Louth GAA club | Stalemate between Mochtas and Blues as Joe Ward Cup decider ends in draw
St Mochtas 1-15 Newtown Blues 1-15
Declan Byrne landed a two-point free in the closing moments to earn St Mochtas a draw against Newtown Blues in an exciting Louth GAA Anchor Tours Senior Football Championship final at the Integral GAA Grounds, Drogheda, on Sunday afternoon.
The Louth Village side trailed by two points entering the final minute, but Byrne kept his composure to bring the teams level and ensure the Joe Ward Cup would not be decided on the day.
Newtown Blues led by five points early in the second half and looked set to claim their 24th senior title, but Mochtas fought back to force a replay.
Ciarán Byrne opened the scoring for the Villagers five minutes in, before Ross Nally replied for the Blues with a point from outside his right boot.
Mochtas then struck for the game's first goal just after 10 minutes when Gerry Garland finished to the net from close range following a good team move.
However, the Blues responded well as Nally added his second point before Andy McDonnell and Liam Branigan brought the sides level.
Jamie Kelly then converted a free to put the Drogheda men ahead for the first time, and he followed with another point to make it 0-6 to 1-1. Seán Flynn reduced the gap with a fine left-footed point before Declan Byrne levelled from a free.
Conor Branigan restored the Blues' lead, but another Declan Byrne free brought the teams level once again. Mochtas had several opportunities to take the lead before the break but failed to make them count, finishing the half with nine wides.
Half-time: St Mochtas 1-4 Newtown Blues 0-7
The Blues made a strong start to the second half and quickly opened up a five-point lead. Conor Mac Criosta landed an excellent two-pointer before Emmet Carolan scored their goal a minute later.
Liam Branigan's initial effort was saved by Mochtas goalkeeper Daire O'Shea, but Carolan reacted quickest to finish the rebound from close range.
Ben Goss-Kieran replied with a point for Mochtas before Declan Byrne converted a free to reduce the deficit to three. Ross Nally then landed a fine two-pointer for the Blues, but Byrne answered with a two-point free at the other end.
Byrne followed with another point to leave just two between the teams, although Conor Branigan responded to put the Blues three clear again. Jamie Kelly and Nally added further points as the Drogheda side moved five ahead with 10 minutes remaining.
However, Mochtas were not finished as Shane Lennon and Ciaran Byrne kicked successive points to bring the gap back to three before Branigan replied for the Blues. Declan Byrne then converted two close-range frees to leave just two points between the sides.
With normal time almost up, Mochtas were awarded a two-point free following a breach by the Blues. Byrne stepped forward and sent the ball over the bar to level the scores at 1-15 each.
There was still time for one final chance, but Ciaran Downey was unable to find a winner for Newtown Blues. The final whistle left both teams facing another meeting to decide the destination of the Joe Ward Cup.
Mochtas will take encouragement from their late recovery, while the Blues will be disappointed not to have held on after leading for much of the second half. The sides will return to the Integral GAA Grounds next Saturday at 3.30pm for the replay.
Full time: St Mochtas 1-15 Newtown Blues 1-15
St Mochtas scorers: Declan Byrne 0-10 (2tpf, 6f), Gerry Garland 1-0, Ciarán Byrne 0-3, Seán Flynn 0-1, Ben Goss-Kieran 0-1, Shane Lennon 0-1.
St Mochtas: Daire O'Shea; Conall Kearins, Ben Goss-Kieran, Andrew Lennon; Dylan Farrell, Oisin Callan, Conor Garland; Seán Flynn, Darren McMahon (c); Shane Lennon, Declan Byrne, Gerry Garland; Jamie Farrell, Ciarán Byrne, Danny Kindlon.
Subs: Seán Marron on for Darren McMahon (40’), Phillip Englishby on for Jamie Farrell (46’), Daniel Craven on for Conall Kearins (51’), Cormac Smyth on for Danny Kindlon (58’).
Newtown Blues scorers: Ross Nally 0-6 (1tp), Conor Branigan 0-3, Jamie Kelly 0-3 (1f), Conor Mac Criosta 0-2 (1tp), Liam Branigan 0-1, Andy McDonnell 0-1, Emmet Carolan 1-0.
Newtown Blues: Ronan Browne; Emmet Carolan, Alan Connor, Ian Connor; Liam Branigan, Daire Nally, Jamie Kelly; Ryan Kelly, Andy McDonnell; Conor MacCriosta, Ciarán Downey (c), Conor Branigan; Conor Moore, Ross Nally, Ciarán Cluskey-Kelly.
Subs: Brian Kermode on for Ryan Kelly (48’), Colm Judge on for Conor Moore (51’).
Referee: Stephen Johnson (Glen Emmets).