Louth JFC Preview 2024

While the race for Intermediate and Senior honours have kicked off club championship football in Louth over the last few weeks, this weekend sees the race for the Christy Bellew Cup begin, which promises to be as open and as unpredictable as ever.

Will one of the big hitters come out on top? Or can a team catch form and hit the right note at the right time?

While many eyes will be on household names like the O’Connells, Lannléire, and St Oliver Plunketts who still boast plenty of Division 2 and Intermediate experience among their ranks, there is a case to be made for a team from 3B to cause a stir in this year’s championship, with the likes of The Westerns, St Nicholas, and Wolfe Tones potentially set to cause a possible upset of the apple cart.

It all kicks off on Friday evening with opening matches in Groups 1, 2 and 3 all down for decision.

In Group 1, Lannléire take on Naomh Malachi in Darver, hoping for a repeat performance of last year’s group meeting between the two sides, which saw the Dunleer side prevail.

Key to this victory was talented forward Darragh Malone who scored 1-5 in last year’s game. Once again, Colin Lambe’s side will look to Malone for inspiration and scores, having been a shining light in an otherwise disappointing Division 2 league campaign which saw them relegated back to Division 3A for next year in a season which has seen them hampered with injuries, as well as missing Pierce Hawkins and Killian Gregory who have left on their travels.

Lannléire will be looking to improve on last year’s JFC showing, which saw them lose out at the quarter-final stages to eventual winners Glyde Rangers.

Alongside Malone, Dunleer will also look to forwards Paul Callan and Bob Murphy for that guile in attack, while Ian Mulroy will also be key to Lannléire getting any further in this year’s championship.

Lannliére also boast several defenders capable of making life difficult for many forwards at this grade, including Jason Torris, Darragh Goodman, Paul McGeough and Alex Carroll, with the experienced Brian McGuinness a key presence at centre-half-back, while Kyle Van Rhijn brings energy and pace to the middle sector.

Goalkeeper Liam Callan’s kickouts and long range free taking can also be a key facet to the Dunleer side. With such an arsenal of names at their disposal, Lannléire certainly offer credible title credentials.

Facing Lannléire on Friday night are last year’s quarter-finalists, Naomh Malachi. Managed once again by Kevin Carragher, the Courtbane side are always capable of picking up form and enjoying a rich run of results.

However, a combination of injuries and players going travelling have hit the Malachis at bad times, including Sean McCardle and David Begley who have suffered big injuries this season. 

Naomh Malachi have also had to plan without Paudie McLoughlin and Jack Kirwan who have gone travelling. Such issues have left the Mals squad somewhat thin on the ground.

However, that squad has quality, including Paudie Moley, who’s capable of winning a match on his own as a scoring midfielder, while team captain Jason Clarke provides a wealth of experience at centre half Collie Rooney could produce key moments of magic, like a winning goal in last year’s clash against the Sean McDermotts.

The recent return of the experienced Pierce Caherty has proved useful, having been a useful presence at the edge of the square, as well as the impact of forward Matty Campbell.

Both sides are expected to advance from this group, given the current situation Dowdallshill find themselves in, the third team of this group. Having withdrawn from Division 3B ahead of the last three rounds, the Dundalk side have not won a competitive game since 2022.

While they remain hopeful of being able to field a team at this year’s championship, it remains difficult for them to emerge from this group.

Managed by club legend and Louth Masters star Peter Hughes, Dowdallshill still retain some exciting players among their squad, including team captain Sean Duffy, as well as Jack McGailey, Stephen Murray and forward Donal Magennis, all players that Dowdallshill will look to as outlets of hope.

You may also expect to see players like Noel Finnegan continue to drive things on for the Dowdallshill cause. However, the expectation is that Lannléire should top this group, with Naomh Malachi expected to advance.

Group 2 also begins on Friday night, with the O’Connells taking on the Westerns in one of the ties of the opening round of the Junior Championship.

On the one hand, you have the O’Connells, keen for a swift return to the Intermediate ranks, having suffered a league and championship double relegation last year.

A key factor to this demotion was the loss of Niall Conlon, Jackie Agnew, and Robert Quigley among others. The trio have returned to a side managed by club stalwart Stuart Reynolds.

With the return of Conlon, Agnew, and Quigley, to a side already including Byrne brothers Emmet and Conor, you could argue that the Castlebellingham side would still be calling themselves an Intermediate side if they were able to call on this group of players last year, while Stuart Osbourne has enjoyed an impressive season.

Mixed in with this is a sprinkling of youth, with debutants Justin Cooney and Harry Kierans impressing, while Evan Kearney and Sam Shearman have also established themselves as part of the first team.

Such a blend of youth and experience, as well as the scoring power of Robert Quigley and Niall Conlon especially, the O’Connells look a good bet to win this group and go deep into this Junior Championship.

Taking on the O’Connells on Friday in Haggardstown will be the Westerns, who have made steady progress, in a season which saw them secure promotion to Division 3A for next year.

