The county's junior footballers restored some pride in Louth GAA by qualifying for the final of the '05 Leinster JFC. We reflect on an encouraging campaign that included fine victories over Offaly and Kildare before it all came unstuck against Meath in an ill-fated final at Drogheda in late June. Louth's juniors did brilliantly to reach the 2005 Leinster JFC final but, as they aimed for a first Leinster trophy in 29 years, their campaign assumed the shape of a pear against neighbours Meath at the Gaelic Grounds on Wednesday June 29. The Royals reigned by 1-9 to 0-5, ending the home side's dreams of a rare provincial title. However, credit is due to the Wee County junior team for clinching a Leinster final berth in the first place. Former senior intercounty star Colin Kelly was the Louth hero as Offaly were beaten in the first round, 1-10 to 0-11 in Tullamore on Wednesday June 1. The Dreadnots clubman struck for five points as Val Andrews' second string came away from the midlands venue with an unexpected victory, gaining a slight touch of revenge for their Leinster SFC humbling at the hands of the same opposition. Louth fielded a very strong team in Tullamore, with lots of senior experience to call upon. The Wee County are one of those in the province able to call on players from senior clubs and they took full advantage of that favourable rule. With the likes of Kelly, goalkeeper Sean Connor, Derek Shevlin, Owen Zamboglou, Ray Rooney, Ray Kelly, Ronan Valentine and David Bracken all with intercounty experience, Louth were always going to be in with a serious chance. And so it proved as the one-time Newtown Blues marksman hit the target with three second-half frees to ensure a two-point winning margin. St Patricks' Damien Connor opened the scoring but Glen Emmets clubman David Bracken was the real hero of the opening half, as his 16th-minute goal gave the visitors a lead they wouldn't subsequently relinquish. It was the only major of the game and it was fitting that it was scored by a man whose scoring exploits with Tullyallen are already the stuff of legend. Louth closed out the first-half scoring with points from Ray Kelly, John Moroney and Colin Kelly to lead by 1-5 to 0-6 at the break. The manager used all his substitutes in the second period, availing of the opportunity to have a good look at everybody, possibly with senior fare in mind. Thus, Trevor Baylon, Paul Kirk, Karl Courtney and Emmet Kelleher were all thrown into the fray as Louth booked their passage to the next stage of the competition. Semi-final opposition was provided by defending champions Kildare, who had recorded a 1-9 to 1-7 quarter-final victory over a highly-rated Dublin. The Lilywhites travelled to the Gaelic Grounds in Drogheda on Wednesday evening June 15 with a fearsome reputation. Kildare had reportedly been in training since January while the story went that Louth had only trained twice - once before the Offaly game and again two days before the provincial semi-final. With the manager pointing out that places were up for grabs on the injury-ravaged senior team due to face Waterford three nights later, Louth produced a magnificent performance to prevail by 2-6 to 1-7 and book a first provincial final place in 27 long years. The winners made light of the underdog tag to dominate the second half and deservedly progressed. Colin Kelly opened the scoring before being forced out of the game through injury and Damien Connor doubled the lead on nine minutes. But the rest of the opening period was a forgettable affair and the sides went in for the break locked on two points apiece. Cormac Malone and David Reid had joined the team and were causing all sorts of difficulties for the Kildare defence, while Michael Fanning and Paul Kirk held sway at centrefield in the second half. Kildare got the first two points after the resumption but Louth took control when David Reid converted a fourth-minute penalty following a foot block on Malone. When Kildare levelled, Louth' response was another goal. This one was a real beauty and again Plunketts clubman David Boylan was the creator. He won a sideline ball, which he played quickly to David Bracken. Bracken slipped the ball to Malone and the Na Piarsaigh man made no mistake. Points from Bracken, Ray Rooney and Reid put the home side in command and there was no way back for the shell-shocked Lilywhites, whose faces were appropriately pale at the final whistle. Victory set up a dream final against neighbours Meath. It was a repeat of the 1997 decider, which Meath won, and unfortunately this one didn't go according to plan either. The game was played at Drogheda a fortnight after the semi-final, on Wednesday June 29, and the Royals proved far too strong, claiming the junior crown for a second time in three years by virtue of a 1-9 to 0-5 win. It looked good for Louth when Colin Kelly gave them the lead in the fifth minute but the Wee County trailed by 0-4 to 0-1 after 27 minutes and conceded the only goal of the match on the stroke of the short whistle. Though David Reid briefly lifted Louth spirits with the first score of the second half, there was no way back and Meath went on to prevail comfortably. Disappointment in the end but, all in all, an enjoyable and worthwhile campaign, especially in terms of giving some of the fringe players a taste of intercounty action. And the team proved that Louth can reach Leinster finals… The Louth side that beat Kildare to earn a 2005 Leinster JFC final place was: Sean Connor; Dessie Finnegan, Derek Shevlin, Andrew Tinley; Trevor Baylon, Owen Zamboglou, Ray Rooney; Paul Kirk, Michael Fanning; Ray Kelly, Cormac Malone, David Boylan; Damien Connor, Colin Kelly, David Bracken. Subs: David Reid, David Martin, Mark McGeown. Tweet

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