Holders Louth kick Leinster campaign off with commanding win over Wexford
Louth's Conor Grimes in action against Wexford's Pairic Hughes. Pic: Inpho
Holders Louth could enjoy the news from elsewhere in the province, as they romped to a powerful 17-point win over Wexford at Netwatch Dr Cullen Park.
A second-half penalty from Sam Mulroy was the second loudest cheer of the day in Carlow.
The manner of the facile victory sent out a direct message to all others, as the Champions started off their Leinster title defence with a commanding display.
On the back of a strong league campaign, the recently promoted Slaneysiders were assumed to be a match for Gavin Devlin’s side, but it became apparent after the 20-minute mark that it was going to be the Wee County’s day.
The gradual rise in the gears and gathering of momentum they built up ensured a fourth Leinster semi-final in a row.
With Sean Nolan and James Higgins ruled out beforehand, Leinster champions received a further boost prior to throw-in when they heard their opposing goalkeeper Darragh Brooks was absent and injured.
Mercurial Brooks had been a huge part of Wexford’s promotion with his two-pointers. The net minder had kicked the most orange flags in the league. With that asset absent, Wexford were already up against it.
Despite that withdrawal, Wexford had the pluckier start. Mark Rossiter whipped over a two-point free from his hands and Gaul’s first kick out led to Tom Byrne’s point, their first from play.
Louth went through the motions but full forward Conall McCaul was on hand to end the patient moves on three occasions as they got to grips with the early Yellow Belly onslaught.
With Tommy Durnin and Paul Mathews on top around the middle, Wexford were living on the champions' morsels around the table.
From centre back, Dara McDonnell drove forward to hand Louth the lead point with 22 minutes. With that, the composure rose in the champions as well as Wexford’s slumped shoulders.
Under 20 Cathal Kehoe did pull a point back but the established Division 2 side were about to turn the screw. Just before the half-time whistle, the champions bared their teeth to put the game to bed.
With Wexford manageably in touch, Ciaran Keenan and Sam Mulroy landed an orange flag each to make it a nine-point game at the interval. Game over 0-14 to 0-5 from that point.
With the lead, Louth could ramp up the competition for places. Enter Tadhg McDonnell, the winback fired over four points two quickly after his half-time introduction.
Fellow replacement Ryan Burns was brought down for the said penalty that Mulroy duly buried.
John Hegarty’s men showed heart in their top scorer Mark Rossiter’s diligence to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
However, with the game at a standstill, Louth supporters enjoyed their neighbours' exit with a sporadic jeer.
On the pitch, Ciaran Downey returned from an injury absence, Sean Callaghan and Sean Reynolds also put their hands up, on their Leinster championship debuts, to take a place in the starting fifteen for Dublin in the mouth-watering semi-final.
S Mulroy 1-4 (1-0 pen, 2f, 1tp), T McDonnell 0-4, C Early 0-3, C McCaul 0-3, D McDonnell 0-3, C Keenan 0-3, R Burns 0-1, P Mathews 0-1, C Downey 0-1, S Reynolds 0-1.
M Rossiter 0-7 (3f, 1tpf), M Kinsella 0-2 T Byrne 0-1, C Kehoe 0-1.
N McDonnell; E Carolan, D Campbell, D Nally; C McKeever, D McDonnell, D McKenny; C Early, T Durnin; P Mathews 0-1, S Mulroy, C Grimes; K McArdle, C McCaul, C Keenan.
R Burns for Grimes (ht), T McDonnell for Campbell (ht), S Callaghan for Durnin (42), C Downey for McArdle (47), S Reynolds for Keenan (61).
W Gaul; L O’Connor, G Sheehan, E Porter; S Doyle, E Nolan, D Furlong; L Coleman, N Hughes; P Hughes, C Kehoe, G Malone; S Ryan, M Rossiter, T Byrne.
M Kinsella for S Ryan (ht), S Barden for G Sheehan (ht), R Brooks for T Byrne (50), B Brosnan for S Doyle (58), D Lyons for L Coleman (69).
M McNally (Monaghan).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
