Donegal hurlers go one step closer to promotion with convincing win over Louth

Donegal made it four wins from four and are one victory away from returning to Division 2 of the National Hurling League after a comprehensive 17-point win over Louth at a cold and blustery PPFS Darver on Sunday afternoon.

John Kealy’s first-half goal helped Donegal into a ten-point lead with Gerard Gilmore and Liam McKinney doing a lot of the scoring, although a red card for Danny Cullen gave the visitors a man disadvantage.

But that didn’t stop them from dominating the match, and two second-half goals from Dungloe’s Richie Ryan helped them make it four wins from four in the league.

The Wee County might have hoped to build a platform with a slight breeze favouring them in the first half, but instead, it was the visitors who adapted quickest and struck early and often to take control.

Donegal were on the front foot from the throw-in, with Burt man McKinney opening the scoring inside a minute after an initial wide.

Peter Kelly doubled the advantage soon after, and although Kyle Rafferty steadied Louth with their first point on four minutes, the tone had already been set.

A good save from Louth goalkeeper Conor Clancy denied Kelly a goal, but the reprieve was brief. Gerard Gilmore converted the resulting ‘65, and Donegal continued to find space and time in the Louth half.

McKinney and Conor Gartland added points before John Kealy struck for the game’s opening goal to stretch the margin to seven.

By the midpoint of the half, Donegal were dictating proceedings, and McKinney’s third from play and a Gilmore free pushed them further clear.

Darren Geoghegan finally responded for Louth from a placed ball, and there was a flicker of momentum when Donegal’s Danny Cullen saw red for a challenge on Ciarán McKelvey.

Geoghegan punished the foul with another free, but even with 14 men, Donegal remained composed.

Gilmore and Kelly kept the scoreboard ticking over, while Peter Fortune’s excellent long-range effort was the only other bright note for the home side before the interval.

Donegal led by 10 points at halftime, and the scoreboard accurately reflected their superiority in the opening half.

Half time: Louth 0-4 Donegal 1-11

Any hopes of a Louth revival were quickly dampened in the second half when Gilmore pointed a free before delivering a high, hanging ball that Richie Ryan converted to the net.

Ryan followed with a point of his own before substitute Ronan McDermott added another, a score that looked wide from the sideline but was waved over.

Andrew La Touche Cosgrave’s well-taken goal offered the Reds encouragement, but it proved only a brief interruption.

Geoghegan continued to plug away from frees, but Donegal’s response was emphatic.

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Ryan blasted his second goal to the corner after neat interplay with Gartland, and Gilmore’s accuracy from placed balls ensured there would be no late drama.

Frustration surfaced late on when a disputed Gilmore free was allowed to stand despite appearing also to drift wide. Louth joint manager Paddy McArdle was subsequently shown a red card following his protests from the sideline.

James Murphy tagged on a late free for Louth, but Donegal had the final say with a closing point to seal a comprehensive 17-point victory.

Donegal now make it four wins from four in Division Three and will face third-placed side Wicklow in Letterkenny next Sunday, knowing a win will ensure promotion and a spot in the league final.

Louth scorers: Darren Geoghegan 0-6,5f; Andrew La Touche Cosgrave 1-0; Peter Fortune, Kyle Rafferty and James Murphy 0-1 each.

Donegal scorers: Gerard Gilmore 0-10,7f,1’65; Richie Ryan 2-1; Liam McKinney 0-4; Peter Kelly 0-3; John Kealy 1-0; Conor Gartland and Ronan McDermott 0-1 each.

Louth: Conor Clancy; Stephen Kettle, Aaron McGuinness, Seán Hodgins; John Casey, Peter Fortune, Michael O'Shea; Darren Geoghegan, Seán Flynn; Andrew La Touche Cosgrave, Seán Magill, Kyle Rafferty; Conor Murphy, Ciarán McKevley, Mark Gahan.

Subs: Ronan Hackett for Seán Hodgins (13), Seaghan Coneelly for Mark Gahan (49), Thomas McCreesh for Kyle Rafferty (49), James Murphy for Ciarán McKelvey (58), Ricky McKeown for Andrew La Touche Cosgrave (68).

Donegal: Luke White; Oisin Kelly, James Dillon, Donal Farrelly; Ryan Hilferty, Conor O'Grady, Danny Cullen; Liam McKinney, Gerard Gilmore; Kevin Kealy, Richie Ryan, Peter Kelly, Declan Coulter, Conor Gartland, John Kealy.

Subs: Ronan McDermott for John Kealy (45), Brian McIntyre for Ryan Hilferty (47), Conor Diver for Declan Coulter (49), James Monagle for Liam McKinney (58), Kieran Brady for Conor Gartland (62).

Referee: Ciarán McCloskey (Antrim).