St. Mary’s win third consecutive Louth SFC

Ardee St. Mary’s secured their third straight Louth Senior Football Championship in blustery and rain-soaked conditions at McGeough Park, Haggardstown on Sunday afternoon.

They saw off Naomh Máirtín by four points to add another Joe Ward Cup to their collection in a hard-fought and low-scoring game.

Both sides entered the clash as the two top teams in Louth football in a was a rematch of last year’s final. 

Reigning champions, Ardee, were favourites going in despite the absence of important player Carl Gillespie.

Naomh Máirtín would have been hoping to avenge last year’s loss and bring the cup back to Monasterboice. However, the blustery wind and driving rain made it a difficult afternoon for both teams.

Ardee had the advantage of playing with the wind at their backs in the first half but neither side managed to stamp their authority on the early exchanges.

Both teams struggled to find their rhythm and with the wind swirling unpredictably the opening 10 minutes were cagey with little to separate the sides.

The first big moment came in the 11th minute when Ardee struck for an unexpected goal. Kian Moran’s long ball on target caught the wind and deceived Naomh Máirtín goalkeeper Craig Lynch, dropping over his head and into the net.

The Jocks registered their first point in the 26th minute when Val Leddy converted a mark to make it 1-0 to 0-1. 

Despite their pressure, they couldn’t close the gap any further before the break and Ardee took a narrow two-point lead into half-time.

The second half continued in a similar vein with both teams battling against the elements as much as each other. 

Ardee’s Jonathan Commins opened the scoring after the break with a free to stretch their lead to 1-1 to 0-1 in the 35th minute.

Naomh Máirtín responded through their captain, Sam Mulroy, who knocked over two frees in quick succession to close the gap to just one point.

It was a nervous time for Ardee, as the momentum seemed to be shifting in Naomh Máirtín’s favour, but they held firm and added another point through a free from Commins in the 52nd minute.

Just as the Jocks were beginning to apply more pressure, Dáire McConnon landed a hammer blow with Ardee’s second goal in the 55th minute with a low left-footed strike to the net that put four points between the sides.

Naomh Máirtín did manage to get one more point through Val Leddy but it was too late as Ardee’s defence held strong and with the game slipping away from the Jocks, tempers flared late on.

Both teams were reduced to 14 men in the 64th minute after a clash saw Sam Mulroy receive a second yellow card, while Commins saw a straight red for Ardee.

Naomh Máirtín’s hopes took a further hit a minute later when John Clutterbuck was sent off, leaving them down to 13 men for the final moments of the game.

Despite the dramatic end to the contest, Ardee saw out the remaining minutes with relative ease to seal a historic victory.

The full-time whistle sparked celebrations among their supporters, as Cathal Murray’s side became the first Ardee team to win the Joe Ward Cup three times in a row.

It was another afternoon of disappointment for Naomh Máirtín as they came up short in their quest to topple Ardee once again. 

However, they can be proud of their efforts given the conditions and will no doubt be back challenging for the title next year.

St. Marys: Tiernan Markey; Tadgh McDonnell, Karl Faulkner, Éimhín Keenan; Jonathan Commins (0-2, 2f), Donal McKenny, Páraic McKenny; Rónán Carroll, R.J. Callaghan; Ciarán Keenan, Liam Jackson (c), Kian Moran (1-0); Shane Matthews, Dáire McConnon (1-0), Tom Jackson.

Subs: Seán Callaghan on for Rónán Callan (HT), Ryan Rooney on for Shane Matthews (47’), Robert Leavy on for R.J. Callaghan (58’).

Naomh Máirtín: Craig Lynch; Bryan McQuillan, Thomas Sullivan, Conor Healy; Evan Whelan, Seán Healy, Conor Morgan; Adam Booth, Stephen Campbell; Dara McDonnell, Eoghan Callaghan, Val Leddy (0-2, 1 mark); John Clutterbuck, Sam Mulroy (c) (0-2, 2f), Tom Gray.

Subs: Darragh Dorian on for Bryan McQuillan (37’), Conor Whelan on for Stephen Campbell (42’), Ben Callanan on for Conor Morgan (61’), Mick Fanning on for Evan Whelan (62’).

Referee: Cathal Sweeney (Stabannon Parnells).