Louth GAA club | Division Three round-up

O’Connell’s 2-13 Nh Malachi 2-12

O’Connell’s travelled to Courtbane to take on Naomh Malachi in the final round of John O'Neill Sand and Gravel Louth Division Three League, knowing that only victory would secure a top half finish for the team, and in the end they achieved their objective by the narrowest of margins.

The hosts would start the game on the front foot, getting two scores within the first five, but O’Connell’s answered back with a pair of scores of their own from Cian Geeney and Robert Quigley to tie the game up at two apiece.

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Naomh Malachi got back in front before Evan Kearney fired home the game’s opening goal to leave O’Connell’s in front by 1-2 to 0-4 at the water break.

The visitors then took over with scores from Harry Kierans and Robert Quigley extending the lead back out to three before Harry Kierans added the second O’Connell’s goal of the game.

Two more points from Robert Quigley and Cian Geeney saw out the half, with the men from Castlebellingham leading at the interval on a scoreline of 2-6 to 0-4.

The second half started evenly as both sides traded early points, with the O’Connell’s score coming through a wonderful two-pointer from Jackie Agnew.

Naomh Malachi would answer with two points of their own, before Cian Geeney and Bernard Osborne added two-pointers to leave O’Connell’s 2-12 to 0-7 ahead at the second water-break.

From here, however, the game turned on its head when goals from Ronan McElroy and Michael McLoughlin helped the hosts hit 2-4 without reply to bring the O’Connell’s lead back down to the minimum, before a calmly taken Bernard Osborne free kick settled any nerves the visitors might have had.

Despite facing a few chances at the conclusion of the game, O’Connell’s managed to come away with a victory that secured their top-half finish in the league.

O’Connell’s: Stuart Reynolds; Adam Flynn, Jack McGeough, Tadhg Kearney; Alan McGovern, Stuart Osborne, Liam Kiernan; Jackie Agnew (0-2, 2p)), Emmet Byrne; T.J Conlon, Harry Kierans (1-1), Cian Geeney (0-4, 2p); Bernard Osborne (0-3, 2 x 2p), Robert Quigley (0-3), Evan Kearney (1-0).

Subs: Conall Clerkin for S. Osbourne, Derry Flanagan for T. Conlon.

Nh Malachi: Darrin Kearney 0-2; Shayne Kirk, Daniel Mulligan, Conor Begley; Darren Clarke, Donal Begley, Sean McArdle 0-1; Andrew Begley 0-3, Kevin McShane; Matty Campbell 0-2, Michael McLoughlin 1-0, Ronan McElroy 1-0; Stephen Kelly 0-2, Malachy Mackin, Conor Nicholson.

Sub: Paul Burke for S McArdle.

(John O'Neill Sand and Gravel Louth Division Three League table)

Wolfe Tones 6-17 Sean McDermotts 3-6

In the final round of Division 3, Wolfe Tones and Sean McDermotts played out a competitive affair in Montrush.

Tones were already in the promotion play-off after a Monday night win, but despite the loss, Seans will play for the 3B title in October. In the end, it was a slew of second-half goals that decided the outcome for the Drogheda men.

Wily veteran Niall Smith was unmarkable at times, anchoring the full forward line for the winners with a top score of 2-6 on the scorching evening.

Youngster Daniel Commins again caught the eye around the middle for Bryan Sharkey’s side, while Peter Tuite bagged a brace. Mark Healy and Liam Gaffney's strikes cancelled them out.

Wolfe Tones: Johnny Lynch; Danny Byrne, Sean McMahon, Davy Bolger; Sean Flanagan, Rhys McGovern 0-2, Sean McQuail; Mark Healy 1-2, Sam Kelly; Taidgh Rock 0-1, Joe Comiskey 1-2, Liam Gaffney 1-2; Niall Smith 2-6, Alan Wilton 0-1, Eoghan Brennan 0-1.

Subs: Paddy Fanning for Smith, Shane Kelly for Sam Kelly, Lorcan Mallon for Taidgh Rock.

Sean McDermotts: Finbarr Moran; Tomas Devlin, David McArdle, Danny Reilly; Ian Corbally, Sean Martin, Noel Tuite; Daniel Commins 1-1, Pat Osborne; Donnacha McCourt, Sean Martin, Kevin McMahon 0-4; Matthew Little, Peter Tuite 2-1, Lorcan Myles.

Subs: Danny Commins for D McCourt, Nathan Commins for P Osborne, Sean McClory for N Tuite, Ronnie Ruikis for L Myles.

