Wolfe Tones sing in the rain as they end wait for Christy Bellew Cup

Wolfe Tones wrote their names in Louth football history on Sunday afternoon when they secured a memorable and long-awaited victory to claim the DKIT Sport Louth Junior Football Championship title after a win over John Mitchels at Páirc Uí Mhuire.

The triumph brought a title to Drogheda for the first time since 1937 as the Tones captured their first Christy Bellew Cup in a game that was defined by grit and determination.

Despite a damp, windy day in Dunleer, spirits were high as Wolfe Tones faced off against a seasoned John Mitchels side hungry for their third-ever Junior Championship title.

A victory would have marked their first title since 1998 for the Mitchels but Wolfe Tones brought their own motivation and showed remarkable poise under pressure.

The game started on a cautious note with nerves affecting both teams. The rain-soaked pitch and blustery conditions made footing tricky and players from both sides found it challenging to find their rhythm early on.

John Mitchels played with the wind at their backs and initially held a slight advantage in possession although their defensive approach suggested they were also wary of the Wolfe Tones’ attacking threat.

The first big chance fell to the Tones in the fourth minute when Eoghan Brennan’s low-driven effort seemed destined for the net only for Mitchels goalkeeper Micky Quinn to pull off a fantastic low save.

This opportunity seemed to spark the Tones who began to settle into the game and maintain possession although the conditions continued to hamper clean play. 

In the 13th minute, the John Mitchels struck first against the run of play and John Gallagher aimed for a point from distance but found his shot caught by the wind to send the ball into the net past Wolfe Tones goalkeeper Johnny Lynch.

The score was unexpected and a piece of good fortune that gave Mitchels a 1-0 to 0-0 lead and shifted the momentum in their favour. However, Wolfe Tones quickly responded with patience and skill when Garrett Cooney opened their account with a lovely left-footed point in the 17th minute.

Just a minute later the Tones took the lead when Sam Kelly finished a superb team move with a well-placed shot into the top left corner to put the Wolfe Tones ahead 1-1 to 1-0. 

Mitchels countered with a fine point from Gallagher to level the score at 1-1 apiece, but Tones had already found their stride. Sam Kelly added another point in the 22nd minute, followed by a booming effort from Brennan just before halftime, giving Wolfe Tones a 1-3 to 1-1 lead.

Brennan scored a free to put Wolfe Tones up 1-4 to 1-1 as the first half came to a close. The Tones were the happier side heading into the break with a three-point cushion.

Wolfe Tones took control in the second half with renewed energy and built on their three-point lead. Liam Gaffney struck a well-taken point in the 31st minute to add to Wolfe Tones’ advantage.

Though Trevor Matthews responded with a point for Mitchels to narrow the gap from 1-5 to 1-2 as the Tones’ resilience became increasingly evident. Garrett Cooney quickly answered with another point which was followed by a pair of accurate frees from Eoghan Brennan in the 42nd minute.

Brennan’s scoring prowess was on full display as he calmly added a long-distance point to stretch Wolfe Tones’ lead to 1-8 to 1-2. By this point, the Tones were firmly in command, outpacing Mitchels on nearly every front.

Wolfe Tones scored a second goal in the 53rd minute that effectively sealed their victory. A long-range effort seemed to surprise Mitchels’ defenders and keeper, bouncing off the post and into the net to give Wolfe Tones a 2-8 to 1-2 lead.

The Tones continued to press forward with the clock ticking down and Brennan added yet another point from a free in the 56thminute to extend the score.

John Mitchels showed flashes of resilience despite trailing by a considerable margin, John Gallagher provided a moment of consolation for the Mitchels faithful and scored a goal in the 60th minute to bring the score to 2-9 to 2-2.

Yet, it was too little, too late and the Wolfe Tones responded calmly to add one final free from Brennan in injury time to cap off an outstanding performance and securing a final score of 2-10 to 2-2.

Wolfe Tones’ players and supporters erupted in celebration as the final whistle sounded. This victory marked a historic achievement, breaking an 80-plus-year championship drought and earning the club a well-deserved place in Louth football's history books.

With standout performances from players like Brennan, Cooney, and Kelly, Wolfe Tones showed both skill and resilience, handling the pressure and difficult conditions with composure.

It was a disappointing end to the championship campaign for John Mitchels. The club, which last won the title in 1998, will have to wait another year to pursue the elusive Christy Bellew Cup.

But Sunday belonged to Wolfe Tones as they lifted the Christy Bellew Cup and brought it home to Platin Road in a testament to their hard work.

Wolfe Tones: Johnny Lynch; Darren Weldon, Reece Owens, Rhys McGovern; Taidgh Rock, Alan Fanning, Seán McQuail; Mark Healy, David Bolger; Garrett Cooney (0-2, 1mark), Eoghan Brennan (0-5, 3f), Liam Gaffney (0-1); Sam Kelly (1-1), Chris Crudden, Dwayne Leavy.

Subs: Paddy Fanning on for Garrett Cooney (51’).

John Mitchels: Micky Quinn; James Sands, Mitchell Keenan, Barry Kirk; John Bingham Mikey Nulty, Aaron Kane; Aaron Keely, Andrew Bingham; Jamie Durnin, John Gallagher (2-1), Tristan Knowles; Anthony Coyle, Trevor Matthews (0-1), Jake Gillespie.

Subs: James Clarke on for Aaron Keely (37’), Alan Mackin on for Anthony Coyle (43’), Stephen Campbell on for Jamie Durnin (51’).

Referee: Gerard Corrigan (Mattock Rangers).