Sam Mulroy's storybook second half sees Louth win Leinster for the first time since 1957
Leinster Senior Football final: Louth 3-14 Meath 1-18
Liberation comes wreathed in red flare smoke, swirling down from the Hill and down through the decades. The
Louth
players skittered around Croke Park like bowling pins at the end, sent flying by 68 years of history. Leinster champions for the first time since De Valera was Taoiseach.
They beat
Meath
here thanks to a storybook second-half from Sam Mulroy, who missed his first four shots after the break and then didn't miss again. They hung in there with three first-half goals, haymakers that just about kept them in a fight that they had been losing to a jabbing, accurate Meath.
They are Leinster champions, the first non-Dublin ones since 2010 and all that. Mulroy shrugged afterwards when asked if the
noise and controversy from that game 15 years ago
had any affect here, shaking his head as if the very idea was ludicrous. He was a 12-year-old boy in tears in the Hogan Stand that day. Winning Leinster in 2025 has nothing to do with any of those old ghosts.
'I think it's just dedication and effort and buy-in from everyone bringing it to a new level and demanding more of themselves. People coming in, like Ger, and demanding more from us and seeing the bigger picture that we can do it.
READ MORE
'As Ger always says, 'They have two legs and two arms, just like us.' No matter who we're playing. It was just a case of bringing everyone up to a level and up the ante and going after what we had to go after.'
Meath's Mathew Costello and Louth's Peter Lynch. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
They dug a fair hole for themselves here with a first half that threatened to get away from them a few times. Meath started better, bucking out to a 0-5 to 0-2 lead after 20 minutes. Ruairí Kinsella was everywhere, goalkeeper Billy Hogan came up and kicked a two-point free. On a day when Croke Park was in full bottle rocket mode, Robbie Brennan's side settled into it with minimal fuss.
Louth caught hold of a lifeline when Mulroy iced a penalty on 20 minutes, after Donal Keogan fouled Kieran McArdle as he went to shoot for goal. And when the excellent Craig Lennon burst through to put Ryan Burns in for Louth's second goal soon after, you would have forgiven Meath for shrinking into themselves. They were suddenly 2-3 to 0-6 behind, pretty much out of nowhere.
Meath didn't wilt though. Brennan has a mostly youthful team on his hands but they don't lack for courage. They came back at Louth and reeled off the next six scores in a row, one of them a two-pointer from the outstanding Kinsella. The young Meath centre-forward laid on scores from James Conlon and Seán Coffey into the bargain, leaving Meath 0-13 to 2-3 ahead a minute short of the break.
There's a reason Lennon was Louth's first All Star in 14 seasons last year. He scythed through the Meath cover with a roadrunner break on 35 minutes, burying his finish into Hogan's top corner to keep his side breathing. It meant they were just a point down at half-time and bounced into the dressingrooms much the happier bunch.
Meath's Donal Keogan dejected after the game. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho
You wouldn't say they changed very much after the break but they were definitely much more on the front foot. There wasn't much of a wind in Croke Park but what there was, they had at their back in the second half, meaning they could take more shots and attack more of Hogan's kick-outs. Mulroy wasn't going to die wondering anyway – he came out blazing for two-pointers and missed with his first four efforts.
But by bit, he found his radar. After missing an early 45, he finally nailed one on 50 minutes to bring Louth back to within a point. Meath had just seen Jordan Morris announce his return from injury with a point off the bench with his first involvement in the game. Little did the Meath fans celebrating at the time know that his point in the 47th minute would be their last of the day.
Louth kicked on. Mulroy landed a beauty on the loop and then another off his left. With 10 minutes to go, they were back in the lead – 3-11 to 0-18. But some over-elaborate messing on the halfway line gave Meath a chance of a break. Again, it was Kinsella who got them going, feeding Morris who put Matthew Costello away for their only goal. Eight minutes to go, Meath ahead by a point.
Louth's Bevan Duffy celebrates with his daughter Lydia after the game. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho
The place was in orbit now, every possession a heart attack. The killer decision came on 65 minutes, referee Martin McNally award Louth a soft enough free 47 metres out. Mulroy didn't need to be asked twice and he nosed Louth into the lead again.
For there on, they used all the experience from being in last year's final to see themselves home. Meath chased and chased but couldn't get the ball back.
History can take a number. It's Louth's turn now.
