Wonder save spoiled Louth’s chances in bid to retain Leinster title back in 1958

Louth senior footballers’ 1958 campaign was highlighted by an appearance in the Leinster final. As has been widely reported in recent weeks, it was their second in succession, and as was the case the previous year, Dublin were in the other corner.

Louth, of course, were defending champions, their win in ’57 coming just a matter of weeks before the Sam Maguire Cup was carried over the Boyne by Dermot O’Brien.

Due to the Hogan Stand getting the first of its two major makeovers, Croke Park was unavailable. Páirc Tailteann had a capacity in the region of 30,000 at the time and was chosen as the venue.

I was on the grassy bank – since replaced by a spacious terrace – having travelled to Navan by train. We boarded at Dundalk, made our way to Drogheda, and after the change of lines, crossed the bridge – happily still standing over the road to Dublin – on our way westwards.

As All-Ireland champions, Louth were fancied to make it two provincial titles in a row. Tom Conlon, a stalwart in the All-Ireland win, had retired earlier in the year, playing his last match against Westmeath in the O’Byrne Cup. But while one of the county’s greats made his exit, another was on a comeback.

Pat Markey, who had retired from inter-county in 1956, thus missing out on a reward his talent deserved, was in at centre-half having played in the semi-final defeat of Offaly.

In that game, Louth found goals easier to come by than points. It ended 4-3 to 1-5, Kevin Beahan and Alfie Monk getting an even share of the goals. Beahan, Dermot O’Brien and Frank Lynch came in with a point apiece.

Louth showed three changes from the All-Ireland team for the final. Jim McArdle, Mickey Gartlan and Alfie Monk were in for Conlon, Peadar Smith and Seán Cunningham, the latter having emmigrated to the USA.

The full line-out was: Seán Óg Flood (Y. Irelands); Ollie Reilly (Hunterstown Rvs), Jim McArdle (Roche E), Jim Meehan (Nh Mhuire); Patsy Coleman (St Mary’s), Pat Markey (St Mary’s), Stephen White (Y Irelands); Seamie O’Donnell (Cooley K), Mickey Gartlan (Roche E); Kevin Beahan (S McDermott’s, Dublin), Dermot O’Brien (St Mary’s), Frank Lynch (Geraldines); Alfie Monk (Nh Mhuire), Jimmy McDonnell (Darver Vols), Jim Roe (St Mary’s). Barney McCoy (St Mary’s) and Dan O’Neill (St Dominic’s) came in as reserves.

My most abiding member of the match was the fierce ground shot which Kevin Beahan aimed at the Dublin goals at a crucial stage in the second half. It had, as they say, goal written all over it, but somehow the Dublin ‘keeper got a hand to it.

Had it gone in, Louth would have been back in it having trailed for so long, and Beahan would have ended with 2-5 to his credit. Dublin remained on track, and went on to win, 1-11 to 1-6. Like Louth the previous year, the Dubs would advance to All-Ireland glory, beating Jim McKeever’s Derry in the final.

My path crossed Kevin Beahan’s after the game. He was heading to Crinnion’s Hotel in the Navan town centre for a meal, while I was making for the train station. There was a Louth supporter nearby, still, I think, suffering the effects of a few pre-match scoops in Fitzsimons’s. When he saw Beahan he went over to try to console him.

“Jaysus, Kevin, how did he get to that one? The Russian goalie wouldn’t have stopped it.” Paddy O’Flaherty, I’m sure, would have been delighted to know he was being compared with Lev Yashin, reckoned to be one of the greatest-ever goalkeepers.