Dublin 2-14 Louth 0-13:Moral champions of Leinster they maybe but Louth are out of the All-Ireland football championship after being comprehensively beaten by Dublin at Croke Park. Two weeks after being denied a provincial title by a very bad call against Meath, the Wee County can have few complaints this time round.
They outscored Dublin the second half, by 10 points to nine, but considerable damage was done in the first half, primarily by full-forward Eoghan O’Gara, who scored two goals before the break to all but ensure a quarter-final berth.
Louth played far too fast and loose early on and were three points down within minutes.
Goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton opened the scoring with a 45, then Alan Brogan dropped his first over the bar and his brother, Bernard, pointed from a free after Neil Gallagher abandoned his goal and fouled the Dublin marksman when caught in possession.
The early advantage was doubled two minutes later when O’Gara fielded, turned and burst past three Louthmen before firing past Gallagher.
Dublin then passed up some chances as Brian White registered the first of his three points before the break, but the were soon back in gear and Bryan Cullen pointed twice from wing forward either side of another Cluxton 45.
O’Gara then pounced again, proving too strong for the Louth rearguard when bearing down on goal and hitting the net.
It was a hammer blow for Louth and, despite two more points from White, they trailed by nine at the break.
A point from Declan Byrne and two from Andy McDonnell gave Louth some impetus in the second half but Dublin matched them most of the way, with Alan Brogan, O’Gara and man-of-the-match Cullen adding to their tallies.
Dublin, who so often rely too much on Bernard Brogan, had to wait until the last minute to see the forward get his first from play.
A disappointing end to what was so nearly a glorious campaign for Louth but on this evidence they left everything on the pitch against Meath.