Captain Sam Mulroy was the Louth hero as his 73rd-minute free proved to be the match-winning score against Cork and sent the Wee County into a first ever All-Ireland quarter-final.
The Division 2 sides were deadlocked at a sun-drench Inniskeen and looked set to be heading for extra-time when Cork defender Matty Taylor was deemed to have fouled his flying wing-back Craig Lennon after a rapid counter-attack.
Mulroy, quiet by his loft standards for the majority of what was a cagey contest, delivered when it mattered most to swing over the free out of his hands and ensure that Ger Brennan's side will be in Croke Park next weekend in the last eight of the championship.
In 20 degree heat, it was a very subdued start to the game.
Brian O’Driscoll and Craig Lennon exchanged the opening scores in sweltering conditions, before Ryan Burns reeled off two points in succession to deservedly give Louth a two-point advantage and Cork asking few questions.
Two points from play from the impressive Colm O’Callaghan had the sides level again on four points apiece before the first green flag of the game was raised.
It was Cork with the goal on the stroke of half time and from an unlikely source in full-back Daniel O’Mahony.
O’Mahony linked up brilliantly with Ian Maguire who spotted the Knocknagree man’s perfectly timed run. With the full-back nearing goal, he smartly flicked the ball over Niall McDonell to put Cork four points ahead.
Louth managed one last point of the half with Sam Mulroy getting his second score of the game to leave Cork leading by three at the break.
Sensing the urgency of the situation against the breeze, Louth rattled off three points in the first seven second half minutes to bring themselves back level once more and give a very clear message to Cork of their intentions in the second half. Mulroy, Paul Matthews and Lennon with the scores.
John Cleary’s side retreated into a passive and cautious approach in possession before captain Brian Hurley got his side back up and running to edge the visitors back in front once again but their lead wouldn’t last long.
A long speculative boot of a ball high into the box from Conor Grimes caused mayhem around the box. Chris Kelly in the Cork goal looked to have gathered the ball cleanly, but to his dismay the ball squirmed out of his grasp as he went to ground.
Louth corner-back Donal McKenny was quickest to react to bury the ball into the back of the net and record his second goal in a week.
A roller coaster of a narrative now required a Cork comeback and come it did with Chris Og Jones the man this time to step up with two fine points from play to draw the sides level for the fifth time with eight minutes remaining.
With the tension palpable, neither side could muster a score before the clock moved into the red.
With all but ten seconds of the three minutes of injury time played, Louth broke up the field with Craig Lennon fouled as he accelerated deep into the Cork half.
Cork defender Matty Taylor was aggrieved with referee Noel Mooney’s decision, and unfortunately from a Cork perspective, it was well within range for a player of Sam Mulroy’s quality as he nailed the effort from his hands to the delight of the home support.
There was time for one last kick out but Louth regained possession and the full time whistle was blown for a truly memorable victory for the Wee County.
A very first senior inter county All Ireland quarter final awaits next weekend.
Louth: Niall McDonnell; Donal McKenny (1-0), Dermott Campbell, Dan Corcoran; Conall McKeever, Anthony Williams, Craig Lennon (0-2); Tommy Durnin, Bevan Duffy; Conor Early, Ciaran Keenan, Conor Grimes; Ryan Burns (0-2), Sam Mulroy (0-4, 4f), Ciaran Byrne
Subs: Paul Matthews (0-1) for Ciaran Byrne [27], Leonard Gray for Conor Early [63], Liam Jackson for Ryan Burns [69]
Cork: Christopher Kelly; Maurice Shanley, Daniel O’Mahony (1-0), Kevin Flahive; Matty Taylor, Tommy Walsh, Rory Maguire (0-1); Ian Maguire, Colm O’Callaghan (0-3); Brian O’Driscoll (0-1), Mark Cronin, Ruairi Deane; Stephen Sherlock, Chris Og Jones (0-2), Brian Hurley (0-1)
Subs: Thomas Clancy for Tommy Walsh [23], Eoghan McSweeny for Ruari Deane [51], Sean Powter for Stephen Sherlock [56], Conor Corbett for Mark Cronin [59]
Referee: Noel Mooney
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