Inside Track: The other St Mochta’s won the title in 1914

The records show that a St Mochta’s side succeeded in the competition’s 1914 renewal, beating Drogheda Stars 1-4 to 0-1 in the final.

This St Mochta’s hailed from Ardee, however, and included in their line-up was Eoin Markey, a member of Louth’s 1912 All-Ireland-winning team and one of the best to emerge from the Mid-Louth town in the early days of the association.

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Stabannon Parnells were first winners of the Joe Ward Cup, their success coming with a defeat of their keen rivals, St Mary’s in the 1949 final.

There’s no record of a trophy having been presented to the winners prior to that. Photographs of pre-’49 winning teams show the captain seated in the front row with only a football.

Most of these were taken long after final day, when, if there had been a trophy, it would have been on show.

This is hard to fathom since the Cardinal O’Donnell Cup was first presented to the league winners for some years before that. Wolfe Tones were the first winners, in 1926.

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Six teams have brought up the hat-trick of wins. Drogheda Independents were the first (1900-’02), followed Drogheda Stars (1917-’19), Wolfe Tones (1925-’27) and Newtown Blues (1961-’63). Then it was Cooley Kickhams (1976-’78), and most recently, St Mary’s (2022-’24).

Newtown Blues had in fact four wins in-a-row in the first part of the 1960s.

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St Mochta’s would become the 34th team to win the title if successful on Sunday. Of the others, 13 are no longer in existence, including eight that had a Drogheda base, Boyne Rangers, Independents, Naomh Mhuire, Tredaghs, Stars, Davitts, Boyne Rovers, Emmets.

Dundalk winners to fall by the wayside were Rangers, O’Rahilly’s and Sarsfields, the latter an Army team drawn from what is now known as Aiken Barracks. Ardee has lost the aforementioned St Mochta’s and Volunteers.

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Seven players have been presented with the Joe Ward Cup more than once. Paddy Markey (St Mary’s) was the first in 1955 and ’56, and then came St Fechin’s Tommy Mulry (1983, ’84), followed by Peter Fitzpatrick (Clan Gael) in 1987 and 1992.

Colm Nally led out the Blues in 2000 and again the following year, and Colin Goss (St Patrick’s) also did it back-to-back, in 2011 and ’12.

Goss’s St Pat’s colleague, Paddy Keenan, had the honour for the first time in 2007 and again in 2015, while a long-time county colleague of his, Andy McDonnell, was on the podium in 2017 and ’18 after Blues’ wins.

McDonnell will be in action on Sunday next, playing alongside Colm Nally’s two sons, Daire and Ross. In opposition will be Colin Goss’s son, Ben Goss-Kieran.

Three Leech brothers, Liam, Paddy and Mickey, captained winning Blues teams.

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Newtown Blues have won the title 23 times. St Mary’s are in second place on the honours list with (unlucky?) 13. Young Irelands come next with 11, and after that, Cooley Kickhams on 9.

Then it’s Clan na Gael 8, St Patrick’s 7, Stabannon Parnells, Wolfe Tones, Boyne Rangers 6, Geraldines 5, Tredaghs, Mattock Rangers 4, Dundalk Gaels, Drogheda Independents, Drogheda Stars, Naomh Mairtín 3, Roche Emmets, St Fechin’s, St Joseph’s, Dundalk Rangers 2.

One-time winners: Drogheda Davitts, Drogheda Emmets, Ardee Volunteers, Glyde Rangers, St Bride’s, Naomh Mhuire, Oliver Plunkets, Ardee St Mochta’s, Boyne Rovers, O’Rahilly’s, Sarsfields, Dundalk O’Rahilly’s, Seán O’Mahony’s.

Winners in Louth’s All-Ireland-winning years were Drogheda clubs, Tredaghs (1910 and ’12) and Oliver Plunkets (1957).

Plunkets caused a huge surprise, beating a St Mary’s side which included six of the county panel, and was seeking a third successive title.

Former County Board chairman, Terry Maher, was in goals for Plunkets, and outfield were two other All-Ireland medal winners, Peadar Smith and Jackie Reynolds.

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No winners of the Joe Ward have gone on to win the Leinster club championship. Four have contested the final, Cooley Kickhams on two occasions, 1973 and ’76.

Newtown Blues were in the first final, in 1971, when beaten by Offaly’s Gracefield, and as a follow-up to the first of their Louth wins, Mattock Rangers made the 2002 decider.

St Mary’s were narrowly beaten by the Dublin champions, Cuala, two years ago.