Louth GAA club | Burns and Finn help Hunterstown to win

The 2026 Louth GAA club season got underway in Hunterstown on Saturday afternoon, where the hosts got the better of neighbours Mattock Rangers in the Paddy Sheelan Cup.

Dean Burns was the star of the show for the winners as he bagged 2-3 to help his side claim the local bragging rights with a five-point win.

READ NEXT: WDL | Dundalk FC knock Sligo Rovers for six in new FAI Women's Development League

Three goals in the opening half helped Rovers take a grip on the game as David Finn’s double, along with another two-pointer from Burns, saw their side lead by 3-5 to 0-9 at the break.

The second half was closely contested with Mattock keeping in touch with a goal from Jack Thompson, while Cathal Fleming and Ben McKenna brought their tallies for the day to four and three, respectively.

However, Hunterstown were not to be denied, and Burns added his second goal of the game to ensure his team got off to a winning start.

Hunterstown Rovers: Donovan Sheridan; Adam O’Reilly, James Russell, Daithi Carroll; Cillian Taaffe, Patrick Taaffe, Colm Murphy; Marc Ward, Shane Halpenny 0-1; David Finn 2-1,  Jamie O’Callaghan 0-2, Glen Matthews; Oran Martin 0-1, James Rogers 0-1, Dean Burns 2-3.

Subs: Aaron Levins, Tony McKenna, Cian Mathews, Jonah Skelly, Sam Scott,  Joe Rogers.

Mattock Rangers: Stephen Smith; Eoin McCloskey, Cillian Hickey, Callum Wogan; James Caraher, Adrian Reid, Ben Quaile; Jamie O’Halloran, Ben McKenna 0-3; Rob Holmes, Cathal Fleming 0-4, Jack Thompson 1-2; Karl Grimes 0-2, Liam Flynn 0-2, Jamie Deagan.

Subs: Ben Watters 0-1, Caolan Nulty.