Senior Championship Group 1: Naomh Mairtin showcase their championship credentials

ANCHOR TOURS SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP 

GROUP 1 ROUND 1 

NAOMH MAIRTIN 3-13 Dundalk Gaels 2-3

Fresh off their recent league final defeat at the hands of St Mochta’s, Naomh Mairtin came into Sunday afternoon’s championship opener in Clan na Gael Park keen to showcase their title credentials against a Dundalk Gaels team which was not expected to put up much of a fight.

But while they eventually coasted to a 13-point victory, Declan McCoy’s troops will still feel they have a lot more to bring to the table ahead of tougher challenges in the future.

While they got eight different players on the scoresheet and posted an impressive 3-9 of their final tally from open play, the consensus from most observers is that they can still reach another level, having finished the contest with nine wides alongside a couple efforts coming up short.

The Gaels threw everything they had at the two-time champions, even leading courtesy of an early Cian Walsh goal inside the opening minute. But while it took longer than anticipated for them to get going, the Jocks eventually turned this around at led by six at half time.

A black card for Stephen Campbell on 42 minutes may have opened the door to a comeback for the Dundalk men, but it ended up turning into a purple patch for Naomh Mairtin, who found their best form while playing with 14 men.

The Gaels failed to bag a single score from here, while in response their opponents notched another 1-5 to coast to a well-deserved win that sees them setting up a marquee round 2 meeting with St Mochta’s this Sunday. A tie which will decide who ends up topping Group 1.

It was the men from the Ramparts that got the game’s first score and inside the first minute, as they looked to get out of the traps fast. After winning the throw in, the ball eventually came into the hands of Paul McGrave who teed it up for Cian Walsh.
From close range he blasted the ball home past Craig Lynch to give his side the perfect start.

However this was little more than a false dawn, as they only scored four more times for the rest of this contest. Their next point not coming for another 16 minutes.

The Jocks piled on the pressure immediately after this setback, quickly creating four opportunities in as many minutes. Sam Mulroy played a deeper role, acting as more of a playmaker than a target man as he drifted back towards midfield for possession .

He was used to either hit the ball long or solo inward with the trio of Conor Whelan, Val Leddy and Stephen Campbell all viable targets. Their movement allowed Jocks to create chance after chance, as the Gaels struggled to get anywhere near the markers.

While those four earlier attempts were missed, the Jocks did eventually find their range and hit an unanswered 1-3, points from Leddy, Mulroy and Wayne Campbell followed up by a vital goal on 14 minutes that put them in the lead for the first time.

Wayne Campbell forced a turnover from a Gaels kickout before nice link up play from Mulroy and Stephen Campbell allowed Jack Murphy to be left one on one with goalkeeper Adrian Raferty. With ease he cushioned the ball home. Suddenly, a three-point deficit had turned into a three-point lead.

While a Tom O’Connell effort ended this run of Jocks scores, they soon increased their lead via another goal. Stephen Campbell this time the provider for Tom Gray.

While a brace from Dylan McKeown kept the scoreboard ticking over for the Dundalk side, even in the final 10 minutes of the half they were outscored 3-2, the Jocks efforts all coming from from the boot of the Louth captain Sam Mulroy.

At the break they led by six, 2-6 to 1-3, but in reality, they should’ve been further clear at this stage, having notched up eight wides and a couple short too.

Gaels fans finally had something to cheer about when thry bagged their second goal of this contest on 37 minutes. A free from O’Connell was dropped into the square and it was Jordan Keating that reacted fasted as he fisted it into the net.

Five minutes later Stephen Campbell was sent to the sinbin for a high challenge on Gary Shevlin, but instead of being the start of a memorable comeback, it instead saw Naomh Mairtin producing some of their best football.

Mulroy (2), Whelan and Gray all hit the target before the Jocks landed their third goal of this contest on 50 minutes. A Shane Morgan effort from close range was blocked, but the ball then fell into the path of Leddy who cushioned the ball home to rubber stamp their decisive victory.

Ardee St Mary's begin their Joe Ward Cup defence with comfortable victory

Louth LGFA Club Championship Results: 26-27th Aug 2023

Dundalk Gaels: Adrian Raferty; Eamon Kenny, Oisin Murray, Paul McCrave; David McComish, James O’Connell, Mark Hanna; David Maloney, Tom O’Connell; Jordan Keating (1-0), Liam O’Connor, Cian Walsh (1-0); Gary Shevlin, Dylan McKeown (0-2, 0-1 free), Mark McCabe. Subs: Jack Mullen for McComish (28), Sean McCann for Keating (43), Luke Murray for O’Connor (43), Sean Duffy for Hanna (55).

Referee: Cathal Sweeney (Stabannon Parnells)