A strong final quarter proved pivotal as Dublin completed a four-point victory over a well-organised Louth in their Leinster Senior Football Championship final at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.
In doing so, the Dubs secured their 14th successive provincial title but this was a performance from the holders that left more questions than answers, particularly during a lethargic and imprecise first-half.
Even with a seven-point lead heading into added time, the holders lacked their customary control as they conceded a soft goal to Craig Lennon and those lapses in concentration will require addressing ahead of the round-robin stages.
It's fair to say that Louth’s set-up to frustrate the holders in the first half as they more than held their own despite playing into the breeze blowing from the railway end.
A well-struck Sam Mulroy free opened the scoring in the sixth minute and while Brian Fenton restored parity soon after, Louth restored their lead through a well-worked point from Ciarán Downey.
A Cormac Costello free levelled matters three minutes later and Fenton once again found space behind the heavily-manned Louth defence to edge Dublin in front for the first time.
With every misplaced pass or fumble from the Dubs, their opponents grew in confidence and an excellent Tommy Durnin score reflected Louth’s general comfort as the contest evolved.
With Dublin kicking some uncharacteristic wides, their opponents took full advantage with Conor Grimes kicking two excellent points to restore Louth’s lead while Fenton added his third score of the half in riposte.
A Con O’Callaghan point in the 33rd minute looked to have ensured an interval stalemate but the half finished as it had begun with Mulroy kicking another long-distance free to leave Louth 0-07 to 0-06 ahead at the turnaround.
The heavens opened at half-time, pouring more misery on those gathered on Hill 16, but the Dubs were soon back on level terms as Paul Mannion popped over within two minutes of the restart.
A Cormac Costello free two minutes later edged the holders back in front and a more energetic Dublin doubled their lead by the 40th minute as Ciarán Kilkenny pointed from O’Callaghan’s pass.
However, Mulroy kicked a glorious curling effort a minute later and hopes of an upset were further enhanced as Ciaran Keenan burst through before showing great composure in rounding Stephen Cluxton and slotting into the gaping goal.
In fairness to Dublin, their response to this body blow was impressive as they kicked two points in as many minutes through O’Callaghan and Costello with Louth refusing to bow to their seemingly inevitable fate thanks to further scores from Grimes and Mulroy.
The decisive moment arrived in the 55th minute as substitute Jack McCaffrey seized on a misplaced clearance, allowing O’Callaghan the time and space to crash an unerring finish across Niall McDonnell from eight yards.
O’Callaghan, Costello and Paddy Small put further distance between the teams but Louth gained reward for their efforts in injury time as Lennon palmed home at the back post, a suitably positive ending to a brave showing from Ger Brennan’s side.
Dublin: Stephen Cluxton; Cian Murphy, Michael Fitzsimons, Eoin Murchan; Tom Lahiff (0-01), John Small, Seán Bugler (0-01); Brian Fenton (0-03), James McCarthy; Ciarán Kilkenny (0-01), Cormac Costello (0-06, four frees), Niall Scully; Paul Mannion (0-01), Con O’Callaghan (1-04, one mark), Colm Basquel (0-01).
Subs: Jack McCaffrey for Scully (49), Paddy Small (0-01) for Basquel (49), Brian Howard for Lahiff (64), Ross McGarry for Bugler (64), Killian McGinnis for Mannion (71).
Louth: Niall McDonnell; Dan Corcoran, Peter Lynch, Donal McKenny; Niall Sharkey, Anthony Williams, Conall McKeever; Tommy Durnin (0-01), Conor Grimes (0-04); Ciarán Downey (0-01), Bevan Duffy, Craig Lennon (1-00); Leonard Grey, Sam Mulroy (0-06, five frees), Ciarán Keenan (1-00).
Subs: Dermot Campbell for Sharkey (49), Conor Early for Williams (56), Ciarán Byrne for Durnin (59), Ryan Burns for Keenan (59), Liam Jackson for Grey (65).
Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan).
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