LOUTH 1-12 TIPPERARY 1-10

A dogged performance best summed up the Louth display in Drogheda today, after Peter Fitzpatrick's side finally got to grips with their Tipperary counterparts and claim a two-point victory. Not for the first time this year the Wee County had Sean Connor to thank, after the St Patricks goalkeeper pulled off a fantastic stop in the dying moments of the enthralling encounter to preserve Louth's 100% record in this years Allianz League Division 3.

With the wind behind their backs Tipperary stole a march on their hosts racing into a 0-4 to 0-2 after fifteen minutes; Barry Grogan, Brian Fox (2) and Johnny Cagney with the Tipp scores, while Louth's only responses came from the free taking of Shane Lennon, continuing his confident start to the campaign. Ray Finnegan narrowed the gap, with a fine score on the run, following good interplay between Paddy Keenan, Adrian Reid and Lennon. However, a lapse in concentration in the Louth defence presented Grogan with the opportunity to stretch the Premier County's lead, and his low drive past Connor was due reward for their bright opening. A well worked free kick from Louth, resulted in a fine score from Declan Byrne, and this was soon followed up by defensive partner Gerard Hoey, to narrow the gap. A pointed free kick from Conor Sweeney reinstated Tipperary's three point lead but this was soon canceled out by Lennon's clinical left footed finish past the despairing dive of Paul Fitzgerald. A free kick from Lennon put Louth into the lead for the first time in the game but another free kick from Sweeney ensured that the sides went into the half time interval level.
Half-time: Louth 1-06 Tipperary 1-06

Shane Lennon continued his fine scoring form versus Tipperary, claiming 1-05 [Photo: Arthur Kinahan]

A well struck free kick from Grogan from 40 metres got the second half proceedings under way, but two quick scores from Mark Brennan and Lennon put Louth in front for just the second time in the game. However, a run of scores from Tipperary from the impressive Grogan (2) and Sweeney meant that Louth had it all to do going into the ten minutes of the contest. The introduction of JP Rooney provided extra impetus in the Louth forward line and after the Martins man drew a foul, Lennon's accurate free taking closed the gap to a solitary point. With the home crowd growing in voice, captain Keenan's fine left footed score put the sides level, after being set up by midfield partner Ronan Carroll. Moments later the experienced heads on the Louth side came to the fore, with Rooney and Ray Finnegan combining well to set up Keenan who struck the ball sweetly over the bar from 30 metres. A further score from Brennan stretched Louth's lead to two points for the first time of the contest, but the Wee County were indebted to the heroics of Connor, and his fine stop in injury time from Paddy Codd's well struck shot ensured Louth made it two wins from two in the Allianz League Division 3.
Full-time: Louth 1-12 Tipperary 0-12

Derek Maguire in action versus Tipperary [Photo: Arthur Kinahan]

Best for Louth were the half back line of Ray and Dessie Finnegan and Declan Byrne, while Paddy Keenan and Derek Crilly battled hard throughout and the introduction of JP Rooney was crucial in getting Louth across the finish line.

Scorers: Shane Lennon (1-05), Paddy Keenan and Mark Brennan (0-02) each, Ray Finnegan, Declan Byrne, Gerard Hoey (0-01) each.

LOUTH: Sean Connor; Eamonn McAuley, Aaron Hoey, Gerard Hoey, Ray Finnegan, Dessie Finnegan, Declan Byrne, Paddy Keenan, Ronan Carroll; Derek Crilly, Mark Brennan, Andy McDonnell,  Derek Maguire, Shane Lennon, Adrian Reid. Subs: Ronan Greene for E McAuley (31), Brian Donnelly for A McDonnell (h/t), JP Rooney for D Maguire (52).

TIPPERARY: Paul Fitzgerald; Ciaran McDonald, Paddy Codd, Andrew Morrissey; Christopher Aylward, Lorcan Egan, Niall Curran; Brian Jones, George Hannigan; Brian Fox 0-2, Johnny Cagney 0-1, Peter Acheson; Conor Sweeney 0-3, Seamus Grogan, Barry Grogan 1-4.

REFEREE: Damien Brazil (Offaly)

Listen to LMFM's Colum Corrigan's post-match interviews with Ray Finnegan and Peter Fitzpatrick