Cork Push Clear of Meath at Top of Division 2 as Louth Record First Win Over Tyrone in 32 Years

February 22, 2026

Louth inflicted a significant blow to Tyrone’s Allianz Football League Division 2 promotion aspirations with a 1-15 to 0-13 victory in Ardee. The win marks Louth’s first over the Red Hands since 1994.

Louth Stuns Tyrone

Ciaran Downey’s early goal, scored in the fourth minute, set the tone for Louth’s dominant performance. The Leinster champions capitalized on home advantage and a strong start, leading throughout the contest. Conor Grimes, Sam Mulroy, and Dara McDonnell added crucial scores, establishing a 1-8 to 0-8 lead at halftime.

Despite a determined effort from Tyrone, particularly from Darragh Canavan, who is preparing to travel to Australia, Louth maintained control. Late scores from Mulroy and Craig Lennon sealed the historic win.

Cork Extend Division 2 Lead

In Páirc Uí Rinn, Cork defeated Meath 1-23 to 1-21, extending their lead at the top of the Division 2 table.

Cavan Secure First Win

Cavan also secured their first win of the campaign, overcoming Kildare 0-16 to 0-13 at Kingspan Breffni. A tight first half saw the sides level at 0-5 apiece, but a strong second-half performance, led by Dermot McCabe, propelled Cavan to victory.

“I’m bitterly disappointed,” said Tyrone manager Malachy O’Rourke. “I thought we had ourselves in a good position at half-time but Louth were very resilient in the second half, were able to receive scores at crucial times and we didn’t make enough leverage of the possession. I’m just really disappointed.”

Malachy O’Rourke, Tyrone Manager (via irishnews.com)

The results leave Cork two points clear at the top of the table, while Louth’s victory significantly boosts their promotion chances.

FAQ

• What was the final score of the Louth vs. Tyrone match? Louth 1-15, Tyrone 0-13.
• Who scored the goal for Louth? Ciaran Downey.
• What is Tyrone manager Malachy O’Rourke’s assessment of the game? He expressed disappointment with his team’s performance, stating they didn’t make enough use of their possession.

Pro Tip: Home advantage proved crucial for Louth, allowing them to dictate the pace and exploit the conditions.

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