Senior Hurling designed_Layout 1 19/12/2013 16:16 Page 5
match to send the visitors into the back-door route. Louth, 2013 Nicky Rackard Cup V Tyrone: James Connolly; Donal Rafferty, Johnny Carter, Mark Wallace; Domhnall McArdle (0-1), Shane Callan, Diarmuid Murphy (0-4); Darren O'Hanrahan, Nigel Stanley; Shane Fennell (0-2), Gerard Smyth, David Dunne; David Mahony, Andrew Mackin, Brian Corcoran (0-5). Subs: David Kettle, Andrew McCrave, Padraig Egan. As it transpired, Louth went straight through to the quarter-final stage anyway, despite losing their opening game. But they faced a tough test against Roscommon – away from home – on Saturday, May 18th. The Rossies had defeated the Wee County
in the 2011 decider and they prevailed again in terrible conditions at Ballyhaunis – 2-14 to 0-13. The match had been fixed originally for Athleague but – controversially – Roscommon declared that the pitch there was unplayable, which meant the game was moved to the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence. This was not a small matter as it added an extra 90 minutes to Louth’s journey on the morning of the game – now a four-anda-half-hour cross-country trek. Robbie Fallon’s first-minute goal gave the victors a perfect start and they led by 1-6 to 0-7 at the break. The visitors finished the opening period strongly with a run of points from David Dunne, David Mahony, top scorer Diarmuid Murphy and Brian Corcoran.
As Louth threatened to battle back into contention, Gerry Fallon killed them off with a goal from a penalty at the three-quarters stage. Defeat came as a major setback to Louth and this was compounded by word that they might have to contest a play-off to preserve their third-tier status, an eventuality which thankfully never materialised. Louth (2013 Nicky Rackard Cup V Roscommon): Johnny Carter; Donal Rafferty, Wesley Morrissey, Mark Wallace; Domhnall McArdle, Ronan Byrne, Derek Horan; David Dunne (01), Shane Callan (0-1); Shane Fennell, Nigel Stanley, David Kettle; David Mahony (0-2), Diarmuid Murphy 90-8), Brian Corcoran (0-2). Subs: Padraig Egan, Daire McKiernan.
Shane Fennell strikes as Fermanagh's Ryan Bogue looks on during the Allianz HL game
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