Louth are facing a battle to avoid a second successive relegation after going down to Tipperary on a 4-16 to 3-11 scoreline in Drogheda yesterday.
The Premier County got off to a dream start with a George Hannigan goal after just 30 seconds. Conor Sweeney also hit the net on 17 minutes as his side led by 2-6 to 0-8 at half-time.
Substitute Derek Crilly’s goal 90 seconds after the restart briefly helped Louth into a one point lead on 41 minutes but the visitors responded with the next four points before the Wee County had Eoin O’Connor sent-off for a second yellow card on 51 minutes.
That largely killed off the home side’s challenge although Crilly did manage to complete his hat-trick to at least cut out further Tipperary goals from Liam Casey and Philip Austin.
Colin Kelly’s side have still to travel to face Armagh before hosting Limerick on Easter Sunday.
Louth scorers – D Crilly 3-1, D Byrne 0-3, R Burns 0-2 (0-2f), A Reid 0-2, B Duffy, E O’Connor, C Judge 0-1 each.
