Tyrone vs Louth LIVE score updates from All-Ireland U20 Football Championship Final
Defending champions Tyrone bid for a third All-Ireland U20 Football Championship title in four seasons when they face Louth in tonight’s decider in Armagh.
The last Tyrone team to win back-to-back titles at the grade was one of the greatest-ever U21 teams.
Captained by the late, great Cormac McAnallen and managed by Mickey Harte, the Tyrone side that defeated Cork in the final contained the likes of Stephen O’Neill, Brian McGuigan, Kevin ‘Hub Hughes, Enda McGinley, Owen Mulligan, Gavin Devlin, Conor Gormley and Philip Jordan.
Eoin McElhom is already making a name for himself at senior level and Paul Devlin will be hoping a few more can make the leap to Malachy O’Rourke’s squad in the next year or two.
Indeed, a win tonight would cap a remarkable seven days for the county after their seniors claimed the scalp of Ulster champions Donegal last Saturday before the minors won the Ulster title with a four-point victory over Cavan on Sunday.
Louth football, however, is also enjoying an upturn in fortunes. Offaly denied the county a famous Leinster treble by beating the minors in the provincial final, but the Wee County are U20 and Senior champions.
The U20s, managed by Armagh native Fergal Reel, edged out Mayo 2-12 to 0-17 in the All-Ireland semi-final in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.
Mayo’s Darragh Beirne looked to have brought the game to extra-time, but Adam Gillespie’s fisted point in the final minute of injury-time gave Louth a famous win.
Holders Tyrone, meanwhile, claimed a six-point win over Kerry in Portlaoise in what was a repeat of last season’s All-Ireland final at the same venue.
First half goals from McElholm and Noamh Grimes proved vital for Paul Devlin’s men with Ruairi McCullagh scoring 0-8 in another fine display from the Loughmacrory ace.
We’ll have all the latest team news and build-up ahead of throw-in at the Box-It Athletic Grounds at 7.30pm.
Paddy Tierney
Shea McDermott kicks a score on his introduction before Eoin McElholm scores another
Paddy Tierney
Matthew Quinn and Eoin McElholm link up to set up Ruairi McCullagh for a fisted pont
Paddy Tierney
Conor Mac Críosta is fouled and Tony McDonnell converts
Paddy Tierney
Noah Grimes moves to 2-6 with 55 minutes played
Paddy Tierney
James Maguire kicks a two-pointer and that cuts the gap to eight points
Paddy Tierney
Dylan Shevlin marks his introduction with a point from play, but Louth are going to need goals with 10 minutes remaining
KEY EVENT
Eoin McElholm is moving into contention for Man-of-the-Match along with Noah Grimes as he plunders his second goal!
Paddy Tierney
Caolan Donnelly moves Tyrone into an eight-point lead for the first time after 44 minutes
KEY EVENT
Eoin McElholm might have settled this contest with a 1-1 salvo in 90 seconds!
KEY EVENT
Louth have another goal chance, but Darragh Dorian hits the crossbar!
Paddy Tierney
Wow! Naoh Grimes is having the game of his life! He has scored a stunning point from an impossible angle. . .
KEY EVENT
Joey Clarke makes a goal-line clearance after Micheal Reid's shot drops short and is flicked towards goal by Shane Lennon!
Paddy Tierney
Darragh Dorian is fouled and Adam Gillespie converts and it is game on in Armagh!
Paddy Tierney
Tadhg McDonnell is fouled by Fiachra Nelis and advantage is played. McDonnell goes for the two-pointer with the outside of the boot and his kick his good!
Paddy Tierney
Louth land back-to-back points via Tony McDonnell and Shane Lennon to reduce the gap to five
Paddy Tierney
Noah Grimes can do no wrong this evening as he lands another point from play - that's 2-4 so far all from play!
KEY EVENT
Ruairi McCullagh's shot drops short and Tiarnan Markey pushes the ball straight to Conor O'Neill, but the Louth goalkeeper makes amends with a remarkable point-blank save!
Paddy Tierney
Eoin McElholm extends Tyrone's lead to six on the restart!
KEY EVENT
Louth will play with the wind advantage in the second half
KEY EVENT
A 2-3 haul from Noah Grimes has given Tyrone a five-point lead at half-time
KEY EVENT
Tiarnan Markey's restart goes straight to Eoin McElholm, who sets up Noah Grimes. The Donaghmore clubman looked to have spilled possession, but he dragged the ball around Markey and tugged the ball into the net for his second goal of the evening!
Paddy Tierney
Caolan Donnelly does well to set up Conor O'Neill for a well-taken point
Paddy Tierney
Ruairi McCullagh is fouled and the Loughmacrory ace converts himself to move Tyrone in front once more after 26 minutes
Paddy Tierney
Louth briefly take the lead as Sean Callaghan kicks the game's first two-pointer before Noah Grimes moves his tally to 1-3
Paddy Tierney
Tadhg McDonnell fists a point from a tight angle to bring Louth to within one
Paddy Tierney
Noah Grimes does well to win possession from a Caolan Donnelly pass and kick a great point
Paddy Tierney
Eoin McElholm has been well marked by Keelin Martin so far, but he gets a yard of space to take a pass from Matthew Quinn and kick his first point
Paddy Tierney
James Maguire lands his second point of the game to level the game after 17 minutes
KEY EVENT
Tyrone retake the lead with the opening goal as Matthew Quinn's first-time ball plays Noah Grimes in on goal and Tyrone attacker fires low into the near corner. Louth reply with a point via Darragh Dorian
KEY EVENT
Tony McDonnell is denied by a fine save from Tyrone goalkeeper Conan McGarvey!