The Westerns are one of several 3B sides capable of causing problems to the so-called household names in this grade.

The Reaghstown side possess a myriad of young players who have emerged from the hugely successful Ardee Community School side, including Killian Crosbie and Cathal Kennedy who were part of the school’s Lennon Cup win last year.

Young forward Emmet Smith’s scoring has also been a noteworthy feature of the Westerns side this season. The key player on display for David Martin’s side is James Maguire.

Having excelled for the Louth under 20s earlier this year, Maguire’s heavy scoring has been a huge component to the Westerns season, and he will be key again if they are to progress from this group and in this championship.

The Westerns will also look to the experience of Anthony Durnin to guide these young players, having coached many of them with Ardee CS, while Chris Kerr, Patrick Kerley, Dylan Ogle and Mick Martin will also be key.

The return of former Louth minor panellist Ciaran Scriven from his travels has also added to their options. The winner of this opening clash will face Annaghminnon Rovers a week later.

Managed by Down native Glen Burden, Rovers failed to make it out of the group stages last year, but have had a solid 3B league campaign and will not be a soft touch when it comes to the championship.

Despite missing out on a quarter-final last year, Rovers still acquitted themselves well, in a group which saw them having to face last year’s finalists Naomh Fionnbarra, and winners Glyde Rangers.

Once again, Rovers will look to Rory Phelan, James O’Connor, Dwayne Markey and Aidan Lee Martin who are lively in attack, in a side captained by Connor Russell.

Nathan Buckley is another player who is one to watch, having been a solid influence at centre half-back or sometimes full-back. Buckey transferred to the club from Ardee St Marys.

Group 3 opens up on Friday night, with a clash between last year’s beaten semi-finalists St Oliver Plunketts and the Wolfe Tones.

Having lost out by a point in their semi-final with Glyde Rangers, the Plunketts will be looking to go a few steps further in their quest to return to the Intermediate ranks following a 2-year absence. Like Lannléire and the O’Connells, St Oliver Plunketts do possess decent title credentials.

Sitting atop of Division 3A, the Drogheda side feature a number of players with experience from the division above, including Cillian Matthews, David McTeggart, Stephen Keeley, Dean Carolan, and Shaun Smith, while Robert Brodigan is still a key presence in the middle sector.

With big hitters like Keeley and Brodigan to aim for, Plunketts’ keeper Luke Haggins has plenty of targets to find from his long kickouts. Haggins’ free-taking from long-range can also be an important facet for the Drogheda side.

The question which remains is who the Plunketts will look to, to provide key scores, with names like Kristian & Killian Nolan, and Sean Callaghan expected to take up the mantle.

Facing the Plunketts on Friday will be the Wolfe Tones, another side with plenty of excitement building around them. The Tones are under the tutelage of John Garvey, who took over the Drogheda side mid-season.

Having cruelly lost out on penalties to Naomh Fionnbarra in last year’s semi-final, the Tones carry plenty of potential for a similar fruitful run in this year’s JFC.

With huge scoring potential including Eoghan Brennan, Darren Weldon, Liam Gaffney and Rory Taffee, the Tones possess talent which brings excitement to their supporters, with Dwayne Leavy also enjoying a decent league campaign.

How Garret Cooney will line out for the Tones will be interesting. Having established himself as a key midfielder last year, Cooney has lined out in the full forward line this season, adding to a frightening scoring arsenal, with Mark Healy and Dean Haggins seemingly picking things up at midfield. Defender Rhys McGovern has also caught the eye in defence for the Tones this year.

Group 3 is the first of two 4 team groups, which sees Division 3B winners St Nicholas take on Na Piarsaigh in Stabannon on Saturday.

The Nicks are managed by Clan na Gael clubman and former coach Karl O’Connor, who has also coached the Sean O’Mahonys and currently manages the Dundalk IT Ladies side.

Having pipped the Westerns to the 3B title on the last day, the Drogheda side will be hoping to bring that winning habit to their championship campaign in what promises to be an intriguing group indeed. 

Key to this victory was young forward Fionn Meagher, with his low centre of gravity and scoring prowess. Meagher is part of a young and hungry St Nicholas side, featuring defender Caebhan Housidari, and midfielder Sam Reilly, alongside forwards Paidi Downey, and Philip Kirwan.

Captained by Brian Carter, the Nicks also boast solid defenders Alex and Stephen Finnegan among their ranks. Cian Flynn who arrived from St Colmcilles in the off-season has also impressed from wing-back.

Another boost for the Nicks has seen the return of Roy Kierans to the side, having starred for soccer team Glebe North who won the FAI Intermediate Cup, managed by his brother Darius Kierans, former Dundalk and Drogheda boss.

The free-taking of goalkeepers is another theme in this group, with Shane Finnegan usually good for a few scores from dead-balls. Facing the Nicks is Na Piarsaigh, who have not enjoyed the best times in Division 3A, standing in the relegation playoff.

