Louth GAA club | Paddy Sheelan Cup round-up

GROUP A

O’RAGHALLAIGH’S 4-10 MATTOCK RANGERS 2-8

This clash at the Gaelic Grounds on a scorching spring day went the way of the hosts O’Raghallaigh’s with some tremendous shooting over Mattock Rangers.

The win for the Drogheda men sets up a nice do-or-die with Dundalk's Sean O’Mahony’s on Tuesday night for a place in the quarter-final.

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The scoreline didn’t really reflect the game as holders Mattock were two points up with 15 minutes to go.

Calum Wogan hit the net in the first half for Rangers and Cathal Fleming slotted home a second half penalty. However, such was the form of O’Raghallaigh’s forwards they finished strong.

The game ironically swung when Keith Horgan’s men had a player sent off, and then responded from that with three two-pointers in a row and a Kyle McElroy goal.

So nine points from four kicks of the ball. The new rules favoured the brave and the hoops are in a position now for the knockout stages as a result.

O’RAGHALLAIGH’S: Ben Rogan 2-1, Kyle McElroy 1-4, Barry Finnegan 1-0, Daniel Reilly 0-2, Ruairi Moore 0-2, James Morgan 0-1.

MATTOCK RANGERS: Stephen Smith; Cillian Hickey, Shane Maguire, Tom Grimes; Alan Caraher 0-1, Daire Englishby, Ben Quaile; Jason Condon, Jamie O’Halloran; Terry Donegan 0-1, Cathal Fleming 1-6, Adam Flynn; Callum Wogan 1-0, Robert Holmes, Eoin McCloskey.

Subs: Rian McBride, Ben Brennan, Aaron Smith.

GROUP B

ST FECHINS 0-16 HUNTERSTOWN ROVERS 0-5

It was one-way traffic in Beaulieu as St. Fechins defeated Hunterstown Rovers on Friday night, and ultimately, the margin of victory could be significant.

The coming Tuesday night game between Rovers and Roche Emmets could see Emmets join Pats and Fechins for a three-way tie, but Fechins are in pole position to take the second spot because of their head-to-head with St. Patricks and a healthy score difference.

Roche could defeat Rovers, but the margin of 12 points will be a big ask considering. Ryan Ward showed some fine shooting early on for Rovers but Fechins were dominant with John Kennedy’s men were superior all over the field.

Led by Ryan Walsh’s shooting and punished further by John O’Connell, the victory represents three wins on the trot for the sea siders.

ST. FECHINS: Ryan Walsh 0-5, John O’Connell 0-3, Danny Burnell 0-2, Evan Dolan 0-2, Colm O’Neill 0-1, Garbhan O’Reilly 0-1, Shane Reilly 0-1.

HUNTERSTOWN ROVERS: Donovan Sheridan; Senan Taaffe, Adam O’Reilly, Martin Lennon; Alan Mathews, Patrick Taaffe, Cillian Taaffe; Marc Ward, David Finn; Joe Rogers 0-1, Ryan Ward 0-4, Jamie O’Callaghan; Aaron Levins, Glen Matthews, Colm Murphy.

Subs: Daithi Carroll, Oran Martin, Tony McKenna, Conor Reaburn, Oisin O’Brien.

NAOMH MAIRTIN 2-5 ST PATRICK’S 2-16

St. Patrick’s finished out their Paddy Sheelan Cup campaign with a fine win over Group toppers Naomh Mairtin in Monasterboice on Friday night. Despite the loss, Paddy Christie’s side advanced to the knock-out stages.

An even first half was edged by the visitors thanks to free-scoring Conor McGuinness, as the corner man hit three points in a row and that would be the difference at the short whistle with Pat leading 0-7 to 0-4. Tom Gray notched a couple of free’s to stay in touch.

The visitors really lifted it in the second half with an early McGuinness goal. Jack Murphy did raise a green flag in response but Martin McEneaney’s accuracy off the deck was telling.

The booming frees from the goalie and a two-pointer stretched the game to the Lordships men’s favour. Substitutes James O’Connor and Oisin Gray landed late goals for their respective outfits.

