London claimed the silverware in the Nicky Rackard Final after a strong second half performance secured a deserved win over a gallant Louth side. Corkman Martin Finn was tormentor in chief and his final tally of 2-08 was the main difference between the two sides. Louth's own Diarmuid Murphy was just as accurate with the placed ball finishing with a total of 8 pointed frees. Manger Paddy Kelly demanded a much improved performance from the men in the red jersey and his troops' first half display did not disappoint. Their hassling and harrying of the opposition all over the field was a joy to behold though heading into the half time interval six points behind was somwhat harsh. Finn indeed was the main source of concern for the Louth team and his goal on the stroke of half time was a crucial score in the contest. The Corkman grabbed his sides first four scores of the contest while Murphy and Diarmuid O'Sullivan opened their accounts in reply, to leave Louth trailing 0-04 to 0-02 by the fifteenth minute. Louth grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and buoyed by their hardworking ethos they went in from in the 22nd minute after Murphy scored four points from placed balls. However, just two minutes later Finn benefited from a good inception from teammate Richard O'Connell and following a goal mouth scramble he prodded the ball to the back of the net. Derk Horan capped a fine display from his wing back role with a beautiful score from 65m in reply for Louth but Finn's second goal in the thirty fifth minute took the wind out of the Louth sails. A series of accurate passes found corner forward, Patrick Sloane and his fine pass created a second goal opportunity for Finn, and the St Gabriels man mad no mistake in shooting past the hapless Eddie McArdle. A further pointed free from Finn in the second minute of first half injury time secured a two goal lead for the Londoners at the break.
Half-time: Louth 0-07 London 2-07

The introduction of substitute Kevin Canty just before the half time break was a significant factor in the contest and the Corkman was on song in the early stages of the second half. Though Murphy added two points from placed balls in reply, the energy and exuberance expended in the first half began to take its toll as the London outfit gained control of the contest. Wing back Michael Walsh was impressive throughout and his display was rewarded with a well taken score in the fifteenth minute of the second half. Finn and Canty kept the scoreboard ticking over for the Londoners as extended their lead over the Wee County to 2-15 to 0-09 by the hour mark. Centre forward Shane Ryan got his name on the scoresheet with a fine individual score before Canty and Finn again put daylight between the sides. Substitute Shane Fennell tapped over a score for Louth in reply while Murphy claimed his eight pointed free of the contest but it was too little too late on the Louth men as London finished the stronger with Canty, Walsh and Jimmy Mulcahy adding late points for the victorious Londoners.
Full time: Louth 0-11 London 2-20

Credit to Louth and their management team who never gave in to their superior counterparts to the final whistle. Their hassling and harrying was particularly evident in the first half and a joy to behold for the Louth faithful but the strength of the London outfit told in the end and they were worthy winners. Best for Louth were the Wallace Brothers (Mark and Adrian), while their half back line of Derek Horan, Ronan Byrne and Donagh O'Sullivan performed very well throughout. Up front Diarmuid Murphy was supremely accurate from the placed ball while Darren O'Hanrahan battled hard following his introduction from the bench.

Louth Scorers: Diarmuid Murphy 0-08 (8 frees), D Horan, D O'Sullivan, S Fennell (0-01 each).

London Scorers: Martin Finn 2-08 (0-06 frees, 0-01 '65), Kevin Canty 0-05, Shane Ryan, Michael Walsh (0-02 each), Niall Forde, Richard O'Connell, Jimmy Mulcahy (0-01 each).

LOUTH: Eddie McArdle, Mark Wallace, Conor Kerrigan, Adrian Wallace, Derek Horan, Ronan Byrne, Donagh O'Sullivan, Gerard Smyth, David Dunne, David Kettle, Shane Callan, Diarmuid Murphy, Brian Corcoran, Peter Brennan, Diarmuid O'Sullivan.
Subs: Wesley Morrissey for Peter Brennan (43), Darren O'Hanrahan for Gerard Smyth (54), Shane Fennell for David Kettle (54), Kevin McNally for Diarmuid O'Sullivan (58), Brian Hassett for Brian Corcoran (64).

LONDON: Aidan Ryan, Tony Hogan, Brian Costello, Colm Burke, Michael Walsh, Colm Forde, Gary Hill, Enda Cooney, Kevin Bolger, Richard O'Connell, Shane Ryan, Niall Forde, Patrick Sloane, Martin Finn, Henry Vaughan.
Subs: Kevin Canty for Enda Cooney (30), Jonathan Maher for Henry Vaughan (35), David Maher for Gary Hill (49), Jimmy Mulcahy for Kevin Bolger (52), Kevin Walsh for Patrick Sloane (62)

Referee: M Haverty (Galway).