LIMERICK 2-13
LOUTH 2-11

Louth's National League campaign came to a bitterly disappointing end on Sunday afternoon when defeat to Limerick saw them relegated to Division 4 for next season.

In what proved to be a straight fight for survival, it was the visitors who prevailed thanks to a strong second half showing in a game played in good conditions at Drogheda.

It proved to be a closely contested game for the most part, but Louth's challenge effectively ended during a devastating 15-minute spell during the third quarter.

Two early second half points from Derek Crilly and Ryan Burns had overturned an interval deficit to see the Wee County edge ahead by 0-9 to 0-8 six minutes after the restart.

It was looking promising at that stage for the hosts but within a quarter of an hour they were seven points in arrears and playing with 14 men following the dismissal of Kevin Toner on 55 minutes.

Peter Nash in the sixth minute and Pa Ranahan on 21 minutes saw Limerick take a commanding 2-12 to 0-11 lead to leave Colin Kelly's side facing a very difficult task.

To their credit, Louth didn't give up and a goal from Burns gave them hope before Conor Grimes added a second in injury to reduce the gap to two points. However, the home side couldn't conjure up the third goal to complete the escape leaving Louth facing the reality of Division 4 football.

The first half saw both sides battled to seize the initiative with neither able to take a firm grip on proceedings.

Louth opened the scoring through Derek Crilly but soon after Ian Ryan levelled and that set the tone for the remainder of the half. Burns (2) and Derek Maguire were on target as Louth went 0-4 to 0-3 ahead at the end of the first quarter.

Limerick hit back with two points but when Colm Judge struck three in a row, the Wee County were 0-7 to 0-5 in front and in a good position to take control of the game.

However, Limerick fired over three points in the closing minutes of the half to go in at the break 0-8 to 0-7 in front.

It looked as if the pattern would continue in the second half as Louth regained the advantage in the early stages. However, Limerick made the most of their next period of domination, striking two goals and seeing Louth reduced to 14 men, to ensure they will be playing Division 3 football next year.

Limerick - B Scanlon; S Cahill, J McCarthy, R Browne (0-1); I Corbett (0-1), P Browne, P Ranahan (1-0); T Lee, G Hegarty (0-1); J Riordan, D Tracey, C Fahy; P Nash (1-1), S Buckley, I Ryan (0-8, 6f). Subs: D Neville (0-1) for D Tracey (BC), C Sheehan for J Riordan, S O'Dea for S Cahill, M Brosnan for P Nash, J Lee for I Ryan.

Louth - N Gallagher; K Toner, P Reilly, P Rath; A Williams, D Finnegan, J Stewart; B Duffy, E O'Connor (0-1); A Reid, C Judge (0-3, 1f), D Byrne; R Burns (1-4, 0-3f), D Crilly (0-2), D Maguire (0-1). Subs: C Grimes (1-0) for J Stewart, R Moore for D Byrne, S O'Hanlon for D Crilly, D O'Connor for E O'Connor.

Referee - M McNally.

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