NFL DIVISION THREE Louth 1-12 Wexford 0-11:PADDY KEENAN'S 26th minute goal from a penalty proved the crucial score as Louth eventually edged their way to a deserved four -point victory at Wexford Park yesterday.

Louth, who opened impressively, raced into a three-point lead, 0-4 to 0-1, by the 15th minute.

The accuracy of Wexford duo Ben Brosnan and Ciaran Lyng had the home side level at 0-4 apiece after 24 minutes, but Louth led 1-4 to 0-5 at the interval.

Points from Lyng (two) and Brosnan edged Wexford ahead, but Louth finished the stronger and in the closing 15 minutes excellent points from Shane Lennon, Keenan, Derek Maguire and sub JP Rooney saw them safely home.

LOUTH: S Connor; D Byrne, D Finnegan, S Fitzpatrick; G Hoey, A Hoey, R Finnegan; P Keenan (1-3, 1-0 pen, one free), R Carroll; D Crilly, A McDonnell, M Brennan (0-1); D Maguire (0-3), S Lennon (0-4, 0-3 frees), A Reid. Subs: B Donnelly for Carroll (inj. 4); E McCauley for Byrne (30 mins); JP Rooney (0-1) for Reid (46 mins); C Judge for McDonnell (70 mins).

WEXFORD: A Masterson; R Tierney, G Molloy, C Carty; B Malone, D Murphy, A Doyle; R Quinlivan, D Waters; S ONeill, R Barry, C Morris; C Lyng (0-3, one free), S McLoughlin (0-1), B Brosnan (0-7, four frees, one 45. Subs: N Murphy for Tierney (50 mins); K OGrady for McLoughlin (53 mins); B Doyle for Quinlivan (56 mins); P Byrne for Morris (60 mins); R Hughes for Molloy (blood sub 62 mins); L Og McGovern for Malone (blood sub. 62 mins).

Referee: D Brazil(Offaly).