Louth deny Dublin to bridge 12-year Leinster U20 football final gap

Louth reached a first Leinster Under-20 football championship final in 12 years at Parnell Park tonight as Dublin fell short of an 11th consecutive appearance in the decider.

Fergal Reel’s side led by two points at half-time before Luke O’Boyle’s goal levelled matters after the restart.

But Louth’s response was emphatic as they converted five points without reply to effectively secure a famous victory – their first league or championship success against the Dubs, at any level, since 2006.

A fortuitous goal by captain Seán Reynolds ignited Louth’s challenge on 14 minutes. With Dublin leading by 0-4 to two, the Stabannon Parnells clubman launched a high effort that deceived David Leonard and nestled in the back of the net.

The hosts had started much the brighter with Mark McNally and Clyde Burke combining for five points during the opening period.

Though Louth’s midfield dominance became a telling factor as the first half progressed and with Kieran McArdle reliable from frees, the Wee county pressed ahead in the second quarter and led by 1-6 to 0-7 at the interval.

They stretched the gap to three when the match resumed but Dublin found the back of the net in a rare flowing move, drawing the Sky Blues on terms at 1-7 apiece.

The visitors were determined, however, and the excellent Tadhg McDonnell pointed either side of Cameron Maher, Dara McDonnell and Kieran McArdle raising white flags across a nine-minute spell.

Dublin pressed desperately for a way back into the contest and having narrowed the margin to three, had three efforts for goal repelled – the most spectacular of which involved Louth ’keeper Cian O’Donoghue deflecting away Karl Flynn’s toe-poked attempt.

And Louth sealed the win on the breakaway when McArdle fisted over, bringing his personal haul to 0-6.

Scorers – Dublin: M McNally 0-3; L O’Boyle 1-0; C Burke, P Reynolds-Hand (1f) 0-2 each; J Quigley (1f), K Flynn 0-1 each. Louth: K McArdle (4f) 0-6; S Reynolds 1-0; T McDonnell 0-3; J Maguire (1f), A McGlew, C Maher, D McDonnell 0-1 each.

Dublin: D Leonard; F Bruton, S Kirwan, E Nugent; J Smith, G McEneaney, M Gardiner; C McMorrow, D Murphy; L O’Boyle, P Reynolds-Hand, C Burke; J McCarville, J Quigley, M McNally. Subs: C Duggan for Smith (40), S Ryan for McMorrow (47), Karl Flynn for Jamie McCarville (48), E O’Connor-Flanagan for Reynolds-Hand (55).

Louth: C O’Donoghue; F Tipping, C Maher, K Martin; T McDonnell, C McKeown, J Maguire; D McDonnell, S Callaghan; D Dorian, L Flynn, P Grimes-Murphy; A McGlew, S Reynolds, K McArdle. Subs: R Deery for Tipping (47), D Reilly for Dorian (51), C McGinty for D McDonnell (60).

Referee: David Hickey (Carlow).

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