Dundalk Gaels crowned Louth GAA Division Two League champions 

Dundalk Gaels sealed the Louth GAA John O’Neill Sand and Gravel Division Two League title in style on Wednesday night with a spirited four-point victory over St. Brides at Páirc an Chuinnigh, to cap off an unbeaten campaign.

This final league outing may have been a formality in terms of standings, but the Dundalk men showed no signs of taking their foot off the pedal.

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A blistering second-half performance overturned a three-point deficit at the break and showcased the quality that has underpinned their flawless 15-game run.

The opening exchanges were tightly contested, with both sides trading early scores. St. Brides edged ahead early on, capitalising on some sharp forward play, and led by three points at half time.

The Gaels kept in touch through frees from captain Dylan McKeown and a tidy effort from Shaun Duffy, but they struggled to find their rhythm as Brides dictated the tempo in the first period.

Half time: St. Brides 0-8 Dundalk Gaels 0-5

Whatever was said in the Gaels' dressing room at half time had an immediate impact. Just two minutes into the restart, Tomas Kavanagh rifled home a goal to level the tie, sparking a dominant spell that turned the game on its head.

Moments later, Jack Mullen fired over a two-point effort, and with McKeown, Chris Sweeney, and Kavanagh again adding to the tally, the visitors had racked up 1-6 without reply in under ten minutes.

James O’Connell’s goal on 40 minutes was the final nail in the Brides’ resistance. A surging run and calm finish pushed the Gaels seven points clear at 2-10 to 0-9, a margin that would prove insurmountable despite a late flurry of scores from the Knockbridge men.

Paul McCrave, Seán McCann, and Padraig Tinnelly all chipped in with important points to keep the scoreboard ticking over for the boys in Blue as St. Brides battled to close the gap.

As the final whistle sounded, the scoreboard read 2-13 to 0-15, a scoreline that not only reflected the Gaels’ clinical second-half display but also their resilience and unity throughout a near-perfect campaign.

Full time: St. Brides 0-15 Dundalk Gaels 2-13

Dundalk Gaels: Adrian Rafferty; Shaun Duffy (0-1), Tom Murphy, Paddy O’Connell; Kyle Rafferty, Oisin Murray, Paul McCrave (0-1); Dylan McKeown (c) (0-3, 2f), James O’Connell (1-0); Jack Mullen (0-2), Seán Lambert, Seán Murray (0-1): Chris Sweeney (0-1), Eanna McArdle, Tomas Kavanagh (1-2).

Subs: Padraig Tinnelly (0-1), Seán McCann (0-1).

Referee: Stephen Murphy (Naomh Mairtin).

(Louth GAA John O’Neill Sand and Gravel Division Two League table)