Inside Track: Blues oust the favourites – Pat’s come late to snatch a draw

To begin with, in this partial review of the weekend’s Louth senior championship quarter-finals, a trip back to 1968.

That year, Newtown Blues, in their pomp at the time, were chasing a third successive title when they played St Mary’s in a semi-final at Dunleer.

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The Drogheda side had won six of the previous finals, including a four-in-a-row, and this was seen as a game they would win. It didn’t happen.

Mary’s caused an upset before going on to beat St Fechin’s in the final with the by-then veteran Kevin Beahan in their side. Blues got back on the bike, however, winning the next two titles. That gave them eight out of a possible 10.

Roles were reversed going into Sunday’s meeting of the side at Drogheda. Mary’s, on to a fourth successive Joe Ward win, were the clear favourites, and though missing star defender, the injured Donal McKenny, had recent signing, inter-county star Tommy Durnin, in for his first full match.

It looked good for Mary’s at times, but they were never able to put a distance between themselves and the challengers.

When it came to the final furlong, they floundered, ending up losing by six points. As is always said, Blues can never be ruled out when it comes to the championship.

On Saturday night, Dreanots booked their place in the semi-finals with a clear-cut win over Cooley Kickhams, while on Sunday night, St Patrick’s put in a storming finish to snatch a draw with Naomh Mairtín’s.

There’s been a dramatic ending to all of Pat’s matches in the competition so far, and Martin McEneaney has been central to them all.

The big No. 1 with the booming kick was in the picture again, landing a two-pointer from a free with only minutes remaining.

But that only brought Pat’s to win two points. Another score to match McEneaney’s was required to keep the Lordship side’s hopes alive.

Enter Danny O’Connor. Finding himself outside the arc, the long-serving forward took his chance and collected. The final whistle went seconds later.

Mairtín’s or Pat’s, Dreadnots and Blues will be joined in the semi-finals by the winners of last night’s Dundalk Gaels/St Fechin’s tie.