Louth are through to the preliminary quarter-final stage of the All-Ireland senior football championship after a gruelling three point win over Clare in Portlaoise.
The Wee county looked set to blow their opponents away in the first-half. Ryan Burns' goal gave Ger Brennan's men the lead and the Leinster champions were in a commanding position at the break courtesy of a fabulous Ciaran Downey display, with the Newtown Blues man notching 1-5 in a blistering display.
An eight-point lead for Louth at the break was swiftly cut to five after a Rory McMahon goal. Louth looked set to see things out comfortably having seemingly ridden the storm, but the Banner piled on the pressure in the closing stages to turn things once again into a tense affair.
Aaron Griffin's goal set the nerves jangling for Louth supporters, but Conor Brannigan's late point was enough to give the men in red some breathing room again and they clung on to book their place in the knockout stages.
Key Events
FT: Louth 2-17 Clare 2-14
Louth eek out the win. The Leinster champions are through to the preliminary quarter-final.
Louth 2-17 Clare 2-13
Brannigan again for Louth, that's two today for the Newtown Blues man off the bench.
Louth 2-16 Clare 2-12
Moments remaining, Clare have a 45 to try and narrow the gap. Five minutes or so remaining after a delay in play due to an injury to Niall McDonnell. Tiernan Markey on now in goals.
Louth 2-16 Clare 2-12
Downey earns a free and it will be taken by Sam Mulroy. The Naomh Martin man skews his two-pointer wide.
Louth 2-16 Clare 2-12
Eoin Cleary with the point and Louth are wobbling now big time. Eight and a half minutes remaining in Portlaoise.
Goal! Louth 2-16 Clare 2-11
Aaron Griffin finds a goal for Clare. just when you thought it was over. Howver, there is a suspicion of a square ball, the referee has a decision to make and..... the goal is given!
Louth 2-16 Clare 1-11
McInerney's free-kick is cancelled out by Conor Brannigan's effort from play.
'63
Louth 2-15 Clare 1-10
A two-pointer from Mulroy stretches the lead to eight and surely that is enough.
Louth 2-12 Clare 1-9
Six points separates the teams now. Stephen Ryan and Aaron Griffin with scores for Clare.
Louth 2-10 Clare 1-7
Ryan Walsh points for Louth. The St Fechins man came on for Craig Lennon in that first-half.
'44
Louth 2-8 Clare 1-6
Still just the sole score of the half coming in the way of a Clare goal at this stage.
'38
HT: Louth 2-8 Clare 0-6
Downey ends the half with another score, great display from the Newtown Blues man.
Louth 2-7 Clare 0-5
McInerney's free-kick stops the rot. Emmet Carolan has been booked for Louth, while Craig Lennon has been replaced by Ryan Walsh.
'35
Louth 2-6 Clare 0-4
Downey on fire this afternoon, he kicks a two-pointer to stretch the lead to eight.
'26
Goal! Louth 2-4 Clare 0-4
A second goal for Louth. Ciaran Downey this time finding the back of the net. The Wee County have found their finishing touch in front of goal again.
'25
Goal! Louth 1-4 Clare 0-4
Ryan Burns raises a green flag for Louth, the Hunterstown man is having an unbelievable season.
'19
Louth 0-4 Clare 0-4
McInerney responds for Clare after a Sam Mulroy free-kick. Manus Doherty has been shown a black card for Clare.
'18
Clare's Eoin Cleary making his 97th competitive appearance for the Banner today
