Leinster MFC: Kelly breaks Louth hearts
May 23, 2016
Loais defeated Louth with a late point to advance to the semi final
Laois 2-10
Louth 1-12
Louth Minors were denied a place in the Leinster Championship semi-final when Laois struck an injury-time point to claim a dramatic victory.
It was a bitterly disappointing end to an entertaining contest for Louth as they turned in a spirited second half display at Drogheda and will feel that they deserved more for their efforts.
Louth started on the front foot and had points on the board from Sam Mulroy and Conor Grogan inside two minutes. Laois then got off the mark and took the lead on ten minutes when Ciaran Carroll got in for a goal.
Despite points from Mulroy and Eoghan Callaghan, it was Laois who continued to hold the upper hand and after 23 minutes they were leading by 1-5 to 0-4.
However, inspired by the excellent Mulroy, Louth kicked the last three points of the half to trail by just 1-5 to 0-7.
The game was level seconds after the restart when Conor Whelan pointed. However, the visitors had restored their four-point advantage when Ciaran Comerford added his side's second goal on 35 minutes.
Louth showed great character to get back into the game and on 39 minutes Mulroy picked up an excellent Callaghan pass, burst through the defence and crashed the ball to the net to level the game at 1-10 to 2-7.
Laois responded with two points but Ross Nally and Mulroy free had the teams level after 56 minutes. Louth had enjoyed the greater possession in the closing minutes and looked the more likely team to win. However, deep into injury time the visitors launched a quick counter-attack and Johnny Kelly sent over the winning point.
LAOIS: Ross McGrath; Shane Bolger, Diarmuid Bennett, Jimmy O'Connor 0-1; James Kelly, Sean Byrne, Richie Hitchcock; Rob Tyrell, Max Connolly; Ciaran Carroll 1-0, Johnny Kelly 0-2, Finbar Crowley; Alan Kinsella 0-2, Adam Deering 0-3 (2f, 45), Ciaran Comerford 1-1. Subs: John Kavanagh 0-1 for C Carroll (37), Diarmuid Whelan for A Kinsella (40), Conor Brennan for S Byrne (42), Caomhan Brennan for D Bennett (53), Lir McDonald for R Hitchcock (BC 56), Sean Byrne for F Crowley (60).
LOUTH: Paul McArdle; Ronan Levins, Conor Kenny, Ian Connor; Stephen McCooey, Eimhin Keenan, Eoin McDaid; Conor Grogan 0-1, Dion Conlon; Sean Marry, Cian Callan, Eoghan Callaghan 0-1; Conor Whelan 0-2 (1f), Sam Mulroy 1-6 (3f), Ross Nally 0-2. Subs: John Culleton for C Kenny (35), Michael Carron for S Marry (53), Brendan Matthews for C Callan (60).
REFEREE: Fergal Smith (Offaly).
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