Louth SFC Final

Naomh Máirtin 1-18 Newtown Blues 1-11

By Dan Bannon at Integral GAA Grounds, Drogheda

Having lost two county finals in a row against Newtown Blues in Drogheda, Naomh Mairtin buried their demons six seasons on, at the same venue, to capture their historic third ever senior championship.

The win was composed and it was fully deserved. All over the field the Monasterboice outfit were not going to be defeated. Having played in six of the last seven county finals, the Mairtin’s used all that nous to get over the line.

Talisman Sam Mulroy led from the front with an opening half penalty and second half orange flag that sent them on their way.

The key to county final day success was their aerial dominance. County midfielder Dara McDonnell excelled in the skies alongside Wayne Campbell and Adam Booth. Goalkeeper Darren Morgan had the easiest job of the day kicking it out to them.

Top of the roll of honours list for a reason, Newtown Blues did have their moments, county star Andy McDonnell gave them an early three point lead and Ciaran Downey and Fergal Donohoe did have goal chances but did not take them.

Eoin McCoy in his debut season landed a brace, but Naomh Mairtin’s purple patch was about to come. McDonnell and the excellent Tom Gray landed scores in an unanswered 1-4 run.

Mulroy slipped as he shot for point and it was gathered by Sean Healy who was then fouled for a 23rd minute penalty. Mulroy stepped up and even at that stage it looked a long way back for the Drogheda men.

Leading 1-8 to 0-6 at the half, against the wind, signs looked ominous for Mattie Rice’s men. That giddiness was tempered slightly when Conor Moore pounced for a goal to make it a four point game.

Inspired by Mulroy’s earlier orange flag, Daragh Dorian lofted a two pointer in response to the goal. Mulroy kicked a superb ’45 too in that period that allowed the ‘Jocks’ to soak up three Downey points in a row.

With the Drogheda men pushing for goal, Naomh Mairtin picked them off, using all that build up pain to banish the demons of the past. Eoghan Callaghan kicked over his side’s final score, before lifting the Joe Ward cup.

Scorers for Naomh Mairtin: Sam Mulroy 1-4 (1-0pen, 1tp, 1’45), Tom Gray 0-4, Darragh Dorian 0-3 (1tp), Jack Murphy 0-2 (1tp), Dara McDonnell, 0-2, Eoghan Callaghan 0-2, Wayne Campbell, 0-1 each.

Scorers for Newtown Blues: Ciaran Downey 0-5 (1f) Eoin McCoy 0-2, Conor Branigan 0-2 (1tp), Andy McDonnell and Jamie Kelly (f) 0-1 each.

Naomh Mairtin: Darren Morgan; Cian Sands, Thomas Sullivan, Conor Healy; Evan Whelan, Eoghan Callaghan, Jack Murphy; Adam Booth, Dara McDonnell; Wayne Campbell, Sam Mulroy, Sean Healy; Tom Gray, Val Leddy, Darragh Dorian.

Subs: Joe McGrane for Campbell (50), Craig Callanan for Leddy (58).

Newtown Blues: Johnny McDonnell; Alan Connor, Ciaran Cluskey Kelly, Daire Nally; Fergal Donohoe, Emmet Carolan, Andy McDonnell; Brian Kermode, Ryan Kelly; Conor Branigan, Ciaran Downey, Conor MacCriosta; Jamie Kelly, Conor Moore , Eoin McCoy.

Subs: Niall Devlin for Donohoe (ht), Colm Judge for Moore (49), Iollan Farrell for Kermode (50), Ross Nally for MacCriosta (58), Aidan O’Brien for McCoy (58)

Referee: Ultan McElroy (Kilkerley Emmets).