Louth will not care that less than 800 people attended the All-Ireland B Football Final, nor will they dwell upon the fact that their victory should have been more emphatic, instead they are celebrating a first football title since their 1957 All-Ireland senior success. Despite initial profligacy in front of goal that extended to seven first half wides, the Louth forward line bustled with purpose and incisiveness superbly marshalled by Stephen Melia and offering the twin threats of Stefan White and Ollie McDonnell.
Melia prospered wherever he drifted even in his attempt to stymie, Clare's most influential player, big midfielder Peter Cosgrave. White amassed a total of 1-5, the byproduct of assured finishing and intelligent support play.
But it was McDonnell who drew the greatest response from the crowd: his tremendous pace and direct running yielding two fine points, the second of which was arguably the best score of the match as he raced 35 metres before finishing with his instep.
Indeed, but for a brief period after the interval, Louth won all the major battles and none was more important than centre half back Brian Philips' shackling of Clare dangerman Martin Daly, albeit not always legally. Daly managed three points from frees but his influence was peripheral.
Ger Keane tried to atone for limited effectiveness of his colleagues in the forward line but he too found dogged opponents in, first, Aaron Hoey, and then Declan O'Sullivan: the two Louth backs also found time to grab points.
Monaghan referee Pat McEnaney left both teams in no doubt as to how he would punish blatant fouls, booking Hoey for tripping Keane after just 22 seconds. Neither side settled initially, the ball a liability to those in possession.
Clare began and finished the half convincingly to trail by a single point, 0-5 to 0-4, and despite falling further behind to a White free seconds after the re-start, they wrested the initiative with three scores in succession, points from a Martin Daly free and Cosgrave and a goal from Aidan Daly.
It was an all Daly affair for the goal on 34 minutes with Martin lofting a free towards the Louth goal, and Aidan rising highest to fist the ball past a statuesque Niall O'Donnell. Louth buckled for five minutes before O'Sullivan's point, following a fine solo, galvanised his collegaues.
Clare would not score again for 20 minutes: in the interim Louth added a goal from White, and three points to effectively banish any lingering doubts as to where the trophy would reside for the coming 12 months.
The losers, like all teams condemned to defeat, charged forward in desperation, but there was not to be a second great escape this year: a brace of points all they could muster, their frustration tangible at the final whistle.
Manager John O'Keeffe admitted that slack marking had cost them dearly and that they needed to be more productive at the other end. Louth's success will foster dreams of future glory, but for now they are happy to concentrate on present pleasure.
Clare: J Hanrahan; P Gallagher, F Griffen, A Malone; B Keating (capt), B Rouine, C O'Loughlin; D O'Sullivan, P Cosgrave (0-2); G Keane (0-2, 2 frees), M Daly (0-3, 3 frees), D O'Driscoll; J Enright (0-1), A Daly (1-0), P McMahon. Subs: M Galvin for O'Sullivan 43 mins; G Quinlan for O'Loughlin 56 mins; P Foley for McMahon 58 mins.
Louth: N O'Donnell; A Carter, G O'Neill (capt), D Brennan; D O'Sullivan (0-1), B Philips, A Hoey (0-1); P Kelly, G Curran; O McDonnell (0-2), S Melia, C Kelly (0-1); S White (1-5, 3 frees), C O'Hanlon (0-1), A Doherty. Subs: M Harvey for Kelly 39 mins; R Rooney for A Carter 58 mins; N Flynn for D O'Sullivan 63 mins.
Referee: P McEnaney (Monaghan).
