Dublin Senior Footballers progress to Leinster Final with big win over Louth

DUBLIN 0-20 

LOUTH 0-10

Dublin produced an exceptional second-half display as they dethroned champions Louth by double scores in their one-sided Leinster Senior Football Championship semi-final at Laois Hire O’Moore Park on Saturday night. 

Dublin controlled large parts of a cagey and slow-burning first-half and were full value for their 0-8 to 0-6 interval lead.

Their supremacy was even more pronounced in the second-half and while they failed to raise a green flag, the Dubs held their opponents scoreless for twenty-two minutes as Cormac Costello top scored with ten points.   

The Dubs made three late changes to their starting line-up with Theo Clancy, Séan MacMahon and Cormac Costello selected at the expense of Tom Lahiff, Eoin Murchan and Con O’Callaghan. 

Despite falling behind to a Conor Grimes score within twenty seconds, Dublin settled well into the encounter, helped as they were by a levelling point by Paddy Small. 

Both sides enjoyed patient periods of possession before the Dubs took the lead in the 8thminute through Nathan Doran with Niall Scully doubling that lead soon after with another smart score from play. 

Charlie McMorrow timed his run well to push Dublin three points clear in the 14th minute and they could and should have doubled that advantage from the resultant kick-out but Small was caught in two minds and blazed wide when racing through on goal. 

While Sam Mulroy kicked Louth’s second score, the holders were playing second fiddle for the large part and a brace of Cormac Costello points handed his side a deserved four-point buffer by the end of the first quarter. 

Brian Howard added to the Dublin tally in the 22nd minute but their lead was gradually eroded as Dara McDonnell’s fine point was augmented by a two-pointer from Ryan Burns. 

With Louth beginning to gain a foothold at midfield, Mulroy edged them closer through a ‘45’ but the influential McMorrow had the final word of the half with his second point leaving Dublin with a narrow two-point lead. 

A Small free extended the Dublin lead within two minutes of the restart and they should have handed themselves further breathing room but Killian McGinnis saw his close-range shot cannon to safety off the crossbar following an incision by McMorrow. 

Dublin were nearly punished for their profligacy as Burns struck the upright at the opposite end and while Mulroy converted the resultant ‘45’, Dublin restored their three-point lead in an instant through a classy Costello score.

Emmet Carolan and Costello (free) traded points before Small intercepted another kick-out, taking the conservative approach on this occasion as he popped over with ease. 

His next involvement was a more contentious one as he looked to be outside the scoring arc when splitting the uprights but referee Brendan Griffin turned away Small’s protests as he insisted on a white flag been raised.  

An orange flag was raised through Costello though as Dublin stretched their lead to seven points by the 49th minute and the Whitehall Colmcille attacker blazed over the crossbar in the 55th minute following a brilliant interception by Scully. 

Dublin’s defence was outstanding during this period of dominance, with Seán MacMahon particularly prominent while McMorrow, Clancy and Nathan Doran showed the leadership required from the less experienced members of the panel. 

The contest meandered to its inevitable conclusion with the returning Luke Breathnach fisting over in the dying seconds to complete a resounding victory for the Dubs.

Scorers – Dublin: C Costello 0-10 (3f, 1 P2); P Small 0-4 (1f); C McMorrow 0-2; N Doran, N Scully, B Howard, L Breathnach 0-1 apiece. Louth: S Mulroy 0-3 (2 ‘45’); R Burns (P2), D McDonnell 0-2 each; C Grimes, E Carolan, K McArdle 0-1 apiece.

Dublin: E Comerford; T Clancy, N Doran, D Byrne; C McMorrow, S MacMahon, E Kennedy; P Ó Cofaigh Byrne, B Howard; S Bugler, N Scully, C Kilkenny; P Small, K McGinnis, C Costello. Subs: T Lahiff for McMorrow (55), L Breathnach for Small (61), C Murphy for Kilkenny (70). 

Louth: N McDonnell; D McKenny, D Campbell, E Carolan; T McDonnell, D McDonnell, C Lennon; J Maguire, C Early; P Mathews, S Mulroy, C Grimes; C Downey, C McCaul, R Burns. Subs: K McArdle for McCaul (half-time), T Durnin for Grimes (41), C McKeever for Maguire (49), L Gray for T McDonnell (55), 

Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry).