Mulroy sinks Cork at the death as Louth seal famous win

Captain Sam Mulroy was the Louth hero as his 73rd-minute free proved to be the match-winning score against Cork and sent the Wee County into a first ever All-Ireland quarter-final.

The Division 2 sides were deadlocked at a sun-drench Inniskeen and looked set to be heading for extra-time when Cork defender Matty Taylor was deemed to have fouled his flying wing-back Craig Lennon after a rapid counter-attack.

Mulroy, quiet by his loft standards for the majority of what was a cagey contest, delivered when it mattered most to swing over the free out of his hands and ensure that Ger Brennan's side will be in Croke Park next weekend in the last eight of the championship.

In 20 degree heat, it was a very subdued start to the game.

Brian O’Driscoll and Craig Lennon exchanged the opening scores in sweltering conditions, before Ryan Burns reeled off two points in succession to deservedly give Louth a two-point advantage and Cork asking few questions.

Two points from play from the impressive Colm O’Callaghan had the sides level again on four points apiece before the first green flag of the game was raised.

It was Cork with the goal on the stroke of half time and from an unlikely source in full-back Daniel O’Mahony.

O’Mahony linked up brilliantly with Ian Maguire who spotted the Knocknagree man’s perfectly timed run. With the full-back nearing goal, he smartly flicked the ball over Niall McDonell to put Cork four points ahead.

Louth managed one last point of the half with Sam Mulroy getting his second score of the game to leave Cork leading by three at the break.

Sensing the urgency of the situation against the breeze, Louth rattled off three points in the first seven second half minutes to bring themselves back level once more and give a