(John O'Neill Sand and Gravel Louth Division Three fixtures)

Na Piarsaigh Blackrock 7-15 Dowdallshill 0-9

Na Piarsaigh Blackrock secured a fifth-place finish in Division 3 when they proved too strong for neighbours Dowdallshill at St Brigid’s Park on Saturday evening.

The visitors certainly finished their campaign on a high as they fired in seven goals on their way to chalking up a seventh win of the season.

David Boyle was the star of the show for the Naps as he claimed an impressive four goals, while Calum Smith, Jamie Fealy and Fionn Tipping also found the net. Meanwhile, Ciaran Murphy came off the bench to land eight points.

For Dowdallshill, it was a disappointing end to the league, and despite some encouraging displays, they finished bottom of the table without a point.

Na Piarsaigh Blackrock: Aidan Marks; Chris Kellet, Shane Roddy, Stephen McGuinness; James McCartney, Michael Woods, Calum Smith 1-0; Conall Myles 0-1, Fionn Tipping 1-1; Gerard Rice. Robbie Murphy, Jamie Fealy 1-2; Tommy Muckian 0-2, David Boyle 4-1, Joe Woods.

Subs: Ciaran Murphy 0-8, Oisin Woods, Jordan Mackin, Tony McNally, Paul Mallon.

St Nicholas 2-15 Glyde Rangers 0-10

St Nicholas finished their Division 3 season on a positive note when they defeated Glyde Rangers in Drogheda on Saturday evening.

The home side had the edge throughout the contest and deservedly collected their fifth win of the campaign. Meanwhile, it was a disappointing end for Glyde, who had to be content with a fourth-place finish.

Hayden Quinn led the way for the winners as he fired in a goal and landed two two-pointers in a personal tally of 1-8, while Roy Kierans also found the net.

It was always going to be difficult for the visitors as they trailed by 1-7 to 0-4 at half time on a night when Olan Crosbie top scored with three points, while Adam Sweeney, Conor McAuley and Shane Byrne were also on target.

St Nicholas: Hayden Quinn 1-8 (2x2p;); Roy Kierans 1-1; Shane Downey 0-3; Cian Flynn 0-2 (2p); Lee Kavanagh 0-1.

Glyde Rangers: Coran Trainor; Darren McKeever, Cein Sheridan, Mark McKeever; Tadhg Kellett, Fiachra Sheridan, Sean Devaney; Adam Sweeney 0-1, Jack McKeever; Killian Scott 0-1, Aaron Devlin, Olan Crosbie 0-3; Leigh Byrne 0-1, Kevin Teather, Aaron Myles 0-1.

Subs: Conor McAuley 0-1, Shane Byrne 0-1.

Nh Fionnbarra 4-17 Westerns 0-5

Nh Fionnbarra completed their league season on a high as they brushed aside the challenge of Westerns at John Markey Park on Saturday evening.

Despite winning an impressive tally of 12 out of 13 games, the Barrs missed out on the league title and were pipped by a John Mitchels side who posted a 100% record.

The hosts had already secured a second-place finish in the table and can now look forward to the play-offs.

John Mitchels 2-9 Cuchulainn Gaels 1-10

John Mitchels made it a clean sweep of 13 wins from 13 games with a dogged win over Cuchulainn Gaels in Omeath on Saturday night.

The game started in a cagey manner with scores hard to come by at the beginning, with the only scores being one from John Gallagher, one from Andrew Bingham, while Cuchulainn Gaels registered one of their own before the first water break.

Things opened up a bit more in the next 15 minutes with Andrew Bingham registering the first goal of the game with a fisted effort, along with a point of his own and further scores from Tristan Knowles and Gareth Kane.

Cuchulainn Gaels got a goal of their own on the stroke of half time to leave the score 1-5 to 1-3 at the break.

The third quarter was tight with Cuchulainn Gaels kicking some good scores, including a two-pointer, before Trevor Matthews got two points of his own with well-worked scores.

John Gallagher registered the Mitchels second goal of the game before the water break to leave the scores at 2-7 to 1-7.

A close last quarter was seen out by the visitors with Trevor Matthews and John Bingham points, while Cuchulainn got three of their own.

In the end, the champions held out to close out a 13th successive win and finish the league with an unblemished record.

John Mitchels: Mickey Quinn; Anthony Coyle, Shane Crosson, Aaron Kane; Mikey Nulty, John Bingham (0-1), Jamie Durnin; Trevor Matthews (0-3), James Clarke; James Sands, John Gallagher (1-1), Ruairi McCann; Andrew Bingham (1-2), Gareth Kane (0-1), Tristan Knowles (0-1).

Subs: Conor Reilly for A Coyle, Aaron Keely for J Sands, Stephen Bingham, Stephen Campbell.