Danny Watson was Dublin's hero at Parnell Park last night as his two goals gave Dublin a 2-6 to 8 points win over Louth in the O'Byrne Cup. In the pouring rain the St Anne's man turned the game in Dublin's favour following his introduction in the 54th minute with fellow subs Harry Dawson and Jonny Cooper also helping to drive the Dubs to the second win in Group D.
Louth led 0-3 to 0-1 at the break and stretched it by a point on the restart when Brian White converted a free. Following fine points from Shane Carthy and Paul Hudson (two) the sides were level with ten minutes remaining. The on the hour mark Watson showed a clinical edge in front of goal when picking his spot to the corner of the net and he followed that up with a superb point from 40 metres to move the Dubs four clear, 1-6 to 0-5.
But the Wee County battled back with points from Bevan Duffy, Declan Byrne and Stephen Campbell to move within a point but Watson's struck again with his second goal. Dublin face DCU this Sunday in Parnell Park in their final group game.
Dublin Scorers: D Watson 2-1, P Hudson 0-3 (0-1f), S Carthy, J Whelan 0-1 each.
Dubs team: S Currie; D Nelson, S George, M Fitzsimons; C Guckian, B Cullen, K Nolan; D O'Mahony, S Carthy; C Walsh, P McMahon, J Whelan; P Hudson, K McManamon, G Sweeney.
Subs: J Cooper for Nolan (ht), L Fletcher for Nelson (black card) (45), H Dawson for Walsh (48), N McGovern for Guckian (48), D Watson for Sweeney (54), C Mullins for Cullen (65).
