Louth GAA club | Delaney proud as punch after Fechins crowned SHC winners

St Fechins senior hurling manager Ray Delaney hailed a “Trojan performance” from his players after they defeated Naomh Moninne 2-18 to 2-16 to claim the Louth GAA Senior Hurling Championship title at Integral GAA Grounds in Drogheda on Sunday afternoon.

Fechins made a flying start and built up a big advantage before being forced to withstand a strong second-half comeback from the Dundalk side, with Delaney delighted by the way his players held their nerve to bring the Paddy Kelly Cup back to the club.

Speaking after the final whistle, he said: “It’s unbelievable, 2-18 to 2-16; the boys gave a Trojan performance. We knew Moninne would come in the second half and they did, but by jaysus we stood up.

“Lads used the ball well, did the simple things, we got it out, don’t mind the red cards, they just marred the game. It was a fantastic sporting spectacle from both teams, and we wish Moninne the best of luck for the year.

“We’re going to play them again now in the senior league in a couple of weeks' time, and all I can say is that’ll be another great night but tonight belongs to St Fechins.”

There had been signs in the build-up that the manager believed a big performance was coming from his players. He felt their preparation and belief would give them every chance of delivering when it mattered.

“When I was talking last week I didn’t want to say much, but I knew this was bubbling.

“To keep the lid on the boys for the last couple of weeks I asked them to do one thing: follow the plan, have self-belief and let’s see where it takes us down the line. If we’re good enough, we’ll be back, and if we aren’t, then Moninne will be worthy champions.”

Naomh Moninne refused to go quietly as Conor Murphy was central to their fightback and finished with 2-2, but the Termonfeckin men had prepared specifically for the threat posed by the dangerous forward.

“Yeah, we had a plan; the plan worked today. It doesn’t work every other day though; he still scored 2-2. He’s dangerous, he’s definitely one of the best hurlers in Louth. He’s probably one of the best hurlers in the country, given the right ball.

“Fair kudos to him, but I can’t talk about another team when this bunch of Trojans, this bunch of Spartans came out for me today.

“I gave them one simple plan. I said we have the men, we have the plan, we have the preparation done; now let’s just go execute it, and execute it to the letter of the law. They did.

“I’m so proud, I’m so proud to be called their manager today; it’s unbelievable. And it means everything, everything. I’m a dad of two amazing boys. They couldn’t be here with me today, and that’s the only marring part of it, is that they’re away.

“But I just wanted to let them know, I love them very much. I love this bunch of lads more than anything and as much as my own fellas.

"I hope both of them turn out to be every bit of every man that’s on this panel, because I’m as proud as punch to call every one of them my own. They are brilliant. They are brilliant.”