Louth SFC round-up | Round 2

Group 1

St. Patricks 1-5 Dreadnots 1-5

In a tense and low-scoring encounter at Páirc Clan na Gael, St. Patricks and Dreadnots played out a 1-5 to 1-5 draw in the second round of the Anchor Tours Louth Senior Football Championship.

The result leaves Dreadnots on the brink of qualification for the knockout stages, while St. Patricks will have everything to play for in their next match against the Brides.

The game started explosively with St. Patricks making an immediate impact. Within the first minute, Tadgh O'Connor found the back of the net with a well-taken goal, giving his team the perfect start.

The early strike stunned Dreadnots, who struggled to settle in the opening exchanges. St. Patrick's built on their lead shortly after with a point from a free by their goalkeeper, Martin McEneaney, pushing them 1-1 ahead by the fourth minute.

The early dominance by St. Patricks seemed to suggest they might take control of the game, but Dreadnots soon found their footing. 

The Dreadnots responded magnificently in the seventh minute, as Pauric Smith's strike tied the score.

Smith's strike was clinical, leaving McEneaney with no chance and giving Dreadnots the boost they needed. 

Smith continued to torment the St. Patrick's defence, adding a point three minutes later to draw the sides level at 1-1 apiece.

The game then settled into a more balanced contest. Tadgh O'Connor added another point for St. Patricks to put them back in front, but Dreadnots captain Conor Faulkner quickly responded with a point to level the match once more.

As the half progressed, both teams struggled to break down each other's defences, with Pauric Smith adding another point for Dreadnots to edge them ahead by a point.

As the first half drew to a close, St. Patrick's managed to draw level again with a free from Danny O'Connor in the 30th minute. 

However, Dreadnots immediately responded with a well-taken free by James Califf, giving them a slender one-point lead as the teams headed into the break.

The second half, in stark contrast to the first, was a low-scoring and cagey affair. Both teams found it difficult to create scoring opportunities, with defences on top.

It wasn't until the 50th minute that the first score of the half came, with Joe Connor pointing for St. Patricks to level the game at 1-4 each. 

A minute later, Danny O'Connor added another point, putting St. Patricks back in front. However, Dreadnots were not done yet.

In the 54th minute, substitute Craig Shevlin stepped up to score the equalizing point, their first and only score of the second half. 

Despite both teams pushing for a winner in the closing stages, neither side could find the breakthrough, and the game ended in a 1-5 to 1-5 draw.

The result sees Dreadnots qualify for the knockout stages, while St. Patricks, who showed promise in their first outing of the championship, will need to secure a win in their next match against the Brides to keep their hopes alive.

Both teams will take positives from the match, but it’s clear that the competition is heating up as the group stage draws to the closing stages.

St. Patricks: Martin McEneaney (0-1, 1f); Daniel Tumilty, Leonard Grey, Darren Connor; Conor Grogan, Rory Duffy, Alan O'Connor; Ciarán Murphy, Conor McGuinness; Joe Connor (0-1), Eoin O'Connor, Aidan McCann; Tadgh O'Connor (1-1), Danny O'Connor (0-2, 1f), Seán Fearon.

Subs: Tom McCann on for Ciarán Murphy (37'), Ross Murphy (45'), Conor McGuinness on for Seán Fearon (49'), Cillian White (52'), Darren O'Hanlon on for Alan O'Connor.

Dreadnots: Dylan Cassidy; Aaron Scullion, Padraig Rath, Alex Aspell; Conor Clarke, Dermot Campbell, Conor Faulkner (c) (0-1); Cian McEvoy, James Califf (0-1, 1f); Ciarán Finnegan, Pauric Smith (1-2), Darragh Shevlin; Gustas Knystautas, Dean Hyland, Anthony Williams.

Subs: Craig Shevlin in for Dean Hyland (45'), Peter Kirwan on for Conor Faulkner (46'), Nathan Sutherland (56').

Referee: Stephen Johnson (Glen Emmets).

