Louth GAA: Cooley Kickhams reclaimed the Paddy Sheelan Cup

Cooley Kickhams celebrate their Sheelan Cup win over St Brides at McEvoy Park Cooley | Arthur Kinahan

placeholder image — Cooley Kickhams celebrate their Sheelan Cup win over St Brides at McEvoy Park Cooley | Arthur Kinahan

Kickhams recorded a four-point victory over St Brides

Cooley Kickhams 2-14

St Brides 3-7

Cooley Kickhams reclaimed the Paddy Sheelan Cup thanks to a four-point victory over St Brides in the decider at Fr McEvoy Park on Sunday afternoon.

Emmet Duffy’s goal at the start of the fourth quarter proved decisive as the hosts held off a determined challenge from the Knockbridge men.

St Brides got off the mark in the first minute with a point from Nathan Kirk. However, with the aid of the conditions in the first half, Cooley then took control of the game and rattled off six points in a row, including scores from Cian Connor, Michael Rafferty, and Duffy.

Maebh Sheelan grandaughter of Paddy Sheelan presenting the Sheelan cup to Cooley Kickhams captain Sean Connor with LCB Chairman Sean McClean | Arthur Kinahan

Just before half-time the visitors hauled themselves back into contention when Nathan Kirk found the net to cut the gap to 0-7 to 1-2 at the break.

With the wind in their backs, the Brides were in a strong position heading into the second period and they started well with points from Nathan Kirk, Kevin Hearty, and Patrick Reilly.

However, Cooley Kickhams regained the initiative when they hit the Brides’ net with a goal from Michael Rafferty in the 37th minute. The advantage didn’t last long as the goal was quickly cancelled out when Kevin Hearty hit the net at the other end with a well-taken goal.

Cooley added a number of points, and when Emmet Duffy hit the net for Cooley at the start of the fourth quarter, it left them six points ahead and put some daylight between the teams.

St Brides battled on with a number of scores, and Bernard Lavery found the net with two minutes to go, but it was always going to be a tall order for St. Brides.

Cooley Kickhams: Niall Brady; Paddy Hanlon, Darren Marks, Ian Arnold; Sean Hoey (0-1), Paul Brennan, Ronan McBride; Jack Long, Niall Morgan; Finn O’Reilly (0-1), Brian Boyle, Joe Hanlon; Cian Connor (0-6), Mickey Rafferty (1-4), Emmet Duffy (1-2). Subs: Mickey Carron for J Hanlon, Tiarnan Hanniffy for P Brennan, Thomas McCarragher for B Boyle, Shea Connolly for N Morgan.

St Brides: Aaron Devin; Ronan Bailey, Cillian Kirk, Padraig Mackin; Ross Murnaghan, Bernard Laverty (1-0), Kelvin Slowey; Patrick Reilly (0-1), James Costello; Andrew Smyth, Donal McArdle, Morgan Tobin; Nathan Kirk (1-5), Neil Thornton, Kevin Heatry (1-1). Subs: Ruairi Carpenter, Steven Hoey, Padraig Rutledge, Evan Wynne.