ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION TWO: Galway 1-8 Louth 0-11:LOUTH AND Galway maintained their unbeaten start to the league and both were left lamenting the loss of a winning position in an entertaining and competitive encounter at Pearse Stadium.
Galway enjoyed a superb start into the strong wind and seemed poised for victory when they raced into a 1-5 to 0-2 lead after 20 minutes. But they lost their way around the middle of the field and in the 50-50 clashes and in the end were fortunate to hold on for a draw as Louth recovered.
Louth manager Peter Fitzpatrick commented, “In the first half things didn’t look too well ... but it just goes to show how important having a panel is because we threw in five subs and a few fresh legs. They really showed that Louth football is on the way up.”
It didn’t look good for Louth when Galway moved six points clear in the 20th minute when Danny Cummins goaled.
But Galway were very disappointing in the second half, scoring just two points with the wind at their back, although Louth never actually led. Andy McDowell and Adrian Reid pointed to level the game after 50 minutes. Paul Conroy edged Galway in front before Eoin O’Connor restored parity with 14 minutes remaining.
Galway wing-back Gareth Bradshaw notched his second point but Jim McEneaney levelled with three minutes left, and Louth missed a few late chances to win it.
GALWAY: A Faherty; C Forde, F Hanley, K Kelly; G Bradshaw (0-2), J Duane, G O'Donnell; T Flynn (0-1), F Ó Curraoin; G Sice, P Conroy (0-1), M Hehir; M Martin (0-2, one free), N Joyce (0-1), D Cummins (1-1). Subs: C Bane for Conroy (52 mins); C Doherty for Hehir (52 mins), S Maughan for Martin (59 mins).
Louth: N Gallagher; P Rath, D Finnegan, G Hoey; R Finnegan, J Carr, L Shevlin; P Keenan (0-1), B Donnelly; D Crilly (0-1), R Carroll (0-1), A Reid (0-1); M Brennan (0-1), A McDonnell (0-1), D Clarke (0-3, one free). Subs: JP Rooney for Clarke (52 mins); E O'Connor (0-1) for Reid (52 mins); D Byrne for D Finnegan (62 mins); J McEneaney (0-1) for Brennan (63 mins); A Hoey for Carroll (65 mins).
Referee: D Fahy (Longford).
