McCumiskey has final say

Down 1-14 Louth 2-10: A sound beating in Drogheda 12 months ago set the tone for a disappointing first season at the helm for Ross Carr, but he watched his side make it two league wins from two starts at the same venue yesterday.

Down were not in front until substitute Paul McCumiskey floated over a superb point from the left touchline in injury-time of an absorbing encounter.

Louth took the game to their visitors in the opening quarter to open up a commanding 1-4 to 0-1 lead. Returning wing-back, Jamie Carr kept his cool to slot home an Aaron Hoey pass after 11 minutes.

Louth looked set for a handsome half-time lead until Alan Page body-checked John Clarke off the ball just a minute before the break. Kevin McKernan dispatched the spot-kick to leave Louth with a vastly reduced advantage, 1-6 to 1-4.

However, the home side made amends on the resumption as Shane Lennon finished off a good move just two minutes in. Down managed to draw level with a few fine efforts from John Clarke.

Louth edged back in front with two more Aaron Hoey frees, but Ross Carr's side finished with four points on the bounce, including that crucial McCumiskey effort.

DOWN: B McVeigh; C McGovern, G McArdle, M Cole; D O'Hanlon, L Doyle (0-2, frees), R Murtagh (0-1); D Gordon, J Lynch; J Fegan (0-2, one free), K McKernan (1-0), D Hughes (0-3); J Clarke (0-5), C Magee, R Sexton. Subs: A Rogers for Lynch (half-time), L Howard for McGovern (43 mins), C Murney for O'Hanlon (46 mins), B Coulter for McGee (49 mins), P McCumiskey (0-1) for K McKernan (57 mins).

LOUTH: S Connor; A Page, C Goss, B McArdle; J O'Brien, C McGuinness, J Carr (1-0); M Fanning, R Carroll; J Murray (0-1), A Hoey (0-5, four frees, one 45), M Stanfield, C Judge (0-1), S Lennon (1-2), B White. Subs: D Finnegan for McGuinness (27 mins), R Finnegan (0-1) for Stanfield (61 mins), D Clarke for Judge (61 mins), J Neary for O'Brien (69 mins).

Referee: P Hughes (Armagh).

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times