Louth overcame a sterner examination than they might have expected from London at Drogheda.
After David Reilly opened the scoring Louth gradually pulled clear with points from Nicky Malone, J P Rooney, Ollie McDonnell and Paddy McGuigan. At the interval Louth were leading 0-10 to 0-4 and they increased that lead on the restart with points from Paddy McGuigan and Christy Grimes.
A Don Kirwan goal nine minutes into the second half confirmed Louth's superiority despite two late goals from Julian Grimes and Finbar Downey.
Louth: C Nally; B Phillips, D Reilly, M Rooney; P McGinnity, J McGrane, S Gerrard; P McGuigan (0-4), M Farrelly (0-1); J Holland, M Malone (0- 2), O McDonnell (0-3); D Reilly (0-2), D Kirwan (1-0), J P Rooney (0-3). Subs: C Grimes (0-3) for Holland, C Doyle for B Phillips, M Stanfield (0-1) for D Reilly, K Callaghan for M Malone, B Clarke for S Gerard.
London: D Kelly; N McSherry, B McDonagh, M Donaghue; C Lynott, P Rafter, N Lynch (0-1); T Murphy D Deering; F Downey (1-0), M Galvin (0- 2, one free), S Lynch (0-1, free); P Goggins, J Grimes (1-0), T McGivern (0-4). Subs: K Byrne for D Deering, C Scanlon for N McSherry, D Deering for N Lynch.
Referee: D Coldrick (Co Meath)
