High drama in Louth as returning Durnin delivers

Tommy Durnin of Louth celebrates after kicking a late two-pointer against Kildare ©INPHO/James Lawlor

Tommy Durnin’s last-gasp two-pointer sensationally sent Westerns through to the semi-final stage of this year’s Louth JFC.

Wee County midfielder Durnin completed his long-awaited return to his home club at the start of the year, having spent four seasons in Monaghan with Inniskeen before representing neighbours St Marys in last year’s Louth SFC.

At Hunterstown on Saturday night, Westerns locked horns with O’Connells in what proved to be an unforgettable junior championship quarter-final. Despite Durnin demonstrating his quality from outside the arc in the early stages, the Reaghstown men trailed by seven points shortly after the restart and by 0-22 to 1-11 with eight minutes to go.

Goalscorer and Man of the Match Tom Maguire’s two-pointer and a Cathal Kennedy major helped Westerns battle back within the minimum and up stepped the returning midfield maestro Durnin with a late winner that surely ranks as one of the sweetest of his eventful career to date.