However, as they have shown by beating the Plunketts, the Naps are still capable of big results, managed by Keady native Stephen Gollogly.

They still boast experienced players like Joe and Michael Woods, alongside Jarlaith Lyons, and Ronan McCartney, players who featured in their run to the 2009 Intermediate championship final.

Joe Woods captains this side alongside Tommy Muckian, whose switch to wing-back from wing-forward should bring speed and pace to that area, while John Galligan has also served the Dundalk side well from the back.

Fionn Tipping is a key name on the Na Piarsagh side, another key star from the Louth under-20 side, while Na Piarsagh will also look to Jamie Fealy for scores, alongside Ciaran and Robert Murphy.

Former Dundalk FC and Drogheda United player Tiarnan Mulvenna is also known for his impact from the bench, scoring a goal against Naomh Fionnbarra earlier in the league.

On paper, the Plunketts look favourites to advance from this group. However, the clash between Wolfe Tones and St Nicholas will be key to deciding the outcome of this group, which could be even described as the ‘Group of Death’.

On Sunday afternoon, Group 4 of this championship sees Cuchulainn Gaels face the John Mitchells, and Naomh Fionnbarra take on the Sean McDermotts.

Coming up in Louth Village at 12.30pm, the Mitchells face Cuchulainn Gaels, hoping to recapture some of the magic which saw them reach the Junior decider in 2021.

The Ballybaile side will once again hope that marquee forward John Gallagher can once again lead the scoring line for a side managed by former Newtown Blues and Nicks player Jimmy Murray.

Looking at their side, the Mitchells do possess impressive scoring power besides Gallagher, as well as a solid spine, from goalkeeper David Anderson, Mitchell Keenan at full-back, Mikey Nulty at 6, midfielders Andrew Bingham & Aaron Keely, as well as Trevor Matthews and John Gallagher in attack.

The evergreen Alan Mackin continues to impress as sweeper, while former county man John Bingham brings a wealth of experience in defence.

Indeed, Nulty has been known for scoring 1-1 or 1-2 with barnstorming runs from centre-back, while Ardee transfer Tristan Knowles can chip in with stylish scores, alongside Gallagher and Matthews.

Injuries have players going travelling have hampered the squad, with the Mitchells looking set to lose Australia-bound David Anderson at the end of the month, with Gareth Kane and Kevin Gallagher already travelling.

The Mitchells face last year’s quarter-finalists Cuchulainn Gaels, managed by former Naomh Fionnbarra boss Paddy White.

Having lost a number of players to retirements and travelling, including Jordan Loye and Brendan O’Hagan, the Omeath side seems to be in a period of transition, with a number of young players featuring.

Such players include Larry Brennan, Eamon Donnelly and Adam Sharkey, alongside Sean Brennan, Philip McGovern and Rowan Mulligan. The scoring ability of James Sharkey and Jamie Molloy will be key to the Gaels’ hopes of progressing out of the group for a fourth year in a row.

Experienced players like the McCabes, and Cian McDonald will also be important to the Gaels’ cause, while the vastly experienced Seamus Quigley continues to roll back the years in between the sticks for them. In the second of Sunday’s offering from the JFC, Naomh Fionnbarra face the Sean McDermotts.

Having lost a number of players from last year’s run to the Junior decider, Naomh Fionnbarrra have struggled this season, with relegation to division 3B, not helping their case to go one better this time around.

The men from Togher have also had injuries to contend with, most notably long-term absentee Hugh Osbourne with an ACL, as well as Josh Crosbie and Sean Boyle.

The responsibility once again falls on Hugh’s brother Conor Osbourne to lead the Togher line, something which he is very capable of doing.

Young players have formed a large backbone of Naomh Fionbarra this season, with Louth minor panellist from last year, Cormac McArdle taking up the scoring mantle, vacated by Ciaran Markey who left for Australia.

Other young players include Jack Murtagh, Dylan Hanratty and Aaron Kearney who have all impressed at times this year, while the return of Brendan Simms and Kieran Lenehan will provide a welcome relief to Neil Hand’s side.

Facing them is Sean McDermotts, managed by Mark Murray, who took over mid-season. Having had a solid 3B campaign, the Seans will be optimistic. They were unfortunate not to advance from their group in last year’s championship, losing narrowly to Naomh Malachi and Lannléire.

The Seans still retain a number of survivors from their run to the JFC final in 2010, including Sean McMahon, and David O’Neill, in defence, as well as midfielders Patrick Osbourne, Declan Carroll, and the evergreen Brendan McGahon.

Forwards Kevin McMahon, Tony Kelly, and Emmet Duffy will still be key outlets for the Mountrush side. Young players making their presence felt include Matthew Little and Donnacha McCourt, while Sean Boyle and Ronnie Ruikis have also caught the eye.

Ian McDonald who transferred into the club from St Josephs two years ago has also impressed in several positions in the team this year, but seems to be a regular fixture at cornerback.