Louth record 1-17 to 0-11 win over Leitrim in All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers

The physicality of substitute Conor Grimes was the difference for Louth as his personal tally of 1-1 put a halt to their dismal year with a 1-17 to 0-11 win over Leitrim in Drogheda.

Colin Kelly’s men excelled in the second-half at the Gaelic Grounds and Grimes’ effort came at the perfect time as they held their opponents to just three points in the final 35 minutes.

Leitrim have now won just once in 16 outings in the qualifiers and it is back to the drawing board for manager Shane Ward. It was a poor showing again in this year's championship and they will no further action until next January's FBD League.

The game was in the balance at the break, although Louth led 0-11 to 0-8 after an enterprising opening where both sides kicked some good efforts from play and frees.

Fergal Clancy was impressive for Leitrim as they stayed in the game while opposing midfielder James Califf was prolific from frees.

He struck their first inside two minutes and Bevan Duffy added another before Kevin Conlon got Leitrim’s account up and running six minutes in.

It was the perfect advert for free-flowing football and Ryan Burns’ score exemplified that.

Clancy then kicked into gear with two on the trot to draw Leitrim level and with Louth corner-back Padraig Rath getting a black card it was looking good for the visitors.

But Paraic Smith shored things up and Louth led 0-6 to 0-3 in the 17th minute when Burns hit his second of the day.

Clancy responded but every time Leitrim got close the home side could find that bit extra.

After Clancy slotted his fourth of the half Burns pushed Louth further clear and they hit three of the last four scores – Conlon’s effort closed out the half.

The conditions worsened after the break and Louth adapted much better to the rain.

Smith fired the warning shot when he slotted and despite Conlon’s free Louth hit the next two scores.

They were crucial. Colm Judge kicked a point and substitute Grimes blasted to the net in the 48th minute to give them a 1-13 to 0-9 lead.

Danny Beck fired back in vain for Leitrim as Grimes added a point to his tally and Declan Byrne pushed them further clear.

Conlon continued to do his bit for Ward’s side but they still trailed by seven points after his third free.

And as the game winded down, Tommy Durnin and Derek Maguire put a gloss on the scoreline for the Wee County.

Louth: C Lynch; P Rath, D Finnegan, A Williams; D Byrne (0-1), D O'Hanlon, A Reid; T Durnin (0-1), J Califf (0-3, 3f); B Duffy (0-1), P Smith (0-2), C McKeever; R Burns (0-3, 1f), C Judge (0-2), R Holdcroft (0-2).

Subs: E Lafferty for Rath (10), D Maguire (0-1) for McKeever (40), C Grimes (1-1) for Burns (47), G McSorley for Smith (58), R Moore for Duffy (63), P Kirwan for Holdcroft (69).

Leitrim: C McCrann; M Murphy, R Gallagher, N Woods; S McWeeney, G Reynolds, S Quinn; D Sweeney, S Moran; D Beck (0-1), P McGowan, K Conlan (0-5, 3f); F Clancy (0-4), D Wrynn, A McLoughlin (0-1).

Subs: J McGrail for Moran (21), R Kennedy for McGowan (44), C Farrell for Beck (51), M Plunkett for Wrynn (58).

Ref: C Brannigan (Down).