Derry survive Louth fightback

Derry survived a gutsy fightback from 14-man Louth to keep their promotion bid firmly on track in Drogheda.

Despite adjourning at half-time with a five-point lead, 1-9 to 1-4, the Oak Leaf men were turning around to face into a gale force wind in the second period, and, if anything, the home camp was the happier one at the interval.

However, early second-half points from Enda Lynn and Gerard O’Kane settled Brian McIver’s men nicely after the restart, and they were still sitting on a six-point lead by the time Mark Brennan received a straight red card from referee Martin Higgins in the 50th minute.

However, Louth eventually started to make use of the elements, and even with 14 men rallied impressively to draw level with 10 minutes left, 1-12 apiece.

However, that proved to be Aidan O’Rourke’s side’s last score as Eoin Bradley ended an 18-minute scoreless streak with a brace of frees for Derry.

As Louth chased a goal in the dying minutes it was the visitors who struck at the other end, with Benny Heron firing home from close range after a Daniel Heavron delivery left him one-on-one with Neil Gallagher.

Louth also impressed against the elements in the opening half and got off to a dream start when Shane Lennon rifled a penalty high past Eoin McNicholl in the first minute.

However, it was soon cancelled out by another penalty at the other end, dispatched by James Kielt, but by and large, Derry struggled to exert their authority with the wind at their backs and Louth would have been happy to adjourn just five points down.

Derry host an already promoted Westmeath in a fortnight in Celtic Park, where a draw would be enough to secure promotion, although Laois and Galway could still take advantage of a late slip-up.

Louth, on the other hand, need a win or a draw at home to relegated Longford to hold onto their Division 2 status.