Louth GAA club | Downey's late winner seals Joe Ward Cup for Blues

It was cometh the hour, cometh the man for Newtown Blues captain, Ciarán Downey, who scored a sensational two-pointer with the final kick of the game to secure a one-point victory over St Mochtas in the Louth GAA Senior Football Championship final replay at the Integral GAA Grounds, Drogheda, this afternoon.

The Blues trailed by three points late in normal time, but two late two-pointers from Jamie Kelly and Downey turned the game around and secured the club's record-extending 24th Joe Ward Cup.

It was a heartbreaking finish for St Mochtas, who had led for much of the second half and looked set to win their first senior championship title.

The game was played in difficult conditions, with heavy rain and strong winds making life difficult for both teams. Mochtas had the benefit of the wind in the opening half, but it was the Blues who made the better start.

Conor Moore opened the scoring in the fifth minute after a good passing move before Downey doubled the Drogheda side's lead. Declan Byrne got Mochtas off the mark, but Conor MacCriosta replied to put the Blues two points ahead.

Gerry Garland then landed an excellent two-pointer with the outside of his left foot to bring the sides level at three points each before Downey restored the Blues' lead, but Ciarán Byrne responded almost immediately for Mochta's.

Ben Goss-Kieran then kicked a point to put the Louth Village side ahead for the first time, before Downey levelled again, and Jamie Kelly added another point to put the Blues back in front.

Mochtas had chances to make better use of the wind, but several efforts went wide during the opening half; forward Declan Byrne then converted a free to leave the sides level at the break.

Half-time: St Mochtas 0-6 Newtown Blues 0-6.

Mochtas made a good start after the break despite playing against the strong second-half wind, as Declan Byrne kicked the opening point after the restart to put his side ahead, but scores became difficult to come by as both teams struggled with the conditions.

The Blues had several wides before Jamie Kelly eventually brought them level with just over ten minutes gone in the second period, although the Villagers responded well through Goss-Kieran, who scored his second point to restore their advantage.

Declan Byrne then converted a close-range free to put two between the teams, but Ross Nally replied for the Blues when his effort struck the upright before going over the bar.

However, Mochtas continued to hold the advantage as Declan Byrne converted another free before Garland added a point with five minutes left to leave the Louth Village side leading by three points.

With time running out, the Blues needed something special, and Kelly provided the first part of the comeback when he landed a two-pointer in added time to reduce the deficit to one point.

Mochtas still held the lead as the game entered its final moments, but Louth ace Downey had one last opportunity, and the Blues skipper took aim from around 60 yards and sent a superb two-pointer over the bar with the final kick of the game.

The score put the Drogheda men ahead for the first time in the second half and sparked huge celebrations among their players and supporters.

There was no time for Mochtas to respond as the Blues held on to win by the minimum in what was a difficult defeat for Kevin McClorey’s side, who had put themselves in a strong position to claim a first Joe Ward Cup.

However, it was a memorable finish for the Blues as they returned to the top of Louth football after losing last year's final to rivals Naomh Máirtín.

Johnny Clerkin’s men will now face Wexford champions Kilanerin-Ballyfad in Round One of the AIB Leinster Club Championship at Chadwicks Wexford Park on Sunday, 1st November at 3.00pm.

Full time: St Mochta's 0-11 Newtown Blues 0-12.

Newtown Blues scorers: Ciarán Downey 0-5 (1tp), Jamie Kelly 0-4 (1tp), Conor Moore 0-1, Conor MacCriosta 0-1, Ross Nally 0-1.

St Mochtas scorers: Declan Byrne 0-5 (3f), Gerry Garland 0-3 (1tp), Ben Goss-Kieran 0-2, Ciarán Byrne 0-1.

Newtown Blues: Ronan Browne; Emmett Carolan, Alan Connor, Ian Connor; Liam Branigan, Daire Nally, Jamie Kelly (0-4, 1tp); Ryan Kelly, Andy McDonnell; Conor MacCriosta (0-1), Ciarán Downey (c) (0-5, 1tp), Conor Branigan; Conor Moore (0-1), Ross Nally (0-1), Ciarán Cluskey-Kelly.

Subs: Ewan Hoban on for Conor Moore (46’), Fergal Donohoe on for Ciarán Cluskey-Kelly (51’)

St Mochtas: Daire O'Shea; Conall Kearns, Ben Goss-Kieran (0-2), Andrew Lennon; Dylan Farrell, Oisín Callan, Conor Garland; Seán Flynn, Darren McMahon (c); Shane Lennon, Declan Byrne (0-5, 3f), Gerry Garland (0-3, 1tp); Jamie Farrell, Ciarán Byrne (0-1), Danny Kindlon.

Subs: Seán Marron on for Darren McMahon (28’), Daniel Craven on for Jamie Farrell (46’), Philip Englishby on for Seán Marron (56’)

Referee: Damien Connor (St Patrick's).