Louth GAA club | St Mary’s defeat Fechins to secure place in SFC semi-final
St Mary’s 0-21 St Fechins 0-15
St Mary’s overcame a talented St Fechins side to book their place in the Louth GAA Anchor Tours Senior Football Championship semi-final at McGeough Park, Haggardstown on Saturday night.
The Ardee side, led by four at the break and eventually pulled clear in the closing stages to secure a six-point victory, but they were made to work for it by a Fechins side who twice reduced the deficit to two points during the second half.
St Fechins made the perfect start when Louth goalkeeper Niall McDonnell converted a two-point free after just two minutes.
Jonathan Commins responded immediately with a two-pointer of his own before adding another point to put St Mary’s ahead.
Ciarán Keenan then struck twice in quick succession before Seán Callaghan, Luke Keenan and captain Daire McConnon all found the target as St Mary’s took control. That scoring burst left the Ardee men six points ahead with just under a quarter of an hour played.
Ryan Walsh ended the run with a point for Fechins before Commins replied from out wide. Walsh then converted a free and followed with another point, while Harry Haughney also found the target as Fechins reduced the deficit.
CiaránKeenan had the final say of the half when his effort struck the crossbar and went over to send St Mary’s in with a four-point lead.
Half time: St. Mary’s 0-10 St. Fechins 0-6
Fechins came out strongly after the restart when Haughney landed his second point before McDonnell converted a 45 to leave just two points between the teams.
McConnon settled St Mary’s with a point before Commins produced one of the scores of the night and landed an excellent two-pointer. He followed that with another fine effort after Fechins lost possession, pushing the Ardee advantage out to six.
Fechins weren't finished as Walsh struck a two-pointer and then converted a two-point free four minutes later to cut the gap to two points.
McConnon responded with an excellent left-footed point before Luke Keenan fisted over following a well-worked St Mary’s move. Walsh kept the pressure on with another two-point free to again reduce the margin to two points.
But St Mary’s produced the stronger finish as Commins converted a free before McConnon fisted over to give Fergal Reel’s side some breathing room.
Substitute Adam Gillespie then made a contribution with a point, while Commins brought his personal tally to 0-9 with another score in the last minute.
Walsh converted a late free for Fechins, but Gillespie had the final say when he landed a free in stoppage time.
That completed victory for St Mary’s, with Commins, McConnon and Gillespie helping the Ardee men through to the SFC semi-final with important scores.
Full-time: St Mary’s 0-21 St Fechins 0-15
St Mary’s scorers: Jonathan Commins 0-9 (2tp, 1f), Daire McConnon 0-4, Ciarán Keenan 0-3, Luke Keenan 0-2, Adam Gillespie 0-2 (1f), Seán Callaghan 0-1.
St Mary’s: Tiernan Markey; Eimhin Keenan, Donal McKenny, Paraic McKenny; Flynn Markey, Keelin Martin, Tadhg McDonnell; Liam Jackson, Seán Callaghan; Carl Gillespie, Tom Jackson, Jonathan Commins; Ciarán Keenan, Daire McConnon (c), Luke Keenan.
Subs: Kian Moran on for Flynn Markey (53’), Adam Gillespie on for Luke Keenan (53’), Shane Matthews on for Carl Gillespie (58’), Fionn Coyle on for Tadhg McDonnell (60’).
St Fechins scorers: Ryan Walsh 0-10 (1tp, 2tpf, 2f), Niall McDonnell 0-3 (1tpf, 1 45), Harry Haughney 0-2.
St Fechins: Niall McDonnell; Rob McCarthy, Ciarán McGinty, Jamie McDonnell; Paddy Keane, Colm O’Neill, Michael McGlew; Colm Hackett, Harry Haughney; John O’Connell, Paul Mathews, Aaron McGlew; James McGlew, Ryan Walsh, Ronan Holcroft.
Subs: Evan Dolan on for Jamie McDonnell (40’), Evan McCluskey on for Colm O’Neill (52’), Garbhan O’Reilly on for Danny Burnell (55’).
Referee: David Fedigan (Hunterstown Rovers).