Louth dig out win over Limerick in Ardee four-pointer

Louth picked up their first two points of the Division 2 campaign with a hard earned victory over a dogged Limerick outfit at DEFY Páirc Mhúire.

In a repeat of last year's Division 3 final, both new boys were eyeing each other up for their first league win of the season.

Despite a slow start to proceedings, Sam Mulroy's tour de force after half time would be the difference between the two sides. Louth struck six points in a row and that condemned winless Limerick to another loss.

In what was essentially a four pointer, Louth can now look to the trip to Navan next week with glee, while Limerick face a daunting trip to Páirc Uí Chaoimh in search of their first win in the relegation battle.

With the two sides under increasing pressure to collect points, understandably the start was slack and a slight bit hesitant. Sam Mulroy nibbled on two goal chances but it was late change Colm McSweeney that opened the scoring from long range.

Louth went on to create numerous chances and Niall Sharkey in fact had the ball in the Limerick net only for the breakthrough to be chalked off for a square ball.

With the hosts still reeling, the impressive Hugh Bourke and Cian Sheehan pushed the visitors into a three point lead.

The pressure looked to be getting the better of Mickey Harte’s men until Daire McConnon raced deep into Limerick territory, hit the upright, the ball fell kindly to corner back Dan Corcoran to turn the relief valve with a low shot past Donal O’Sullivan to the back of the net.

Ray Dempsey’s outfit continued to press matters further with some excellent shooting again. The antithesis of Louth’s early play saw Iain Corbett and the impressive Adrian Enright land quality scores at the other end.

It took two Sam Mulroy frees at the end