MEATH:
B Hogan (0-2-0, 2tpf); S Lavin, S Rafferty, B O'Halloran; D Keogan (0-0-1), S Coffey (0-0-1), C Caulfield; J Flynn, B Menton; C Duke, R Kinsella (0-1-2), K Curtis (0-0-1); M Costello (1-0-1), J Conlon (0-0-1), E Frayne (0-0-4, 2f).
Subs:
J Morris (0-0-1) for Curtis (45 mins); S Walsh for Duke (53); A Lynch for Kinsella (62); D McGowan for Conlon (68).
LOUTH:
N McDonnell; D Nally, D Campbell, D McKenny; C McKeever, P Lynch, C Lennon (1-0-1); T Durnin, A McDonnell; B Duffy (0-0-1), C Downey (0-0-1), C Grimes (0-0-1); K McArdle, S Mulroy (1-1-5, 1-0 pen, 1tpf, 2f, 1 45), R Burns (1-1-1).
Subs:
C Keenan for McArdle (45 mins); Pl Matthews for McDonnell (46); C Byrne for Burns (62); D McDonnell for Duffy (65); E Carolan for Nally (70).
Referee:
M McNally (Monaghan).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
5 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Heimir Hallgrimsson believes confidence growing in Ireland squad
The momentum continues to build for Heimir Hallgrimsson's Republic of Ireland team as the World Cup qualifying campaign edges closer. No victory at Aviva Stadium to add to the back-to-back wins in March, yet a hard-fought draw against a highly ranked Senegal side will certainly add to the growing confidence in this side ahead of the vital autumn games. Despite the fact that most of this Ireland squad have been idle for some weeks, and the starting eleven and formation had a large element of the experimental, the team responded to the manager's demand for a performance. Ireland took the game to Senegal from the opening exchanges and it was evident that Kasey McAteer was out to "rock the boat"; the Leicester winger looking very lively early on, whether hugging the touchline or bursting inside from the right flank. Jack Taylor was another handed his first start in a green jersey, asked to link midfield and attack, staying close to striker Adam Idah throughout the first period, and evidently working hard out of possession. Ireland's gameplan was aimed at exploiting the flanks, while quickly switching play to create space inside the Senegal half, and it was working well throughout those opening 45 minutes with the final delivery, perhaps, the limiting factor when it came to goalscoring opportunities. Will Smallbone flashed a shot wide in the 18th minute, and then three minutes later, the opening goal came, as McAteer firmly put his name in the conversation for the upcoming campaign. It was a well-worked goal that appeared to have a training ground ring to it, as the corner was delivered deep to the back post, and while Matt Doherty and Dara O'Shea appeared to be competing for the same ball, the latter's header back to the edge allowed Ryan Manning to flick it back into the mix. Nathan Collins kept it moving before McAteer's header looked to be flying into the top left corner of the net. He would have to wait a moment longer for his first international goal as Yehvann Diouf somehow managed to claw the ball out of the goal, however, the alert McAteer showed both class and composure to control the ball and finish on the spin. At that moment of the game, Ireland were in complete control and the already lacklustre Senegal appeared to fade further, however, the home side were unable to capitalise on the continued spell of dominance. The visitors then managed to kill the tempo and Hallgrimsson's side appeared content to enjoy some respite and safely negotiate their way to the half-time break. Conceding goals shortly after the break was another bad habit that Ireland slipped into in recent years – along with shots from distance – but it would appear that is being addressed by the current regime as Ireland came flying out for the second half and had two chances in quick succession to double the lead. Smallbone again, as the defence parted, allowing a well-struck shot from the edge of the box, and Manning with a follow-up effort that was worked away from goal by some last-ditch defending. Senegal were a different proposition in the second period, however, and started showing signs of that dynamic play that Hallgrimsson spoke about before the game with powerful running causing problems in the Ireland defence, with Caoimhín Kelleher protecting the lead. So by the time the saturation of substitutes flooded the pitch, Ireland were holding on admirably, while getting the competitive test that they craved with tougher days ahead when they battle for top spot with Portugal and Hungary. Ireland had five substitutes on the pitch when Senegal finally secured their equaliser, which took a certain amount of gloss off the performance, and while the manager was happy overall, he was surely ruing the fact that his side were unable to hold out for the win. "Our collective defence was good," said Hallgrimsson, speaking at the post match press conference. "We must recognise that this is a world-class team, and at times when we were defending without the ball, made them look quite average. "But mostly happy that they didn't create a whole lot of scoring chances. Caoimh made one or two good saves but apart from that I don't think he needed to do too much in this game and that is pleasing. "To be able to play against such a strong attacking team, with so much individual quality, and not concede a lot of goalscoring chances." The manager was full of praise for the man of the moment, McAteer, describing the goalscorer as a "clever footballer with a good footballing brain". "If you have watched Kasey, he has got a run for Leicester at the end of the season so