Group 2

St. Mochtas 1-9 Naomh Máirtín 0-10

St. Mochtas snatched a dramatic late victory over Naomh Máirtín in Round 2 of the Anchor Tours Louth Senior Football Championship on Monday night at Páirc Parnell, Stabannon.

Steven Poacher's team won 1-9 to 0-10 thanks to a last-minute goal from Gerry Garland in injury time on a somewhat slippery surface under the floodlights.

The game started fast with St. Mochtas striking first inside the opening 20 seconds, as Shane Lennon registered the first score of the game before the Jocks responded quickly with a point from Thomas Sullivan.

St. Mochtas edged ahead by the seventh minute through a Declan Byrne free, before their momentum was interrupted when Danny Kindlon received a black card in the 17th minute, leaving them down a man for the next ten minutes.

Naomh Máirtín found their feet again through points from Eoghan Callaghan and Evan Whelan, levelling the match by the 25th minute.

However, a mark converted by Shane Lennon and a point from goalkeeper Craig Lennon saw the sides trade scores in a closely fought first half. 

Just before the break, Byrne added his third point of the game to give St. Mochtas a narrow one-point lead at halftime.

Lennon extended St. Mochtas' advantage to two points at the start of the second half. However, the Jocks responded quickly through a point from Declan McCoy.

Conor Whelan fired over a long-range effort, and although Evan Whelan thought he had netted a goal in the 38th minute, it was disallowed due to a throw ball.

Seán Healy’s impressive point in the 40th minute tied the game at 6 points apiece, setting up a tense final quarter.

As the game entered its final phase, Healy and Gray combined to push Naomh Máirtín into the lead, making it 0-10 to 0-8 with five minutes remaining.

St. Mochtas, however, refused to let the game slip away. Gerry Garland scored a point to reduce the deficit to a single point, keeping the contest alive heading into injury time.

Declan Byrne’s free rebounded off the post in the 63rd minute falling kindly to Garland, who calmly slotted the ball into the net from close range to give St. Mochtas a crucial 1-9 to 0-10 advantage.

The final whistle soon followed, confirming a two-point win for St. Mochtas. The victory leaves them in a strong position to top Group 2, while last year’s beaten finalists, Naomh Máirtín, will be left to rue missed opportunities, particularly their disallowed goal.

The Louth Village outfit will take confidence from this victory as they aim to challenge for senior honours once again.

St. Mochtas: Daire O'Se; Danny Kindlon, David Lennon, Ben Goss-Kieran; Oisin Callan, Andrew English (c), Conor Garland; Darren McMahon, Seán Flynn; Gerry Garland (1-1), Declan Byrne (0-2, 2 f), Philip Englishby; Craig Lennon, Ciarán Byrne, Shane Lennon (0-3, 1mark).

Subs: Jamie Farrell (HT), Andrew Lennon on for Conor Garland (48'), Cormac Smyth on for Seán Flynn (51').

Naomh Máirtín: Craig Lynch (0-1); Shane Morgan, Thomas Sullivan (0-1), Conor Healy; Evan Whelan (0-1), Seán Healy (0-1), Bryan McQuillan; Adam Booth, Wayne Campbell; Darragh Dorian, Eoghan Callaghan (0-1), Conor Morgan; Conor Whelan (0-1), Sam Mulroy (c), Tom Gray (0-3).

Subs: Val Leddy on for Shane Morgan (HT), Dara McDonnell on for Bryan McQuillan (37'), Conor Smyth on for Conor Morgan (42'), Stephen Campbell on for Darragh Dorian (50')

Referee: Colm McCullagh (Naomh Fionbarra).

Group 3

Ardee St. Mary's 0-13 Newtown Blues 2-13

In a highly anticipated clash at Páirc Uí Mhuirí, Dunleer, reigning champions Ardee St. Mary's suffered their first defeat of the Anchor Tours Louth Senior Football Championship, as Newtown Blues delivered a powerful performance to secure victory.

The result sends a clear statement of intent from the Blues, who are chasing their 24th county title and leaves the race for the Joe Ward Cup wide open.

