A penalty late in the first half proved decisive in Louth’s victory over Sligo in the opening round of the National Hurling League Division 3 B at Clan na Gael Park, Dundalk, on Sunday last.

Sligo gave as good as they got in the opening period and led 0-5 to 0-2 after 24 minutes. However, the game turned against them when Gerard Smyth send a penalty to the net after Diarmuid Murphy was taken down by Jamie Kenny.

Although the Yeats County continued to battle with great conviction, the home side went in at the interval with a one point advantage, 1-5 to 0-7, and struck for a crucial second goal within minutes of the restart.

Sligo, who had to field without their talisman, Keith Raymond, who was ruled out through injury, suffered another blow when corner-back, Kenny, was sent off in the second half. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Sligo remained in contention for long stages of the game and it was only in the latter stages that Louth struck for the insurance points which made the game safe.

Sligo beat Louth in the Rackard Cup final in 2008 and it was clear that the Leinister side were out to gain revenge on this occasion. They made a lively start and had early points on the board from Gerard Smyth, who was in fine form all afternoon, accounting for all but one of his side’s scores.

It took Sligo until the eleventh minute to get off the mark through Conor O’Mahoney, yet they gradually worked their way into contention and accounted for the next four points, two of them from midfielder Colin Herrity, to lead 0-5 to 0-2 after 24 minutes.

The ‘Wee County’ finally found the range again a couple of minutes later, and Smyth’s point, off a good break by Shane Fennell, was the start of a profitable spell. The Pearse Og man soon landed a free before Diarmuid Murphy was taken down by Jamie Kenny for a 31st minute penalty which Smyth converted, 1-4 to 0-5.

Damien Burke and Herrity, the latter with an excellent score, brought the sides together for the second time; but Louth had the final say through Murphy, who appeared to have been fouled as he turned and booted the ball over from close range to give Louth a 1-5 to 0-7 lead at half-time.

Sligo were still very much in contention at this stage but they suffered a cruel blow within minutes of the restart. Smyth didn’t get the strongest connection to a long distance free. Club colleague Shane Callan swung at the dropping ball to direct it beyond ‘keeper Mark Kearney to the net.

The visitors’ response was as quick as it was impressive, successful Herrity frees either side of a point from his midfield partner, Michael Gilmartin, 2-5 to 0-10, and just seven minutes gone.

Wesley Morrissey broke this spell of Sligo pressure with a point, and Louth’s lead was extended in superb fashion by Donagh O’Sullivan with a sideline cut from the left wing. In the 18th minute substitute Kevin McNally passed up a glorious goal opportunity when pulling wide with Kearney to beat.

Another Herrity free brought Sligo to within a brace (2-7 to 0-11), only for their challenge to take a significant hit with the dismissal of Kenny in the 55th minute for a second yellow card. Louth lorded it with the extra man, adding two quick points through Smyth and Morrissey, though their shooting let them down as they attempted to make the game safe.

Indeed, it wasn’t until injury time that the final two scores arrived through Smyth and Shane Callan.

LOUTH: Eddie McArdle; Mark Wallace, Johnny Carter, Adrian Wallace; Barry Murphy, Derek Horan, Eddie McCarthy; Ronan Byrne, Donagh O’Sullivan 0-1 (sideline cut); Gerard Smyth 1-6 (penalty, 3f), Gary Rellis, Shane Fennell; Diarmuid Murphy 0-1, Shane Callan 1-1, Wesley Morrissey 0-2. Subs., Kevin McNally for G Rellis (42), Aidan Callan for S Fennell (60), Gavin Kerrigan for D O’Sullivan (70).

SLIGO: Mark Kearney; John Kelly, Walter Gill, Jamie Kenny; Ronan Cox, Mark Burke, Liam Reidy; Colin Herrity 0-6 (4f), Michael Gilmartin 0-1; Vincent O’Hora, Damien Burke 0-2, Joe Bannerton; Mark Gordon, Conor O’Mahoney 0-1, Alan Cawley 0-1. Subs., Aidan Walsh for J Bannerton (66), Niall Cadden for M Burke (70), Patrick Quinn for C O’Mahoney (70+).

Sligo continue their league campaign with a home game against Fingal at Markievicz Park on Sund