Louth GAA club | Blues boss Clerkin celebrates Joe Ward Cup victory

Newtown Blues senior football manager, Johnny Clerkin, was almost lost for words after his side claimed a dramatic one-point victory over St Mochtas in the Louth GAA Anchor Tours Senior Football Championship final replay, on Sunday afternoon.

Captain Ciarán Downey fired over a two-pointer with the final kick of the game to secure the Blues' 24th senior title in horrendous conditions at the Integral GAA Grounds in Drogheda.

Clerkin admitted he had not expected such a dramatic finish after his side put themselves in a promising position at the half-time break when the sides were tied at six points each.

However, missed chances allowed Mochtas back into contention, and the Louth Village side moved three points ahead before two late two-pointers turned the game in the Blues' favour.

Speaking at full time, Clerkin said: “Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. I suppose, didn't really think that was going to be the way it panned out. I thought maybe at half time we were well happy, with the wind. We knew the wind was tricky anyway.

"But we felt we'd put in a good first half to put ourselves in a good position. We just were snatching a few shots, and you could feel the Mochtas growing into it.

"We had a purple spell in the second half. We kicked three or four wides, and then the Mochtas came and came, and that was their purple patch. They went three up then, and then we kicked two two-pointers, and out the gap.”

Downey's winning score capped an impressive display from the All-Star nominee, who had failed to make his usual impact in the drawn final the previous weekend.

“I think even he would say that he has had better days than last week. And I think today he certainly more than made up for it - the way he played, he was excellent today.”

Clerkin felt his key players had performed much better than in the first meeting, although the strong winds made life difficult for both teams.

“Last week in the game that was a draw, the star players didn't play to their potential, but it was different today. I suppose with both teams, the way the game panned out last week, both teams, the match-ups worked really well.

“But I think a lot of that, then, with the elements today, it sort of nullified a bit of that. It is hard, and maybe I'm a bit biased, but when you're looking at it, it felt like a good game of football.

“Even though with the wind, it was low scoring, but I still felt like... I thought the referee let it go the way it should be. In that sort of weather, it wasn't too nit-picking. And I think we all benefited from that.”

Having only taken charge in June, Clerkin admitted that winning the Joe Ward Cup had not been part of his plans when he stepped into the role.

After two closely fought finals, the Blues had finally secured another county title, giving Clerkin his first senior championship success as manager.

He acknowledged the club's proud history but admitted there had been plenty of challenges along the way to the top of Louth football.

“No, it wasn't on the agenda, if I’m being honest now; in fairness, it wasn't. When you get involved with the Newtown Blues, as history would tell you, you always have a chance to get something. But it certainly wasn't on my agenda; I've documented that.

I've seen how the Blues worked and learned stuff. I've done alright so far. And it's been hard; it's been tough. There have been good nights, bad nights. But it all sort of rode in, and we ended up here now after what happened today.”