Flashback: Dublin v Louth - Leinster Championship 2008

Dublin take on defending Leinster champions Louth in the Leinster semi-final this weekend. Ahead of that final four clash, Conor Martin looks back at our 1-22 to 0-12 win over the Wee County in 2008.

Dublin’s Leinster defence began in fits and starts- the champions uncharacteristically loose and wasteful as Louth hung right in.

At the break, it was just 0-7 to 0-5, with Derek Crilly and Aaron Hoey leading the charge with two points apiece, and there was an edge to it that suggested trouble if Dublin didn’t sharpen up.

They had stumbled out of the blocks in front of 56,496, four early wides setting the tone.

By the 25th minute every Dublin forward had missed chances- their dominance in the air counting for little.

Louth played with intent. Colm Judge sparked the attack, Hoey was composed, and Ronan Carroll’s surging runs cut through the half-back line.

One burst nearly ended in chaos, a deflection off Stephen O’Shaughnessy crashing off the crossbar before Ross McConnell hacked clear to the relief of Hill 16.

Adrian Reid was lively early on, helping Louth edge in front after trading frees with Tomás Quinn.

Dublin showed flashes- Shane Ryan launching a move finished by Alan Brogan after clever work from Jason Sherlock, but it never truly clicked.

Even when Stuart Reynolds denied Paddy Andrews and Brogan from point-blank range, Louth could not fully capitalise.

Quinn eventually ended a scoreless spell, and with Sherlock beginning to find rhythm, Dublin nudged two clear by half-time.

The restart felt important and Louth struck first through Shane Lennon, but that only seemed to stir Dublin.

Sherlock took control, Quinn found his range, and scores from Collie Moran and Brogan steadied the ship.

Louth responded through Ray Finnegan and a fine Carroll effort after a towering Paddy Keenan catch, yet the decisive moment arrived soon after when Brogan struck.

A slick exchange with Sherlock opened the door, and the captain finished emphatically. There were calls for a square ball, but the goal stood, pushing Dublin into a commanding lead and shifting the mood entirely. Running towards Hill 16, Dublin cut loose.

Points flowed. Andrews opened his Championship account, Quinn clipped his tally up to six, Moran added another, and Brogan surged clear as the game’s dominant figure.

Conal Keaney drove the total on as Louth faded, their late scores from Brian White, Keenan and Crilly little more than consolation.

The gap widened as substitutes like Mark Vaughan joined the scoring before Brogan had the final say.

He finished with 1-7, a captain’s performance on his first Championship day in charge, while Sherlock, in his 55th outing, was the quiet architect, dragging Dublin from a sloppy first half into control.

Around them, Shane Ryan and debutant Eamonn Fennell grew into midfield, dominating kick-outs and setting the platform for Dublin victory.

Dublin would go on to beat Westmeath and then Wexford in the Leinster final before our season was curtailed in the All-Ireland quarter-finals by eventual Sam Maguire winners Tyrone.

Dublin: S Cluxton; D Henry, R McConnell, S O'Shaughnessy; P Casey, B Cullen, B Cahill; E Fennell, S Ryan; C Moran (0-2), J Sherlock (0-2), P Andrews (0-1); A Brogan (captain) (1-7), C Keaney (0-3, 0-3f), T Quinn (0-6, 0-3f).

Subs used: M Vaughan (0-01) for Andrews (52 mins), B McManamon for Sherlock (60), K Nolan for Cullen (66), P McMahon for Cahill (67), D Magee for Fennell (68)

Louth: S Reynolds; D Finnegan, M Fanning, J Neary; J O'Brien, C McGuinness, R Finnegan (0-1); P Keenan (0-1), R Carroll (0-1); A Reid, M Stanfield, D Crilly (0-2, 0-1f); C Judge (0-1), A Hoey  (captain) (0-3, 0-1f), S Lennon (0-1)

Subs used: A Page for Neary (41 mins), J Murray (0-1) for Crilly (43), B White (0-1) for Reid (52), B Donnelly for Stanfield (61)

Referee: Marty Duffy (Sligo)