Dublin emerged victorious in the Leinster Senior Football Championship final, claiming their 63rd title and their 14th consecutively, with a scoreline of 1-19 to Louth’s 2-12. However, the match proved more challenging than anticipated. Louth’s meticulously executed tactics saw them compete aggressively until fatigue set in during the ultimate quarter. This hard-fought victory offers plenty of reflection for Dessie Farrell’s squad as they move into the All-Ireland qualifying group series.
In the previous year’s final, Dublin dominated Louth, winning by a comfortable 21-point margin. This perhaps accounted for the surprisingly low turnout of 23,113 spectators, almost half the number from the year before. But spectators weren’t disappointed, as a highly competitive game ensued. Dublin began to gain momentum only after Con O’Callaghan’s 54-minute goal gave them some margin of comfort, ensuring the Delaney Cup would remain in their possession.
The victory came with a four-point margin, the narrowest since Dublin’s 2012 triumph over Meath, and the first in single digits since 2017.
Despite Louth taking a 0-7 to 0-6 lead at the half-time break, Dublin’s win was never seriously in jeopardy. Dublin found breaking through Louth’s solid defence taxing, but used the break to strategise. By comparison, Dublin had six misses in the first half to Louth’s single mistake. Only Brian Fenton consistently found the mark, notching up three points. Louth showed superior shooting proficiency, with Conor Grimes scoring four points and Sam Mulroy’s long-range free-taking being a highlight.
After an impromptu recess, Dublin, who required some sharp reprimands from referee Noel Mooney to vacate the changing room, demonstrated heightened fervour. Unlike the first half, wherein Louth held and won the ball for nearly two minutes before Dublin could touch it, Dublin instantly seized it at the beginning of the second half. They held onto the ball, waiting patiently until Mannion netted them the equalising point after 90 seconds.
Dublin had gained a two-point lead when Louth signalled their determination. In an audacious attempt to retain possession, Mulroy executed a remarkable combination of falling and diving, flicking the ball to Ciarán Keenan who expertly shot it into Dublin’s goal – a first for Stephen Cluxton in this year’s championship. This placed Louth up by one point.
O’Callaghan quickly levelled the scores with a swift left-footed kick, leading to a tense back-and-fourth until unexpectedly, the game shifted. No one could accuse Niall McDonell of hastiness with his kickouts, though consistently sturdy, a costly error at the 54th minute was severely punished. Under the pressure of Dublin supporters on Hill 16, his kick unfortunately lands straight to substitute Jack McCaffrey, who swiftly passed to O’Callaghan for a splendid goal. At last, Dublin had a clear lead.
Increasing their traces of dominance, Dublin expanded their lead to seven points as the game approached extra time, with Paddy Small joining Cormac Costello and O’Callaghan in scoring successions of points. Despite this, Louth’s determination should not be undermined, as even after Mick Fitzsimons was dispossessed, they were rewarded with a goal from Craig Lennon off a Mulroy assist. The lacklustre defence in front of him didn’t bode well with Cluxton.
Nonetheless, both teams advanced to the next level of the All-Ireland from the province.
Dublin manager Farrell expressed his belief in the strengthening power of challenging matches, especially when they are won. The team is eager for the qualifiers, anticipating an increase in competition. This ongoing journey is one where they are constantly striving for and achieving improvements in every step. Dublin is well-versed in this process and ready for the required gear shift, which is expected to happen soon.
The Dublin squad consisted of S Cluxton, S Bugler, M Fitzsimons, E Murchan, T Lahiff, J Small, C Murphy, B Fenton, J McCarthy, C Costello, C Kilkenny, N Scully, P Mannion, C O’Callaghan, and C Basquel. They were joined by substitutes J McCaffrey, P Small, B Howard, R McGarry, and K McGinnis.
On the other hand, the Louth team comprised of N McDonnell, D McKenny, D Corcoran, P Lynch, C McKeever, A Williams, C Lennon, T Durnin, B Duffy, N Sharkey, C Keenan, C Grimes, L Grey, S Mulroy, and C Downey. Their substitutes included D Campbell, C Early, C Byrne, R Burns, and L Jackson.
The match was officiated by Noel Mooney from Cavan.