G Kerrigan for M Martin, 70 mins.

MONAGHAN: M McHugh; S Lynch, P Murphy, G Coleman; J McAnespie, W O'Toole (0-2, 2f), D Crowe; A Lambe, B Phelan; J Lacey, A Hughes (0-1), E MacSuibhne (1-0), N Morgan, S Lambe (0-4, 4f), B McGuigan.

Subs used: J O'Rourke for D Crowe, 41 mins; R Lee for J Lacey, 55 mins; R Conlon (0-1) for N Morgan, 59 mins.

Referee: Brendan Sweeney (Cavan).