ST. PATRICKS: Martin McEneaney 0-4; Conor Grogan, Darren O’Hanlon, Daniel Tumulty; Sean Holland, Rory Duffy, Darren Connor 0-2; Tom McCann, Padraig Duffy; Jack Murphy, Micheál O’Shaughnessy 0-2, Aidan McCann; Brian Commons 0-1, Conor McGuinness 1-7, Joe Connor.

Subs: James Savage, Padraig Duffy, James O’Connor 1-0, Stephen Toner, Fionn Holmes, Jack Elvin.

NAOMH MAIRTIN: Joe Gordon; Charlie Murphy, Shane Morgan, Paddy Usher 0-1; Eoin Cooney, Jake Neilon, Finbarr Johnson; Jack Lynch, Eoghan Winters; Karl Morgan, Tom Gray 0-4, Enda McDonnell; Daire McDonnell, Oisin Gray 1-0, Josh Kirwan.

Subs: Jack Murphy 1-0, Darren Morgan, Cian Sands, Oran McDonnell, Evan Whelan.

ROCHE EMMETS 1-13 ST. KEVIN’S 0-14

A second-half goal from Mark Byrne would be enough to power Roche Emmets victory over St Kevin’s in Philipstown. In the even affair, Byrne’s strike would be the difference.

At halftime the hosts led by the minimum, 0-10 to 0-9, but in the second half, Barry O’Hare struck one from beyond the arc to push the game beyond the hosts and give the Faughart side their second win of the campaign ahead of their final outing against Hunterstown Rovers.

ROCHE EMMETS: Evin Quigley; Marc Murphy, Sean Connolly, Kevin Quigley; Taylor Ward, Liam Dawe, James McDonnell; David Quigley, Ryan Martin; Sean Dawe, Mark Byrne 1-1, Cathal Corcoran 0-1; Alex McArdle 0-1, Barry O’Hare 0-9, Fionn Connolly 0-1.

GROUP C

STABANNON PARNELLS 5-8 KILKERLEY EMMETS 1-18

Five-star Stabannon Parnells picked up all the spoils thanks to five first-half goals to defeat the Group toppers Kilkerley Emmets.

Parnells exit the competition however, with Emmets losing their unbeaten start but will still advance to the quarter-finals.

Dylan Shevlin was the star of the show in mid Louth on Friday night, the imposing full forward struck four first half goals. The youngster’s form, under the new rules, could have Louth manager Ger Brennan ringing.

Bobby Butterly also found the net in a blistering first half that saw the hosts lead 5-5 to 0-10 at halftime. Micheal Begley and Tadhg McEnaney keeping Emmets in touch.

An early point and two pointer from Harry Butterly would end Stabannon’s scoring on the night but they would not be caught.

Begley and McEneaney had five between them in the second period but despite Fintan Brady’s late goal it would not be enough to keep the winning streak alive.

STABANNON PARNELLS: Michael Lynch; Daniel Clinton, Ryan Halpenny, Johnnie McGee; Conor Clinton 0-1, Colm Giggins 0-1, Jake Corrigan; Niall Cluskey, Ryan Shelvin 0-1; Padraig Reynolds, Bobby Butterly 1-0, Richard Rogers; PJ Byrne, Harry Butterly 0-3, Dylan Shelvin 4-1.

Subs: Robert Callaghan for Dylan Shelvin, Mark Byrne for Conor Clinton, Cillian Byrne 0-1 for Ryan Shelvin, and J Cronin for PJ Byrne.

KILKERLEY EMMETS: Callum Mulholland; Glen Hoey, Kieran Murtagh 0-1, Oran McMahon; Luke Shevlin, Brian Brady, Aaron Crawford 0-1; Cathal Bellew 0-1, Ciaran Bellew; Tadhg Fitzgerald, Darragh Conlon, Rian Hand; Tadhjg McEneany 0-5, Michael Begley 0-6, Conor Quigley 0-2 pt f.