you can see his progress in his club, and he brought that now into the national team. "That is always the answer you would like to have when you try out new players. "It was his first start for Ireland. So a really good first start for him. He is a confident player on the ball. He has speed, good dribbling technique and if we can isolate him one-on-one that is his strength." And the manager sees that confidence growing throughout the squad, which augers well for the September international window where Ireland open their campaign at home to Hungary before travelling to Yerevan to take on Armenia. "I think it is growing," said Hallgrimsson. "The decisions at this level need to be quick. If you are too late you are always punished at this level. "Let's be honest, we're not one of the best teams in the world and this is how we need to play against teams that will dominate possession. "We need to wait for our chances and take them when they come. In this area, confidence is growing. "We will need to be patient, these steps are taken small steps at a time, but this was really pleasing because if we wouldn't have done this as well as we did, we would have suffered against this team. "So that is confidence for me, to be able to play good teams without possession and doing that for longer periods of time." While Hallgrimsson was taking the positives, he was also clearly disappointed about certain aspects of the performance, leaving more work to do as he continues to mould the team into a competitive unit ahead of the World Cup campaign. "Again, conceding goals from crosses too many times, and in this case we were too passive in the cross. "We didn't attack the ball when the cross came and it has happened before. That is a slight confidence thing."
The 42
6 hours ago
- The 42
Clear signs that Hallgrímsson's messages are coming through loud and clear for Ireland players
THE FOCUS IN training and in the various tactical meetings with players this week has centred on two primary elements of a concise gameplan. The first was being quicker and more proactive with the good stuff that Ireland managed against Bulgaria over two legs of the successful Nations League promotion/relegation play-off in March. There may have been five changes to the starting XI from the 2-1 win in Dublin, but that didn't mean a shift or change in direction from the manager. The message came through loud and clear to be sharp and aggressive out of possession while also doing the same around the final third once they had the chance to sustain pressure. It's why, for example, you would have seen Dara O'Shea sprint from his slot on the left side of defence and follow Abdallah Sima into Senegal's half when the forward was hesitant with the ball at his feet and back to play. O'Shea had the licence to be that aggressive and quick with his closing down rather than simply passing the man on to someone in midfield who might not have had the same momentum in their stride to keep Senegal going backwards. That level of freedom for players in the moment to assess such a situation and take on the responsibility is another cornerstone of what Ireland are trying to achieve under Heimir Hallgrímsson. It was evident again two minutes after the re-start when Jason Knight anticipated a breaking ball around 35 or so yards from the opponents' goal and straight away zipped a pass to Will Smallbone so his fellow midfielder. Advertisement He let the ball run across his body, took one more touch to set himself for a shot centrally but directed it far too close to Yehvann Diouf and that allowed the goalkeeper make a comfortable save. Still, it was sharp and positive and done with purpose; exactly what management asked of the players. By that stage, of course, Ireland led after Kasey McAteer's 21st minute goal. It was his first for the Boys in Green, coming on the occasion of his fifth cap and full debut. Friendly fire, perhaps, but if it can act as a catalyst for the Leicester City winger to make a telling impact in the World Cup qualifiers to come from September through November than it will be recalled as a pivotal moment. Again, he showed anticipation and impressive instincts to get his goal, staying on the move after Ryan Manning – excellent all evening in an advanced central role and also on the left when required – kept the corner kick alive to connect with a deft header, and following up Diouf's superb save with a calm touch and sharp swivel to fire low through the legs of Abdoulaye Seck. Nathan Collins wins a header against Boulaye Dia. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO Just as encouraging as that telling impact in the box was a piece of defending seven minutes before half-time that was the second element of the gameplan: stop Senegal's counter attacks. That was the second message repeated around camp all week, and when Habib Diarra looked as though he was about to break free down the left, McAteer's willingness to sprint back and nick possession drew applause around Aviva Stadium. Most pleased would have been Hallgrímsson and assistant John O'Shea as well as coach Paddy McCarthy. There were three more clear examples of Ireland players ensuring they followed the doctrine laid out. Captain Nathan Collins led by example in the ninth minute when Manning looked to have been bundled over down the left after receiving a throw in, play was waved on and with the Brentford centre back advanced to try and get on the end of a ball into the box, he ended up sprinting 40 or so yards back to stop Senegal making it out of their own half. Job done. Nine minutes later Knight and Smallbone also combined with pressure to hurry Krepin Diatta into a misplace pass from the centre when there was a break on down the left and numbers supporting centrally. Best of all, and perhaps the strongest nod yet to Hallgrímsson finding out who among his squad have the capability of being that 'bastard in the team' that he spoke of when he took charge, came on 56 minutes. After Senegal cleared an Ireland corner, Knight picked up the ball around 40 yards out and adhered to the crowd's roars of 'shooooooooot.' It was blocked down, and all of a sudden space opened up for Diatta to take the ball clear. Killian Phillips made his Ireland debut. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO He was still only midway through his own half but before he could open his legs and get into his stride Collins clattered in from behind with a type of organised clumsiness that prevented the counter. He was thoroughly apologetic for the incident, hands in the air straight away, but he knew exactly what he was doing and it was exactly what was required in that moment, and what was expected. That the Senegal equaliser on 82 minutes came after a raft of subs had been made won't soften the blow for Hallgrímsson. It would no doubt have been disallowed for offside after a VAR review had this game been one of consequence, but it was not in use so Cheikh Sabaly standing in Caoimhín Kelleher's eye line went unpunished. It undone so much good work in terms of the result but, crucially, it was a performance that highlighted how Hallgrímsson's messages are coming through loud and clear with World Cup qualifying on the horizon.
The 42
6 hours ago
- The 42
'This is a world class team and there were times when we made them look quite average'
HEIMIR HALLGRIMSSON PRAISED his Irish players as he saw further progress in a 1-1 friendly draw against Senegal in Dublin. Ireland led at half-time through Kasey McAteer's goal, but were denied a win by Ismalia Sarr's late equaliser. 'Our collective defence was good', said the Irish manager. 'We must recognise this is a world class team, unbeaten now in 21 games, 19 in the Fifa rankings. And there were times when we were defending without the ball we made them look quite average. We are happy they didn't create too many goalscoring chances. Caoimh made one or two good saves but apart from that he didn't need to do much, that is pleasing. 'We needed to start on this, working on a shape that is now looking quite good. There are still a few areas, we have talked about needing to do some movements quicker, within the structure. 'To be able to play against such a strong attacking team, with so much individual quality, and not concede a lot of goalscoring chances.' Advertisement Hallgrimsson pointed to the low levels of confidence among his players when he first took the job, but says now they are climbing. 'I think it is growing', said Hallgrimsson when asked about confidence levels. 'The decisions at this level need to be quick. You need to be quick deciding what to do and act quickly. If you are too late you are always punished at this level. What I said about defence, being in structure, closing spaces: these things need to happen quicker. 'Once we repeat these things again and again it just gets it ahead and we showed that against a really good side again. We limited their chances of creating things against us and, let's be honest, we are not one of the best teams in the world, and this is how we need to play against teams that will dominate possession. 'And we need to wait for our chances and take them when they come. So in this situation confidence is growing and it is a similar setup in September, playing the stronger team at home and then flying away to Luxembourg, like Hungary at home and then away to Armenia. So it is good preparation for September. So that is confidence for me, to be able to play good teams without possession and doing that for longer periods of time. But again, conceding goals from crosses too many times and in this case we were too passive in the cross. We didn't attack the ball when the cross came and it has happened before. That is a slight confidence thing.' Hallgrimsson meanwhile praised his goalscorer Kasey McAteer, who showed Ireland have further depth among their right-sided attackers by scoring on his full Irish debut. ''If you have watched Kasey he has got a run for Leicester at the end of the season so you can see his progress in his club and he brought that now into the national team', said Hallgrimsson. 'That is always the answer you would like to have when you try out new players. 'It was his first start for Ireland, so a really good first start for him. No, he is a confident player on the ball. He has speed, good dribbling technique and if we can isolate him one-on-one that is his strength. 'He is just a clever footballer with a good footballing brain. Knows where to pass the ball etc.' The Irish boss was sanguine too about the lack of VAR, which would likely have inspected and potentially disallowed the Senegal goal for an offside. Cheikh Sabaly stood in an offisde position occluding Kelleher's view of a shot which the Irish goalkeeper saved brilliantly before Ismalia Sarr forced the rebound over the line. 'VAR probably would have given it offside, but we knew VAR was not in house and we cannot complain. The referees did a really good job today, they had a really good flow to the game. I was really happy with the referees.'
