Although eight points separated the teams at the end of this encounter at Ruislip, the margin could have been much greater had the visitors availed of their opportunities. But time and again fine outfield play was nullified through lack of finishing quality, with the main threat coming from corner forwards Stefan White and Alan Doherty, who totalled seven points.

Louth: C Nally; B Phillips, B Keenan, D O'Sullivan; J Clerkin, J Donaldson, A Hoey; K Reilly, S O'Neill (0-2); V Gargan, S Melia, O McDonnell (0-2); S White (0-3), G O'Neill, A Doherty (0-4). Subs: M Farrelly for V Gargan, J Moroney (0-1) for G O'Neill, C Fitzpatrick for A Hoey.

London: D Feely; B McDonagh, D Gordon, B McShane; S Gaffney, C Wilson, F Downey (0-1); J Gormley, S O'Brien; N Harrington, S O'Sullivan (0-3), A O'Halloran; A Dillane, I Reilly, J Ryan. Subs: T Collins for S Gaffney; P Kerrigan for A O'Halloran; D Flynn for I Reilly.

Referee: G McCabe (Dublin)