Ardee St. Mary's, aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive championship, started brightly with early points from Conor Keenan and Tiernan Corrigan, giving them a two-point lead within the opening minutes.

But the Blues soon settled into a groove, as Conor Branigan and Andy McDonnell scored baskets to tie the game by the sixth minute. 

The opening exchanges were fast-paced and competitive, with both teams trading scores in a closely fought contest.

Ardee edged ahead again through a Carl Gillespie free, but Branigan, who was instrumental throughout the match, kept the Blues in touch with two quick points to give his side a narrow lead.

The lead changed hands multiple times as the half progressed, with Ardee's Ronan Carroll and goalkeeper Tieran Markey adding to their tally. However, it was the Blues who finished the first half stronger.

Just before the half, Ciarán Downey scored the game's first goal by taking advantage of a 50-50 ball and poking it past the Ardee custodian. The Blues led 0–8 to 1–8 at the half after the goal, which was the final play of the half.

The second half began with the Blues extending their advantage through Conor Moore, and Ardee's task became significantly harder when Donal McKenny was shown a red card for an off-the-ball incident with Andy McDonnell in the 36th minute.

Reduced to 14 men, Ardee struggled to contain the Blues' attack. Tom Jackson managed to pull a point back from a free for Ardee, but Downey and McDonnell continued to stretch the Blues' lead.

A pivotal moment came in the 46th minute when Branigan, having already scored five points, powered a shot into the net to put the Blues firmly in control at 2-11 to 0-10.

Despite a late flurry of points from Ardee, including efforts from substitute Ryan Rooney and a series of frees converted by Carl Gillespie, the damage had been done.

The Blues maintained their composure and added further points through Conor Mac Criosta and Jamie Kelly to seal a comprehensive six-point victory.

The final whistle confirmed a significant win for Newtown Blues, who, despite being underdogs, displayed the form and determination of potential champions. 

For Ardee St. Mary's, the defeat is a setback in their quest for a historic three-in-a-row, but the campaign is far from over.

The Blues will take great confidence from this performance as they aim to reclaim the Joe Ward Cup, while Ardee will need to regroup quickly ahead of the next round.

Ardee St. Mary's: Tiernan Markey (0-1, 1f); Karl Faulkner, Éimhín Keenan, Conor Keenan (0-1); Dáire McConnon (0-2), Tiernan Corrigan (0-1), Carl Gillespie (0-2, 2f); Robert Leavy (c), Seán Callaghan; TJ Doheny, Tom Jackson (0-2, 2f), Kian Moran; Rónán Carroll (0-1, 1mark), Donal McKenny, Andy Murphy (0-1).

Subs: Shane Matthews (HT), Pauric McKenny (HT), Ryan Rooney (0-1) on for TJ Doheny (38'), Conor Gillespie on for Kian Moran (55').

Newtown Blues: Ronan Browne; Iollan Farrell, Ciarán Cluskey-Kelly, Ian Connor; Colm Judge, John Connolly, Conor Mac Criosta (0-1); Andy McDonnell (0-2), Emmet Carolan; Alan Connor, Ciarán Downey (c) (1-3, 0-2f), Conor Branigan (1-5); Jamie Kelly (0-1, 1f), Brian Kermode, Conor Moore (0-1).

Subs: Ryan Kelly on for Brian Kermode (55'), Liam Branigan on for Conor Moore (62').

Referee: Gerard Corrigan (Mattock Rangers).

Group 4

St. Fechins 0-10 St. Joseph's 2-13

St. Joseph's secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Anchor Tours Louth Senior Football Championship with an emphatic victory over St. Fechins at The Grove, Castlebellingham, on Sunday afternoon.

The Darver/Dromiskin side, led by manager Tom Franklin, extended their unbeaten run in Group 4, dominating the contest from start to finish and showcasing their title credentials.

St. Fechins, playing their first game of the championship, started brightly with Paul Mathews opening the scoring in the first 20 seconds.

