All-Ireland SFC Group 3, round three
Louth 2-17 Clare 2-14
LOUTH booked their place in the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final draw after edging a tense encounter with Clare in Portlaoise.
After a flat aftermath to Leinster success, Ger Brennan’s men needed a response and despite some late nerves, they delivered just enough to get over the line against a spirited but winless Clare outfit.
The Banner, still searching for their first victory in the All-Ireland series, threatened at times, particularly during a frantic second half push when they reduced the gap to a single score. Ultimately, they lacked the composure and finishing power to bridge the gap the Leinster champions had built before the break.
Louth’s first-half performance was sharp, dominant, and full of running, illustrated with Ciarán Downey excelling in a more deeper role, and Sam Mulroy inside. The pair amassed 2-11 between them.
With both rifling home goals, the Wee county side took a commanding 2-8 to 0-6 lead into the break.
Clare, to their credit, refused to roll over. A second-half rally, ignited by defender Rory McMahon’s goal put Louth under slight pressure.
The Bannermen grew in belief as the half wore on, and when Eoin Cleary rattled the net late on, the game looked like it might slip from Louth’s grasp.
With starting goalkeeper Niall McDonnell forced off injured, U20 All-Ireland stopper Tiernan Markey was thrust into action for his senior debut in the closing stages.
Brennan’s side showed enough composure to hold on. Crucially, substitute Conor Branigan clipped over two points at vital stages, either side of Clare’s late burst.
Louth knew a draw would suffice and played the game out that way. The victory provides renewed life heading into the knock-out phase, while Clare’s wait for an All-Ireland group stage win continues.
Louth N McDonnell; D McKenny, E Carolan, D Corcoran; C McKeever, P Lynch, D Nally; D McDonnell, T Durnin; C Grimes 0-1, C Downey 1-5 (1tp), C Lennon 0-1, C Keenan, S Mulroy 1-6, (0-2f, 1tpf, 1tp), R Burns 0-1
Subs R Walsh 0-1 for Lennon (32), C Branigan 0-2 for Grimes (53), D McConnon for Keenan (53), A Williams for Burns (65), T Markey for McDonnell (65), K McArdle for Downey (68).
Clare S Ryan 0-1f; M Doherty, R Lanigan, R McMahon 1-0; C Rouine, A Sweeney, I Ugwueru; B McNamara 0-1, D Walsh; D Coughlan, E McMahon 0-2, C Meaney; A Griffin 0-1, E Cleary 1-2, M McInerney 0-6 (0-3f)
Subs S Griffin for Meaney (24), B Rouine for Walsh (50), J Stack for Sweeney (59), K Sexton 0-1 for Cleary (64) C Downes for McMahon (67).
Referee Barry Tiernan (Dublin)
