St. Mary’s get Leinster campaign up and running with comfortable win

Ardee St. Mary’s began their Leinster Club Senior Football Championship journey dominantly on Sunday afternoon when they secured a nine-point victory over Longford champions Abbeylara at Páirc Mhuire.

The game started with Abbeylara showing early intent as they opened the scoring within the first minute when Jason Kelly slotted over the opening point and set the pace for a lively first half.

Abbeylara added a second point in the seventh minute when Ciarán Scanlon converted a free to extend their lead to two points over their Louth counterparts.

However, St. Marys remained composed and began to build patiently from the back as Shane Matthews got the hosts on the scoreboard in the 10th minute with a high looping point.

After narrowing Abbeylara’s lead with successive points the home side struck the first goal of the afternoon through Liam Jackson.

Jackson’s composed finish sent the ball low into the net to put the hosts in the lead for the first time at 1-4 to 0-3.

Jackson’s goal was a result of clever link-up play with county star Ciarán Keenan heavily involved in the buildup.

Abbeylara responded swiftly and just five minutes later Cathal Gilligan palmed a goal into the net after a contentious play in front of the Ardee goalmouth.

The Ardee players appeared to expect a free-out but the referee waved play on, and Gilligan’s goal brought Abbeylara back to within a point to shift the momentum once more.

Abbeylara continued their fight and just before halftime a speculative free kick from Ciaran Scanlon found its way past the Ardee defence after a mix-up to give Abbeylara a fortuitous second goal.

The halftime whistle blew with the teams level at 1-6 to 2-3 after an evenly contested and eventful first half.

As the second half began Abbeylara’s challenge began to unravel. Just two minutes after the restart, Cathal Gilligan received a black card, reducing the Longford side to 14 men temporarily.

Moments later, a more serious blow struck as Jason Kelly received a red card for an off-the-ball incident involving Ardee’s Donal McKenny. 

Abbeylara’s earlier intensity began to wane as they temporarily played with 13 men and Ardee took full advantage.

Ardee’s attack started to flow and their accuracy improved as Carl Gillespie converted a free in the 35th minute to push his team back in front. 

Liam Jackson and Kian Moran followed with further points to open up a four-point cushion as Ardee’s momentum continued to build.

Abbeylara fought to stay in touch with Robbie Smyth scoring a free in the 45th minute but the Ardee onslaught was well underway.

Tom Jackson delivered the decisive blow in the 49th minute as he scored Ardee’s second goal of the day with a low, right-footed shot that flew past Abbeylara’s keeper.

St. Mary’s had a comfortable seven-point lead and the Louth champions continued to press their advantage.

They added a third goal in the 54th minute as Karl Faulkner latched onto a highball and taped it past Abbeylara’s substitute keeper Frank Sheehy.

Abbeylara continued to push forward, but their efforts were limited to a handful of points from Reece Reilly, Robert Smyth, and Connor Berry as they tried to chip away at Ardee’s commanding lead.

However, late points from Rónán Carroll and Tom Jackson sealed an emphatic win for St. Mary’s. Looking ahead, Ardee St. Mary’s will face Rathvilly of Carlow in the Leinster quarter-final, once again on home soil at Páirc Mhuire on Sunday.

Ardee St Mary's: Tiernan Markey; Tadgh McDonnell (0-1), Karl Faulkner (1-0), Éimhín Keenan; Jonathan Commins, Donal McKenny (0-1), Carl Gillespie (0-3, 3f); RJ Callaghan, Páiric McKenny; Ciarán Keenan, Liam Jackson (1-1), Kian Moran (0-4), Shane Matthews (0-1), Ryan Rooney, Tom Jackson (1-1).

Subs: Rónán Carroll (0-2) on for Ryan Rooney (39’), Seán Callaghan on for Shane Matthews (45’), Conor Gillespie on for Jonathan Commins (51’), Tiernan Corrigan on for Éimhín Keenan (54’), Evan Malone on for Kian Moran (55’).

Abbeylara: Gavin Kelly; Michael McHugh, PJ Masterson, Shane Mahon; Cian Brady, Bryan Masterson, Colm P. Smyth; Fergal Battrim, Ciarán Scanlon (1-1, 1f); Padraig Berry, Jason Kelly (0-1), Caolan Lynch; Robert Smyth (0-4, 3f), Cathal Gilligan (1-0), Colin Gilna.

Subs:  Reece Reilly (0-1) on for Colin Gilna (41’), Nigel Rabbitt on for Padraig Berry (48’),  Connor Berry (0-1’) on for Cathal Gilligan (51’), Frank Sheehy on for Gavin Kelly (52’), Mel Brady on for Shane Mahon (58’).

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Co Kildare).