Subs: Fionn Cumiskey, Conal McEnaney; Darren Geoghegan 0-1, Ultan McEneany 0-1, Fintan Brady 1-0, Rian Holland, Andrew Thornton.

DUNDALK GAELS 1-8 NEWTOWN BLUES 3-9

With no way to advance in the Paddy Sheelan Cup both sides played out an entertaining game in The Ramparts on Friday night as Newtown Blues claimed victory with two late goals.

In an edgy first half David McComish opened for the hosts and a late Luke Murray score ensured the Gaels lead 0-4 to 0-3 at half time.

After the break, the home side looked to be in control until the Blues lifted their sharpness for goals in the final quarter. Three of the Drogheda side's last four scores were goals. That’s what won John Kermode’s side the game.

Liam Brannigan and Niall Devlin’s efforts sealed the smash and grab success and despite substitutes Tomas Kavanagh's goal and Adrian Rafferty’s point, it would not be enough for the Intermediate champs. 

NEWTOWN BLUES: Johnny McDonnell; Joe Harte, Aidan O’Brien, Joey; Liam Brannigan 1-0, Ciaran Cluskey Kelly, Owen B; Ian Connor 0-1, Allan Connor; Jack Healy 0-1, Colm Judge 0-2, Sean Cummins; Conor Moore, Eoin McCoy 0-2, Niall Devlin 1-1.

Subs: Ronan Browne 0-1, Sean Carr, Jamie Kelly.

DUNDALK GAELS: Aaron Culligan; Sean Lambert, Tom Murphy, Sean Lynch; James Lynch, James Stewart, David McComish 0-1; James O'Connell, Jordan Keating 0-1; Chris Sweeney 0-1, Eanna McArdle 0-1, Luke Murray 0-1; Conall McArdle, Jack Mullen, Shaun Duffy 0-2.

Subs: Stephen Murphy, Cain Bromley, Emmet Lindsay, Cian Mulligan, Adrian Rafferty 0-1, Tomas Kavanagh 1-0, Luke Conlon. James Haughney, Preston Keating.

COOLEY KICKHAMS 0-19 ST BRIDES 0-11

Cooley Kickhams were in determined form in Fr McEvoy Park on Friday night as their win over St. Brides ensured they finished runners-up in Group C of the Paddy Sheelan Cup.

The Brides finished bottom of the group but showed sparks on the night from the two McArdles, Donal and Daniel.

Paul Brennan was in striking form for the hosts and would not be denied as the midfielder struck six points over the hour.

Former county man Paddy Reilly did keep the Knockbridge men in touch but the half-dozen scores from full forward Michael Rafferty were enough for the hosts to claim second place behind table-toppers Kilkerley.

COOLEY KICKHAMS: Niall Brady; Ronan McBride, Dean McGreehan, Sean Thornton; Ian Arnold, Patrick Hanlon, Fionn O’Reilly; Darren Marks, Paul Brennan 0-6; Jason Brady, Michael Carron, Enda O’Neill 0-2; Thomas McCarragher, Michael Rafferty 0-6, Patrick Johnson 0-2.

Subs: Cormac Malone 0-2, Sean Hoey, Niall Morgan, Richard Brennan 0-1, Michael John Hanlon, James O’Reilly, Gerard White, Gerry Malone, James Shields.

ST BRIDES: Paddy Reilly 0-5, Bernard Laverty 0-3, Donal McArdle 0-2, Daniel McArdle 0-1.

GROUP D

ST MOCHTAS 2-13 GERALDINES 1-5

St Mochtas pipped the Geraldines for the runners-up spot in Group D of the Paddy Sheelan Cup thanks to victory at McGeough Park on Thursday evening.

A strong second half display saw the Louth Village side pull away and in the end they recorded a comfortable win to finish behind St Marys in the table.

Goals from Declan Byrne and Cormac Smith helped the visitors take charge of this encounter as they picked up a third victory of the campaign.

The Mochtas found the net in the opening half to give their side momentum but Jack McGailey raised a green flag at the other end to ensure the Gers trailed by just 1-7 to 1-3 at the break.

