A PRODIGIOUS display of free-taking by corner forward Colin Kelly, which yielded him all but one of his team's scores, caused massive problems for Dublin at Dundalk yesterday and may yet cost them their place in the second division of the National Football League.

At half-time on a bright but freezing day there were few signs of defeat for the All-Ireland champions. They had played against the wind in the first half and were a mere point adrift. In addition, Louth's Cathal O'Hanlon had been sent off in the last minute of the half, leading Dublin followers in a crowd of about 4,000 to conclude that victory was there for the taking.

Dublin had shot six wides in the first half hour but Louth were even more prodigal and had recorded no fewer than seven. When Joe McNally reacted with typical aplomb to an opportunity to score a goal and cut the Louth lead to a single point after 14 minutes of the second half a Dublin win seemed inevitable, but Louth buckled down to their task with admirable determination.

The home team's second half performance with 14 men was in contrast to their earlier lack of teamwork and resolve. Kelly's free-taking made all the difference. Having missed a couple of chances in the first half he seemed to steady his nerve against the wind, and two successful efforts from more than 40 yards stretched Louth's half-time lead to three points.

The Dublin attack was finding the heavy going difficult, and some very poor passing and inaccurate shooting robbed them of the scores which they needed.

Eamonn Heery showed the way to his forwards when he ended a move, which featured David Martin, Joe McNally and Vinny Murphy, with a point to leave the score 0-5 to 0-3 in favour of Louth.

However, Kelly pointed two other frees as the Dublin defence seemed to panic under the watchful eye of the Donegal refere, Martin McGrath.

It was then that McNally struck. His goal was a gift from the Louth goalkeeper, Niall O'Donnell. Dublin substitute P Gilroy floated a searching ball into the Louth goalmouth where O'Donnell, under pressure erred by knocking the ball away rather than going for the catch, and the ball fell perfectly for McNally to drive it first time to the net.

Even the Louth supporters seemed to believe then that a decisive Dublin effort was about to be launched, but Louth came back for another successful Kelly point from a free and Dublin's efforts were driven back until Heery popped up again for another long-range point.

Dessie Farrell had an opportunity to level the scores, but he opted to take a free from his hands and curled it well wide. Kelly then pointed another difficult free into the wind.

Time was beginning to run out for Dublin, and when Vinnie Murphy cut the lead to a single point with four minutes to go after good work by Paul Curran and Pat Gilroy, Dublin looked set for at least a draw.

As tempers began to fray in the difficult conditions, Dublin's Paul Curran was booked for a second time and sent off, and a Farrell effort went wide as Louth continued to defend bravely.

Yet another free from Kelly, this time from the sideline, seemed to be on its way over the bar before it was caught by the wind and John O'Leary had to be at his most vigilant to catch and clear. The final whistle sounded with Louth a single point in front.

Dublin's new manager Mickey Whelan was philosophical afterwards. "We missed our chances and they took theirs. Some of the young lads did well for us but we will have, to fight very hard to stay in Division Two. We will be without Paul Curran who will he suspended for the next, match and Keith Barr's shoulder is troubling him again.

"They were fitter than us and showed the effect of six weeks' training," he said.