But a disciplined St. Joseph's side quickly curtailed their early impetus. Oisin McGuinness, who had been outstanding in the first round with a score of 2–5, answered right away for the Joes with an incredible long-range point, indicating his intentions for the afternoon.

St. Fechins managed to carve out a narrow lead in the opening exchanges, with points from Joe Corrigan, Niall Devlin, and Bevan Duffy putting them ahead 0-4 to 0-2 by the tenth minute.

However, St. Joseph's soon found their rhythm, with Conal Smyth and Conor Neary scoring in quick succession to level the match. 

As the first half progressed, St. Joseph's took control, driven by the accuracy of Alan Quigley and the influence of McGuinness.

Quigley, in particular, was a standout, converting a 45 and a free to push his side into a 0-7 to 0-5 lead.

The decisive moment of the half came when McGuinness was fouled in the box, and he coolly slotted the resulting penalty into the top left corner, giving St. Joseph's a commanding 1-8 to 0-5 lead.

A late point from Harry Haughney gave St. Fechins some hope as they trailed 1-8 to 0-6 at halftime, but it was clear they had a mountain to climb. 

St. Joseph's maintained their lead early in the second half, and two minutes into the half McGuinness added another point.

Alan Quigley then added a lovely point, and McGuinness followed up with a free to extend their lead to eight points by the 39th minute.

St. Fechins struggled to break down a well-organized Joe's defence, and despite a brief rally with points from Corrigan and Devlin, they were unable to close the gap significantly.

St. Joseph's sealed their victory when Conal McCaul finished off a well-worked move with a stunning goal, pushing the score to 2-12 to 0-8.

From there, the Joes coasted to victory, with McGuinness adding another free and James McGlew scoring a late point for St. Fechins to close the game at 2-13 to 0-10. 

The nine-point win was a comprehensive display by St. Joseph's, who were full value for their victory. 

They remain unbeaten in Group 4 and will be pleased with their performance, which solidifies their status as serious contenders in this year’s championship.

It was a difficult outing for Mattie Rice's St. Fechins, and they will need to get back together soon as they prepare for their next competition challenge.

St. Fechins: Niall McDonnell; Mark Holohan, Shane Reilly, Ciarán McGinty; Jamie McDonnell (c), Bevan Duffy (0-1), Danny Burnell; Paul Mathews (0-1), Harry Haughney (0-1); Joe Corrigan (0-4, 3f), Eoghan Duffy, Robbie Vallejo; Aaron McGlew, Niall Devlin (0-2), Ronan Holdcroft.

Subs: Seán Kerrisk (HT), James McGlew on for Aaron McGlew (39'), Brian Devlin (51').

St. Josephs: Adam Cassidy; Rian Devlin, Michael Staunton, Cormac McKeown; Killian McDonnell (0-1), David Kieran (c), Gabriel Bell; Conor Neary (0-1), Alan McKenna; Alan Quigley (0-4, 1f), Conal Smyth (0-1), Conal McCaul (1-0); Pearse Grimes-Murphy, Oisin McGuinness (1-6, 2f), Ben Collier.

Subs: Craig Doherty on for Ben Collier (47'), Killian Staunton on for Alan Quigley (50'), Dean Sheridan on for Killain McDonnell (51'), Cormac Marmion (58').

Referee: Paul Kneel (Kilkerley Emmets).

Anchor Tours Louth SFC Round 3 Fixtures

Sunday, 8th August

Group 1: St. Patrick's vs. St. Brides (Clan na Gael, 7 pm)

Group 2: St. Mochtas vs. Cooley Kickhams (Pairc Naomh Bríd, 4.30 pm)

Group 3: Newtown Blues vs. Geraldines (Pairc Ui Mhuire, 2 pm)

Monday, 9th August

Group 4: St. Fechins vs. Roche Emmets (Stabannon, 8pm)

Anchor Tours Louth Senior Football Championship Groups

Louth SFC Group 1

Louth SFC Group 2

Louth SFC Group 3

Louth SFC Group 4