Louth's quest for promotion to Division 2 was dealt a major blow on Saturday night after another below par performance in Breffni Park, saw Cavan come out victors.

Though the rain stayed away, the slippery conditions underfoot contributed to an error strewn match as the home side eventually made use of their man extra advantage, after Declan Byrne's second half dismissal. Indeed the harsh decision to send the Mochtas man to the line for a second offense, early in the second half, left the majority of people in Breffni Park, bemused to say the least. Preparations for the contest were far from ideal for the Louth men as manager Peter Fitzpatrick faced an injury crisis with three of his regular forwards all unable to start, meaning that Ronan Carroll, Colm Judge and Paraic Smith came into the forward line.

The opening six scores of the contest were shared, as ill discipline in the Louth back line allowed Niall McDermott (2) and Eugene Keating to claim their opening scores of the contest, through placed balls. In the process of conceding the free kick that led to Keating's score, Byrne was harshly yellow carded by referee Gregory Walsh. Louth All-Star Paddy Keenan claimed two of his sides opening two scores, with inside forward Smith adding the other following a through ball from Judge. Another free kick from McDermott put his side back in front, and further scores from wing forward Gearid McKieran and a long range score from wing back, Mark McKeever meant that Louth would go into the half-time interval three points behind their counterparts. 

Half-time: Cavan 0-06 Louth 0-03

Following the disappointing display of the opening period, the Louth management team rung the changes with substitutes Eamonn McAuley and Mark Brennan entering the fray for Stephen Fitzpatrick and Derek Maguire respectively. However, any hope of a quick turnaround in fortunes for Louth were dashed by the dismissal of Byrne in the fifth minute of the second period. Having been altered to an off-the-ball incident by his umpire, Antrim official Walsh brandished a second yellow card to Byrne, meaning the Louth village man, quite harshly left the field of play. Buoyed by the man advantage Cavan gained a foothold in the contest. A free kick from full forward Cian Mackey was just reward for his endeavour as Louth were made to pay for three efforts on goal which dropped short. During this period the home side began to make the extra man tell and on two occasions, the impressive McKiernan found himself in space to push his side further into the lead. A surging run from McAuley, resulted in the Na Piarsaigh man claiming Louth's first score in 35 minutes and so began the Louth comeback. Moments later, a well worked move from substitute Adrian Reid in space and though his goal bound shot was parried by goalkeeper James Reilly, fellow Mattock Rangers man Brennan was on hand to slam the ball to the back of the net. With just two points between the sides, Cavan needed a response and wing forward Ronan Flanagan answered the call, coolly slotting the ball over Sean Connor's crossbar, having found space in the Louth defence. With time running out, Louth went in search of another three pointer and when the chance fell to Smith to get the sides level, unfortunately he sent his effort over Reilly's crossbar. With full time approaching substitute Sean Johnson settled the nerves of the home crowd as he chipped over the bar to ensure Cavan's three point advantage. Try as they might Louth could not find a second goal and alas fell to their third straight defeat and with that, their promotion chances were left hanging by a thread.

Full-time: Cavan 0-11 Louth 1-05

The decision by Walsh to issue a red card to Byrne had a major impact on the contest, though the number of turnovers lost and the amount of balls which dropped short will be more worrying for the Louth management. The injury sustained by star forward Shane Lennon, prior to the contest, meant that Louth would be bereft of their chief scorer and try as they might, their forwards were unable to replicate the scoring prowess of the Kilkerley Emmets man.

Best for Louth were Paddy Keenan, Brian Donnelly and Eamonn McAuley.

Scorers: Mark Brennan (1-0), Paddy Keenan and Paraic Smith (0-2 each) and Eamonn McAuley (0-1).

LOUTH: Sean Connor; Declan Byrne, Aaron Hoey, Gerard Hoey; Ray Finnegan, Dessie Finnegan, Stephen Fitzpatrick; Ronan Carroll, Brian Donnelly; Derek Crilly, Paddy Keenan 0-2, Andy McDonnell; Derek Maguire, Colm Judge, Paraic Smith 0-2.
Subs: Mark Brennan 1-0 for D Maguire (h/t), Eamonn McAuley 0-1 for S Fitzpatrick (h/t), Adrian Reid for A McDonnell (42), Jamie Carr for D Finnegan (48), JP Rooney for C Judge (53).
Subs not used: Neil Gallagher, Padraig Rath, Liam Shevlin, Ronan Greene, David Bracken, Darren Clarke.

CAVAN: James Reilly; Oisin Moynagh, Thomas Corr, Dane O'Dowd; Mark McKeever (0-01), Padraig O'Reilly, Damien O'Reilly; John McCutcheon, Niall Murray; Gearoid McKiernan, Ray Cullivan, Ronan Flanagan; Niall McDermott, Cian Mackey (0-01), Eugene Keating (0-01).
Subs: Stephen Jordan for Eugene Keating (), Sean Johnston for Gareth Smith for Stephen Jordan, Michael Brennan for Gearoid McKiernan.
Subs not used: Alan O'Mara, Keith Fannin, Brendan Fitzpatrick, James McEnroe, Dermot Sheridan, Barry Reilly.