By 
Louth 1-15 Tyrone 0-13
ANOTHER frustrating display saw Tyrone fall to a second defeat of their National League campaign as they were beaten by Louth in Ardee on Sunday, leaving the Red Hands’ promotion hopes in serious jeopardy. The focus will now shift to avoiding a relegation scrap in Division Two.
The strong intention was that the Red Hands would build on their recently-improved form. But those aspirations were dashed as they failed to make the most of wind advantage in the second half of a enthralling clash.
It was the Leinster champions who boosted their survival chances with a fully-deserved five point victory. But their impressive performance came against the backdrop of a Red Hand display which fell short of what both the management and players must have been anticipating.
Blustery conditions, in addition to a heavy shower of rain just prior to the throw-in, made conditions difficult at St Mary’s Park. The attendance was restricted to just 2,800 for health and safety reasons, and the atmosphere was reiminisent of National League ties from a bygone era before the advent of all-seater stands and terracing.
Louth, with their Tyrone-born manager entered the tie really needing a win. That was the aim, too, for the Red Hands, who made the trip to the Leinster champions aiming to keep alive their promotion hopes.
Close-range passing, a patient build-up and efficient ball retention ensured that they prevented Louth from making full use of the wind in that opening period. An interval deficit of three points was satisfactory for Malachy O’Rourke and the Tyrone players as they sought to make the most of their opportunities on the resumption.
It was Louth who grabbed the initiative early on.
Kieran McArdle opened the scoring for them, before Ciaran Downey gave them a big boost thanks to the opening goal. He lobbed the advancing Niall Morgan in some style to leave them 1-1 to no score ahead after seven minutes.
Tyrone, though, showed some encouraging signs.
The disciplined defending of Michael Rafferty, Aidan Clarke and Michael McKernan worked well. Ben Cullen and Ronan Cassidy forged forward to good effect, while Mattie Donnelly, Seanie O’Donnell and Conn Kilpatrick marshalled a calm and possession-based approach up front.
Points from Darragh Canavan settled them, and it was all about game management as that first half progressed. While the four-point margin for Louth remained largely intact during those opening 35 minutes or so, Tyrone probably dominated in terms of possession.
But Louth always represented a threat and their ability to score two-pointers was a big advantage.
Conor Grimes got their first, Sam Mulroy added another soon after and then Dara McDonnell made the score 1-7 to 0-5 appoaching the closing stages.
Tyrone, though, always looked dangerous and three points before the break highlighted their attacking capacity.
Ben Cullen raced through to fire over from play, while a brace from Darragh Canavan ensured that they completed the half on a high.
Sam Mulroy and Conor Grimes kept Louth in the lead either side of the half-time break.
With wind advantage, Tyrone knew what was required, and a number of wides caused concern immediately on the resumption.
Eoin McElholm came close to getting a goal from a speculative shot, and Tyrone’s ability to put pressure on the Louth defence was beginning to have an impact.
However, Louth were looking dangerous on the counter-attack and a Sam Mulroy pointed free from one such incident restored their four point advantage.
The introduction of Darren McCurry and Rory Brennan added fresh impetus to the Red Hand ranks at a crucial stage of the tie. But they needed scores, and a Niall Morgan converted 45 before a Darragh Canavan pointed free left two between the teams for the first time.
Then the black card dismissal of Tommy Durnin moments after he was introduced piled futher pressure on Louth. A number of missed chances followed for them, as their desperate defensive efforts continued with each passing moment.
Now things were really heating up and it wasn’t going the way that Red Hand fans had been anticipating for this second half.
Points rom Sam Mulroy and then a fine effort from Craig Lennon put Louth four ahead.
The pressure was mounting on Tyrone. The width of the post, Louth’s tenacious defending and a number of disappointing wides proved increasingly-frustrating.
The best chance of a goal came midway through the half when Darragh Canavan was put through, only to be swallowed up by the mass Louth defence. He had to settle for a point, and an injury sustained in the process robbed the Red Hands of vital attacking class for the closing stages.
Time and again, Conn Kilpatrick, Brian Kennedy and Ciaran Daly won the midfield challenges. But they just couldn’t convert those opportunities into scores, with the result that their confidence was hit as Louth grow in resolve and spirit.
Darren McCurry reduced the deficit to just two points with eight minutes remaining, and there was a hope that the Red Hand attack could complete their revival. Instead, though, it was Louth who emerged with the superior power to emerge with the win.
A brace from Sam Mulroy sandwiched a Craig Lennon effort and, as those final minutes ebbed away, the delight of the Leinster side at a memorable win was matched by the forlorn Red Hands who marched off to contemplate where things can be put right in the coming weeks.
Scorers
Tyrone: Darragh Canavan 0-6 (2f), Niall Morgan 0-2 145, 1f, Michael McKernan 0-1, Ben Cullen 0-1, Ciaran Daly 0-1, Seanie O’Donnell 0-1, Darren McCurry 0-1.
Louth: Sam Mulroy 0-7, Conor Grimes 0-3 (1x2pt), Daragh McDonnell 0-2 (1x2pt), Craig Lennon 0-2, Kieran McArdle 0-1, Ciaran Downey 1-0.
Teams
Tyrone: Niall Morgan, Cormac Quinn, Aidan Clarke, Michael Rafferty, Ronan Cassidy, Michael McKernan, Ben Cullen, Brian Kennedy, Ciaran Daly, Eoin McElholm, Conn Kilpatrick, Frank Burns, Darragh Canavan, Mattie Donnelly, Seanie O’Donnell. Subs used: Darren McCurry for E McElholm (45), Rory Brennan for F Burns (46), Ruairi Canavan for B Cullen (54), Ethan Jordan for D Canavan (56),
Louth: Niall McDonnell, Padraic Tinnelly, Dermot Campbell, Donal McKenny, Tadgh McDonnell, Emmett Carolan, Craig Lennon, Dara McDonnell, Conor Early, Paul Mathews, Sam Mulroy, Conor Grimes, Kieran McArdle. Ciaran Downey, Ryan Burns.Subs used:Conall McKeever for P Mathews (44), Tommy Durnin for D McDonnell (49), Eoghan Callaghan for D Campbell (56).
Referee: David Murnan, Cork
