Ardee St. Mary's 2-02 Naomh Mairtin 0-04
Ardee St. Mary's made history in McGeough Park in Haggardstown by becoming the fourth team in Louth to win three senior titles in a row.
The four-point victory was hard earned against a dogged Naomh Mairtin side in a repeat of last years final. Ardee were denied the feat in 1957, but they now join Cooley Kickhams Wolfe Tones and Newtown Blues who did it two occasions in the pantheon of great Louth teams in history.
Ironically, luck plays a huge part in this runs and an early goal from Kian Moran was fortunate in it’s nature. Sure, Moran took a stab from distance with the gale at his back in the opening half but the ball dipped rapidly and under the Mairtin’s cross bar.
The blustery conditions may have cause the confusion for county goalkeeper Craig Lynch but the deceived shot was crucial with the scores so limited due to the conditions. That allowed Ardee to breath and control the game on their terms with the lead. They would kick seven wides so the advantages wasn’t as it seemed.
At the other end of the field, Naomh Mairtin were tirelessly trying to run the ball but got very little change out of the McKenny brothers, Pa and Donal. Rangy inside-forward Val Leddy did point from an excellent mark but with all-star nominee Sam Mulroy tied up by fellow nominee Donal McKenny, it would come down to a nervy second half. That particular match up that has never happened in Louth football before either, two all-star nominees.
With both those strikes the only scores of the first half Ardee led 1-00 to 0-01.The search for the lowest scoring final would occur during the break but Jonathan Commins found the target early from a free to cancel out the Monasterboice’s sides score of the entire first half in minutes.
Mulroy would have his moment, nailing two long range frees to bring a point between the sides, he did miss a chance to level but Ardee were soon in the driving seat.
Tadhg McDonnell and Tom Jackson combined for a huge turnover and set up the on rushing Dáire McConnon to punish. That late strike would be the final score of the final.The finale got tetchy in the finish, with Mulroy, Commins and John Clutterbuck all receiving their marching orders. Ardee history makers and worthy champions.
Ardee St. Mary's: Tiernan Markey; Pa McKenny, Karl Faulkner, Tadhg McDonnell; Kian Moran 1-00, Donal McKenny, Éimhin Keenan; RJ Callaghan, Liam Jackson; Jonathan Commins 0-02 (0-02f), Ciarán Keenan, Shane Matthews, Tom Jackson; Ronan Carroll, Daire McConnon 1-00. SUBS: Seán Callaghan for Carroll (ht), Ryan Rooney for Matthews (47), Robbie Leavy for RJ Callaghan (56),
Naomh Mairtin: Craig Lynch; Conor Morgan, Thomas Sullivan, Eoghan Callaghan; Adam Booth, Conor Healy, Evan Whelan; Dara McDonnell, John Clutterbuck; Seán Healy, Sam Mulroy 0-02 (0-02f), Stephen Campbell; Bryan McQuillan, Val Leddy0-02 (0-01m), Tom Gray. SUBS: Darragh Dorian for McQuillan (37), Conor Whelan for Campbell (43), Mick Fanning for E Whelan (61), Conor Smyth for Booth (61).
Referee: Cathal Halpenny (Stabannon Parnells)
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