It was St Mochtas who picked up the pace after the restart and a second goal along with Declan Byrne’s tally of seven points saw them over the line. Brian Cafferty top-scored with four for the hosts but his team were unable to sustain the challenge after the break.

ST MOCHTAS: Philly Englishby; Oisin Kerr, Conor McKenna, Liam Lawlor; Oisin Callan, Ben Goss Kieran, Andrew Lennon 0-1; Darren McMahon 0-1, Sean Flynn; Gerry Garland 0-1, Declan Byrne 1-7, Jamie Farrell 0-1; Cormac Smyth 1-0, Sean McLoughlin, Gavyn Short.

Subs: Shane McMahon, David Lennon 0-1, Jake Mason, Rian Colgan, Andrew Hoey 0-1.

GERALDINES: Evan O’Callaghan; Ryan Traynor, Daragh O Gradaigh, Paul Clarke; Jack McGailey 1-0, Jack Traynor, Tiernan Hand; Michael Kerley, John McCrohan; Eoin McDonnell, Brian Cafferty 0-4, Tom Cunniffe; Brian Devlin, David O’Connell 0-1, Cathal Fee.

Subs: Cormac Brough for C Fee, Evan Hoey for D O’Connell, James Lawrence for E McDonnell.

YOUNG IRELANDS 2-10 DREADNOTS 2-6

Young Irelands recorded their first victory of the Paddy Sheelan Cup when they edged out the Dreadnots at Pairc Eire Og on Thursday night.

The Clogherhead side went into the game seeking a third victory of the campaign but failed to find their best form on the night as the hosts prevailed thanks largely to a strong first half showing.

The Dundalk men were first out of the blocks as Peter Nixon opened the scoring before Sam Reilly levelled at the other end, only for Liam McStravick to open up a gap when he hit the net on nine minutes.

The Dreadnots replied with a goal just after the first quarter from Patrick McGeery, but it was the hosts who went into the break with a 2-6 to 1-3 lead after Peter McStravick added their second goal.

Six minutes into the second half the visitors gave themselves hope with an Owen Murphy goal but were unable to build on that score as points from Ruairi Kelly and Leon Duffy helped the green-and-blacks to victory.

YOUNG IRELANDS: Fergal Sheekey; Alan Hanks, Ciaran Murray, Cian O Naraigh; Conn O’Donoghue, Caolan McCabe, Jamie Browne; Peter Nixon 0-2, Ruairi Kelly 0-2; Evan McArdle, Peter McStravick 1-1, Jack McArdle; Mark Lee 0-1, Liam McStravick 1-3, Leon Duffy 0-1.

Subs: Michael O’Shea, Paddy O’Callaghan, Rory O’Connor, Sean Hoey, Dermot Mone.

DREADNOTS: Adam Casidy; Jake Cunningham, Sharkey, Kyle Mulroy, Joshua Kirwan; Ciaran Caffrey, Padraig Rath, Conor Faulkner; Gustas Knustautaite, Callum Skinnader 0-1; Craig Shevlin 0-3, Donnacha Hodgins, Patrick McGeery 1-0; Owen Murphy 1-0, Sam Reilly 0-2, Callum Shevlin.

Subs: David O’Brien for K Mulroy, Cathal Carolan for P McGeery, VJ Collier for C Faulkner, Jack McEvoy for C Skinnader, Alan Smith for C Shevlin.

ST JOSEPHS 4-20 GLEN EMMETS 3-17

St Josephs produced a comeback for the ages on Thursday night as they produced a stunning 19-point turnaround in the last 20 minutes of this dramatic game.

The Joes travelled to Tullyallen to play their second Paddy Sheelan Cup match in 48 hours. The home side had a superb opening first half as they cut through the Joes defence to hit what appeared to be a match-winning score of 3-11 with Callum Wogan, Paddy McHugh and Kealan O’Neill hitting the net.

The Emmets hit two, 2-pointers and a goal in the first five minutes with Alan Quigley pointing for the Joes to lead by 1-4 to 0-1.

