Tommy Murphy Cup Final/ Louth 3-14 Leitrim 1-11: The final score was never going to matter a whole lot - the muted reaction of the Louth players at the end was proof. But the Tommy Murphy Cup served its purpose yesterday and gave two teams that would usually be on holiday at this time a memorable day out in Croke Park.
For Leitrim, naturally, it won't be as memorable - they were well outplayed, their opponents' forwards the main difference as Louth joined Clare and Tipperary on the list of Tommy Murphy Cup winners.
When Louth captain Martin Farrelly lifted the silverware he noted he was the first Louth captain to walk up the steps of the Hogan stand in 49 years. Louth have real ambitions of impacting on the championship, and this victory marks progress toward that goal.They also win a trip to Boston next month to play a north American selection, yet manager Eamonn McEneaney said he'd give them a month off, then start preparing for next year - which includes life in Division One of the National League.
Louth showed potential this year - giving Meath an early fright and forcing Tyrone to a replay in the qualifiers - and offered reminders yesterday. Darren Clarke was outstanding at corner forward, hitting seven great scores. Ronan Carroll and Shane Lennon weren't too far behind in scoring exploits, and all six starting forwards contributed to the 3-14 total - including a late, deflected goal for JP Rooney.
Midfield also went Louth's way thanks to Farrelly and Paddy Keenan, while John O'Brien and Ray Finnegan made excellent attacking runs from deep. Brian White's goal just five minutes in gave Louth the daylight they held until the end. Chances are the next time they play Croke Park people will pay more attention.
LOUTH: S Reynolds; D Brennan, C Goss, J O'Brien; P McGinnity, M Fanning, R Finnegan (0-1); M Farrelly, P Keenan (0-1); B White (1-1), M Brennan (0-1), R Carroll (0-2); D Clarke (0-7, one free), S Lennon (1-1), JP Rooney (1-0). Subs: A Page for Goss (34 mins), M Stanfield for Lennon (39 mins), C Grimes for Farrelly, T O'Brien for White (both 58 mins), C Judge for Clarke (71 mins).
LEITRIM: C McCrann; D Reynolds, J McKeon, M McGuinness; B McWeeney, F Holohan, S Foley; G McCloskey, C Carroll; C Regan, M Foley, B Prior (0-1); J Glancy (0-1), D Brennan, C Duignan (0-6, all frees). Subs: D Maxwell (0-3) for Regan (26 mins), D McHugh for Foley (half time), N Doonan (1-0) for Carroll (55 mins), R Gallagher for Glancy (63 mins), M Green for McWeeney (69 mins).
Referee: J McKee (Armagh).
