Louth rip up the script but Monaghan will stew in regret

28 June 2026; Louth players, from left, Conor Grimes, Conal McKeever, Ciaran Byrne, and Tommy Durnin, celebrate with their young children after their side’s victory in the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship quarter-final match between Louth and Monaghan at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

All-Ireland SFC quarter-final: Louth 0-27 (0-2-23) Monaghan 2-18 (2-3-12) 

The sense of jubilation and regret will linger long after a tie like this. For Louth, the manner in which they reached their first semi-final since 1957 will be oh so sweet. Monaghan’s role in that story will be tortuous.

Gavin Devlin’s side were strong favourites by the time the ball was thrown in, a status compounded when star goalkeeper Rory Beggan and midfielder Karl Gallagher were ruled out for their opponents. Seven minutes later, however, the script was torn up. Seán Callaghan was sent off following what referee Sean Hurson deemed a high hit on Oisin McGorman.

As well as that, Monaghan raced into a four-point lead, with Conor McCarthy and Andrew Woods excelling. Louth would need to dig deep, make the most of their chances, get a searing impact from their bench, and hope the Ulster finalists would fail to utilise their extra man appropriately. In the end, every box was ticked.

Despite their numerical advantage, rookie goalkeeper Jamie Mooney was forced long repeatedly, where Dara McDonnell was immense. Louth won 73% of their own kickouts and kept Monaghan to 60%. A wastefulness in attack at one end paved the way for them to take advantage at the other. Micheal Bannigan’s squandered goal chance saw Louth break up the field to work a crucial score for McDonnell.

Every time the bell sounded, Louth stood up. Stephen O’Hanlon scorched in to set up a goal for McGorman but still, Gavin Devlin’s side led 0-12 to 1-7 at the break as Ciaran Downey converted a clutch point just before the hooter.

James Maguire ensured the second half started encouragingly as well, and a run of four successive scores had them five clear with 20 minutes left.

Suddenly, Monaghan did what they do and ignited. Jack McCarron curled over a beauty, and then Ryan O’Toole teed up O’Hanlon for a palmed goal. With four minutes left, a valiant Louth effort seemed destined to come up short as McCarthy put his team up by one.

In need of some inspiration, Devlin turned to his bench. What he found was pure alchemy. Tadhg McDonnell and Ciarán Byrne both kicked three points. McDonnell’s were crafted from sheer speed and directness. Byrne’s contributions were born of audacious defiance. He celebrated each score enthusiastically, the defiant performance of a man in a team that belongs on the big stage.

Rather than try to control the closing period against a ravenous opponent, they put their foot down and kicked for home.

Captain Sam Mulroy was integral once again. He scored five points, three from play. When Dessie Ward dropped a floating shot short, the number 11 was back in his own square and soared to claim it. Byrne’s final point said everything about their spirit.

Ryan Burns was almost trapped on the endline but managed to pop a ball in-field. Mulroy somehow managed to flick it up and win the ball as the clock ticked into the final two minutes.

He found Byrne, who didn’t need a play to settle himself. A snap shot sailed over. Burns was on the edge of the square, struggling with cramp at that stage, yet he still sprang up and kept an eye on the shot in case it dropped short.

Monaghan will rue the part they played in this collapse. They conceded nine points from turnovers. A clumsiness in attack and a faltering kickout were always going to make it heavy weather, even with an extra man.

As the hooter sounded, Byrne found himself beneath the Hogan Stand with the ball in his hands. It has been a remarkable season for all of them, from downing Dublin to defeating Armagh two weeks ago.

Here they let it all go. A red wave rose in exultation all around the ground. Byrne held the ball in his arms and reached up to the sky. They will play Mayo in two weeks' time for a spot in the decider. What a statement. What an opportunity.

Scorers for Louth: S. Mulroy 0-5 (2f); J. Maguire, R. Burns 0-4 each; C. Byrne, T. McDonnell 0-3 each; D. McDonnell (tp), C. Downey (tp) 0-2 each; D. McKenny, C. Lennon, C. Early, K. McArdle 0-1 each.

Scorers for Monaghan: J. McCarron (1 tp, 1 tpf) 0-5; A. Woods, M. Bannigan (1f) 0-4 each; O. McGorman, S. O’Hanlon 1-0 each; C. McCarthy 0-3 (1 tp); M. Maguire, S. Mooney 0-1 each.

LOUTH: N. McDonnell; E. Carolan, D. McKenny, D. Nally; C. McKeever, D. McDonnell, C. Lennon; C. Early, S. Callaghan; J. Maguire, S. Mulroy, C. Grimes; K. McArdle, C. Downey, R. Burns.

Subs: C. Byrne for McArdle (26-28, Temp); T. McDonnell for McKeever (41); P. Matthews for Grimes (43); T. Durnin for Early (55); C. Byrne for McArdle (56); C. Keenan for Maguire (67).

MONAGHAN: J. Mooney; R. Wylie, R. O’Toole, D. Byrne; O. McGorman, K. Lavelle, C. McCarthy; M. McCarville, D. Ward; A. Carey, R. McAnespie, S. O’Hanlon; J. McCarron, A. Woods, M. Bannigan.

Subs: S. Mooney for McAnespie (41); M. Maguire for Carey (49); D. McElearney for McGorman (55); D. Garland for Woods (63); R. Hanratty for Ward (66).

Referee: S. Hurson (Tyrone).