Louth dig deep to shade Meath and end 68-year wait for Leinster glory

Louth are Leinster senior football champions for the first time since 1957 after defeating Meath by 3-14 to 1-18 at Croke Park.

Before a massive 65,785 turnout at headquarters, Ger Brennan’s men overcame a 61st minute Matthew Costello goal with a two-point free from captain Sam Mulroy and a late score from the excellent Craig Lennon to end their county’s long wait for provincial glory.

The opening 17 minutes had saw Meath build up a 0-5 to 0-2 lead that was wiped out by a Mulroy penalty three minutes later, with Kieran McArdle having been fouled in the square and referee Martin McNally waving horizontal arms as a result.

The Royals nudged in front but Mulroy (free) tied things up again ahead of Ryan Burns sending in a brilliantly taken goal for the Wee County.

Ryan Burns with Goal No. 2⃣ for @louthgaa against rivals @MeathGAA in the @gaaleinster final 🏆 #MEAvLOU pic.twitter.com/84okxADQo5

— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 11, 2025

After that, Robbie Brennan’s side came into their purple patch that saw points from skipper Eoghan Frayne (free), Ruairi Kinsella and James Conlon levelling matters by the half-hour mark prior to further scores by Sean Coffey, Kinsella and Frayne.

Half of those six unaswered points would be erased by a fantastic Lennon goal on the eve of half-time, as Meath took in a 0-13 to 3-3 advantage at the break.

Costello doubled the lead for the Royals four minutes into the restart and a Billy Hogan two-pointer would be backed by Donal Keogan’s point to have the scoreboard reading 0-17 to 3-5 come the 45th minute.

Matthew Costello with Championship Goal No.6⃣ for @MeathGAA against @louthgaa in the @gaaleinster Football Final 🏆 #MEAvLOU pic.twitter.com/aBjieU7VHu

— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 11, 2025

A late addition to Meath’s bench, the returning Jordan Morris grabbed his side’s 18th point of the day much to the delight of the Royals fans. However, Louth weren’t going away as Conor Grimes and Mulroy (2) brought them level again ahead of Ciaran Downey firing them in front off the back of brilliant work by Conall McKeever.

That lead would be doubled by Mulroy, but Meath turned the tables and got in for their goal at the other with a composed finish by Costello which looked to have them on their way to the Delaney Cup.

However, Louth were able to come up with goods late on to make history, with Mulroy sailing over a two-point free from the ground and Lennon hitting the last point which proved the insurance on an unforgettable occasion for the Wee County.

For the first time since 1⃣9⃣5⃣7⃣ the wee county are @gaaleinster Champions 🏆@MeathGAA 1-18@louthgaa 3-13

Watch the highlights here 🎥 #MEAvLOU pic.twitter.com/NZPapEnYgC

— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 11, 2025