A second Emmets goal extended the lead to 2-7 to 0-3 at the end of the first quarter and the hosts produced a third to make it 3-11 to 0-9 at the break. Scores from Conall Smyth, Ben Collier and Michael O’Brien kept the Joes in with a chance.

The Emmets looked to be cruising when they extended the gap to 13 after 40 minutes only for the Joes to spark a remarkable comeback.

In the space of five minutes, Conall Smyth hit the net for the Joes, Ben Collier pointed a free and then added a second goal. An Alan Quigley free had the scoreline at 3-14 to 2-12 at the end of the third quarter.

Three points in a row from Ben Collier, Jack Mulligan and Conall Smyth had the margin down to two points. Excellent defending by the Joes limited the home team's chances and an excellent two-pointer on 50 minutes restored the Glen Emmets four-point lead.

Two quick-fire points from Ben Collier and Ciaran Johnston for the Joes was followed by what was to be the last score for the home team, giving the Emmets a three-point lead with seven minutes remaining - 3-17 to 2-17.

The Joes continued to dominate goals from Smyth and Rian Devlin put their side in front and late scores from Collier and Jack Mulligan saw them complete a memorable win.

ST JOSEPHS: Stephen Carron; Ciaran Johnston (0-1), David Kieran, Aidan Kieran; Michael O’Brien (0-2,2p), Rian Devlin, Conor Neary, Rian Devlin (1-0), Killian Staunton, Alan McKenna, Jack Mulligan (0-3), Craig Doherty, Rory McLoughlin (0-1), Alan Quigley (0-5), Ben Collier (1-4), Conall Smyth (2-4), Daire Smyth.

GLEN EMMETS: Ian O'Reilly; Keith Boylan, Evan English, Evan Lynch; James Breen, Aidan Monaghan, Callum Wogan 1-1; Cian Talbot, Paddy McHugh 1-1; Darragh Russell, James Butler 0-8 (1 2p), Keefer Carolan 0-2 (2p); Jacob Morgan 0-1, Kealan O'Neill 1-1, Lorcan Lynch.

Subs: Seamus Smyth for E Lynch, Cathal Maguire for D Russell, Ronan Grufferty 0-2 for J Morgan, Jack Mullen for L Lynch, David Bracken for A Monaghan, Diarmuid McKeown for C Wogan, David Andrews for J Breen, Alex Blakeman Fowler for K. Carolan.

ST MARYS 1-11 CLAN NA GAEL 0-11

St Marys finished top of Group D of the Paddy Sheelan Cup after recording a narrow win over Clan na Gael in Dundalk on Thursday night.

The three-point victory made it four wins from four as the Ardee men continued their impressive start to the new season.

In a game where there was little between the teams throughout, it was St Marys who established an early lead. However, the Clans hit back to take a 0-7 to 0-4 lead into the break, with Robbie Curran in fine scoring form on the night.

The second half saw the visitors raise the tempo and they gained the initiative on 39 minutes with the only goal of the game. As the Clan's challenge faded, the Marys took full advantage to emerge with another victory.

CLAN NA GAEL: Sean Smyth; Conor Smith, Craig Callan, Brian McDonnell; Craig Long, Conor Noonan, Tiernan Weldon; Shay Coleman 0-1, Gerard Curran; Paul Crewe 0-1, Liam O'Hanlon, Gavin Gaffey 0-1; Aodhan Kirk, Robbie Curran 0-6, Brooklyn Cavanagh.

Sub: Farouq Ibrahim for B Cavanagh.

Powerscreen New England Paddy Sheelan Cup Fixtures

Group B - Round 2 - Tuesday, 18th March: Hunterstown Rovers v Roche Emmets - Pairc Baile Fiach at 8.00pm.

Knockout - Semi-final A - Saturday, 22nd March: Ardee St. Marys v Kilkerley Emmets - Venue TBC at Time TBC

Knockout - Semi-final B - Saturday, 22nd March: Naomh Mairtin v St. Josephs - Pairc Naomh Mairtin at 7.00pm.