Louth GAA club | Ruthless O'Mahony's defeat the Tones

First times are always messy, and after Saturday night, Wolfe Tones will vouch for that. Sean O’Mahony’s were ruthless and showed no mercy to the Drogheda club, who played their first ever game of Louth Intermediate Championship football.

The margin of victory did not flatter the Tones either. O’Mahony’s, who were semi-finalists last season, have laid down a marker for Seamus Flood success in the process.

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The opening victory also helps their case that when Terrence Kelly is on song, they are a match for anyone in the county.
Kelly was on it from the off.

Accuracy off the ground was stunning, and it allowed the O’Mahonys to not only build in confidence but pull away from the underdogs in rapid fashion.

Three placed balls from beyond the arc and two ’45’s on the night showed the range Kelly and the O’Mahony’s arsenal possess. O’Mahony’s also took the loss of goalkeeper Kevin Brennan in their stride, too. There was too much of a gulf all around.

To provide some context to the reigning Junior champions. They were playing in Division 3 this season and lost two key players on the run to a promotion playoff.

Regular Tones goalkeeper Johnny Byrne was crucial in their run to glory last season, and the loss of his kick-outs alone was a tough knock to take.

Forwards Niall Smith and Rory Taaffe walked away in recent weeks, and then on top of that, Joe Comiskey, a key forward who returned to the fold this year, had an operation on the eve of the championship.

So you take that into account, and who can see where the big loss adds up. Ironically, Tones started with all the enthusiasm they are known for.

Sean McQuail, a player who looks ready for the step up, slotted over the opening point, and Garrett Cooney and free taker Eoghan Brennan added more to give the brief chance of a shock on the night.

With all cylinders firing, Tones combusted shortly after. Kyle Carroll powerfully cut in off the wing to level with a two-pointer, and in the next play, disaster struck for John Garvey’s men.

Carroll again cut in and his shot just dipped under the crossbar, deceiving deputy goalkeeper Stephen Murray Kierans for a soft goal.

The variety of goals that sucks and did suck the life out of the Tones. You are not in Kansas anymore. The strength of O’Mahony’s championship endeavours lies in the fitness of Terrence Kelly.

The ruthless accuracy had the Tones spiralling. The confidence taken out of them, they would succeed 2-14 in a row. Tiarnan Cassidy’s goal upon the resumption highlighted a further heartlessness from the winners.

Forty minutes after their last score, Brennan struck a free and quickly followed up with a two-point free in the next play. Tones would not score from play for over an hour of football.

The bar has been set. Thomas Rice topped up his tally as the O’Mahony’s finished strong.

Stephen Kilcoyne came off the bench to slot over a brace in a nice impact cameo that could be used later on in the championship, where the Point Road men will no doubt will be.

Tones showed spirit and will need that to consolidate in the grade they fought so hard to get into.

Sean O’Mahony's: Kevin Brennan; Stephen Kettle, Oisin Breen, Chris O’Neill; Conor Finegan 0-01, Aaron Boyle, Sean Cassidy 0-01; Conor Martin, Gareth Hall; Kyle Carroll 1-02 (1tp), Thomas Rice 0-03, Tiarnan Cassidy 1-00; Gary Cawley; Junior Shotayo, Terry Kelly 0-11 (1f, ’245 3tpf).

Subs: Eddie Maguire for Brennan (20), Stephen Kilcoyne 0-02 (1f) for Carroll (49), Aaron Mackin for Martin (58).

Wolfe Tones: Stephen Murray Kierans; Danny Byrne, Dean Haggins, Liam Gaffney; Rhys McGovern, Davy Bolger, Taidgh Rock; Sam Kelly, Mark Healy; Sean McQuail 0-01, Dwayne Leavy, Garrett Cooney 0-01; Eoghan Brennan 0-04 (2f, 1tpf)Alan Wilton, Chris Cudden.

Subs: Darren Weldon for Cudden (38), Sean Flanagan for Byrne (43), Eoghan Clinton for Healy (55), Paddy Fanning for McGovern (56), Ciaran Ellis for Wilton (58).

Referee: Stephen Devlin (St. Finbarrs).