Louth GAA Round Up | Division 3A

John O’Neill Sand & Gravel Louth Division 3A League

Naomh Fionnbarra 1-6 Oliver Plunketts 1-13

Oliver Plunketts will travel to John Mitchels for their final game of the season knowing that victory will secure the Division 3A title.

Following their 1-13 to 1-6 win over Nh Fionnbarra, the Drogheda side remain one point clear of O’Connells at the top of the table.

The Plunketts made the trip to Ballygassan knowing that they couldn’t afford to drop any points and in the end they produced a solid display to ensure they came out on top.

Sean Callaghan scored his side’s goal in the first half to help the visitors create a 1-5 to 1-2 cushion at the break. Cormac McArdle found the net for the Barrs to keep the game very much alive.

However, the Plunketts were always able to keep their opponents at arm’s length with Luke Haggans contributing a vital five-point haul. Kristian Nolan, Stephen Keeley and Niall Murtagh also added scores to keep their side on top.

The Finbarrs battled to the end on a night when Ciaran Murphy and Jack Murtagh were among the points, but it wasn’t enough to deny the visitors a vital win.

Glyde Rangers 1-4 O'Connells 0-8

That result means that O’Connells’ fate is out of their own hands but they will be hoping to take advantage of any slip-up from the Plunketts when they host Na Piarsaigh on Saturday in their final outing.

O’Connells secured second place in the 3A league with a 0-8 to 1-4 victory over Glyde in Tallanstown on Wednesday evening but were made fight all the way to the final whistle.

The visitors started better and were two points up after five minutes, both scores from Niall Conlon. But a couple of minutes later after a poor kickout Glyde got the only goal of the game when Conor McCullough found Sean Devaney and he shot to the corner of the net.

The sides were level a minute later when Evan Kearney put over a free. Points from Ciaran Sheridan and Oran Matthews put the home side two in front after 20 minutes. Robert Quigley got on the scoresheet with a point to leave one between the teams and right on the stroke of half time a Conlon free made 1-2 to 0-5.

The Bellingham side were out of the blocks quicker at the start of the second half and two points from Quigley and another from Conlon saw them take a three point lead after 36 minutes. But they were to be the visitors’ only scores of the second half.

The rest of the game was a case of missed chances and keep ball. Aaron Devlin reduced the lead to two points and with five minutes to go Ciaran Sheridan pointed to leave one between the teams. The home side had a chance to level the game from a free right on full time but the kick sailed narrowly wide.

Na Piarsaigh 0-18 John Mitchels 3-7

Na Piarsaigh gave themselves a huge boost in the battle for survival as they moved three points clear of the Finbarrs at the foot of the table with a 0-18 to 3-7 win over John Mitchels at the Rock Road. The result also moves the Dundalk men to within two points of Glyde Rangers with one game to play.

The hosts produced one of their best displays of the campaign and found their scoring form just when it was needed. Robert Murphy, Jonathan Deeney and Jamie Fealy all finished with four points to their credit, while Tommy Muckian, James Mahony and Ciaran Murphy were also on target.

Ten of their points came in the opening half but a lot of that good work was undone by conceding two goals to Aaron Keeley as the Mitchels cut the gap to 0-10 to 2-2.

However, Na Piarsaigh maintained their scoring touch in the second half to ensure they got over the line despite the visitors adding a third goal through Andrew Bingham.

John O’Neill Sand & Gravel Louth Division 3A League Table

John O’Neill Sand & Gravel Louth Division 3A League Fixtures

Saturday, 10th August – Round 15

Naomh Fionnbarra vs. Glyde Rangers – John Markey Park – 7pm

O'Connells vs. Na Piarsaigh – The Grove Field – 7pm

John Mirchels vs. Oliver Plunketts – Páirc Seán Misteal – 7pm