Anchor Tours Louth SFC Final replay

Newtown Blues 0-12
 St. Mochta’s 0-11

By Dan Bannon

With the replay’s last kick, Ciaran Downey fired over the winner to secure the Newtown Blues 24th Louth Senior final. The all-star nominee showed ultimate composure to break St. Mochta’s hearts.

The Louth villagers looked to have their maiden Joe Ward Cup in their grasp in additional time with a three point lead.

Jaime Kelly raised the first of two orange flags in that dramatic period to send the nerves jangling. Downey with the second moments later ensured that he himself as captain would lift the Joe Ward Cup.

LIke all final replays, the opening was tense, both sides knew each other so well and neither made a change to the starting fifteens.

Also, the stormy conditions did not help matters but it also did not take away the entertainment factor either.

Downey was quiet the last day and he was in determined mood from the off with three first half points. Declan Byrne on the Mochta’s in contrast was continuing on his strong form as the sides went in level 0-6 each at the break.

The sides were tied four times in the opening half, Gerry Garland’s two pointer was stunning and it allowed his side to believe.

Against the wind in the second half, Mochta’s revelled in the conditions. Battling and running the ball up the field, they were playing really well. Garland and Ben Goss Kieran added to their tallies as the underdogs were making a match winning tilt.

Blues were struggling in front of the posts but Ross Nally persevered to strike the upright and keep his side in touch. Down the stretch, Mochta’s were playing like their lives depended on it.

Kevin McGlorey’s side had built up a three point gap but a cruel twist of quality was to come.

Downey would not be denied as he marched up to collect the cup for the last time outside of the new stadium in Dundalk, which will be open next year.

Ian Connor interestingly picked up his second senior title this season after success with the St. Fechin’s hurlers.

Scorers for Newtown Blues: Ciaran Downey 0-5 (1tp), Jamie Kelly 0-4 (1tp), Ross Nally, Conor MacCriosta and Conor Moore 0-1 each.

Scorers for St. Mochta’s: Declan Byrne 0-5 (3f), Gerry Garland 0-3 (1tp), Ben Goss Kieran 0-2, Ciaran Byrne 0-1.

St. Mochta’s: Daire O’Shea; Dylan Farrell, Conall Kearns, Andrew Lennon; Ben Goss Kieran, Oisin Callan, Conor Garland; Declan Byrne, Sean Flynn; Shane Lennon, Darren McMahon, Gerry Garland; Jamie Farrell, Ciaran Byrne, Danny Kindlon. Subs: Sean Marron for McMahon (28), Daniel Craven for J Farrell (46), Philip Englishby for Marron (57).

Newtown Blues: Ronan Browne; Ian Connor, Ciaran Cluskey Kelly, Emmett Carolan; Liam Branigan, Daire Nally, Alan Connor; Ryan Kelly, Conor Branigan; Jamie Kelly, Conor MacCriosta, Andy McDonnell; Conor Moore, Ross Nally, Ciaran Downey. Subs: Ewan Hoban for Moore (47), Fergal Donohoe for Cluskey Kelly (51).

Referee: Damien Connor (St. Patrick’s)