Cathal Murray Aims for Historic Three-in-a-Row with Ardee St Mary’s in Joe Ward Cup Final
Ardee News and Sport – In his third year as manager of Ardee St Mary’s, Cathal Murray is on the verge of leading his team to an elusive three-in-a-row in the Joe Ward Cup final. As the former Down player prepares his side for the upcoming showdown, balancing his commitments as head of the PE department at St Colman’s College in Newry, family life, and football remains a daily juggling act. Yet, his dedication to the team and the game remains unwavering.
We caught up with Murray before the school bell rang at 8:30am, following Ardee St Mary’s semi-final victory over Newtown Blues. Reflecting on the performance, Murray acknowledged the slow start that has characterized many games this season:
“It’s not just us. Most games seem to come to life only in the second half. Teams are feeling each other out early on,” he explained. “In the semi-final, we weren’t happy going into the interval. We had the breeze, we were composed, but we could have gone harder, earlier, and been more direct.”
Murray credits the game-changing moments in the second half, especially after Liam Jackson’s penalty, for their eventual dominance. “Sean [Callaghan] and Tadgh [McDonnell] coming in at half-time gave us more going forward, and we started to get a grip in the middle of the field. The players weren’t happy with the number of turnovers and mistakes, and it was only when we threw the shackles off that things clicked into place.”
He also noted key adjustments in the second half: “Liam really tightened up on Andy McDonnell, Johnny Cummins went on to Connor Brannigan, and Sean coming into the middle gave us a different dynamic.”
Looking back on the championship run, Murray acknowledges the difficulties posed by injuries. “Getting our strongest and best-balanced team on the field has been a challenge,” he said, with a squad of 45 players to manage throughout the season. Balancing this depth, particularly with players who contributed in the league but missed out when county players returned, has been a test. “You really feel for the lads who have put in the work, but aren’t making the 30 when others come back from injury or county duty.”
Despite the pressure of chasing a historic third consecutive county title, Murray insists the drive comes from the players. “There’s no pressure from expectations. This is player-driven. You have to play well, and with good performances come wins, and with wins, you progress. People don’t see the work behind the scenes – the strength and conditioning, video analysis, and lifestyle changes. That’s massive, and it’s coming from the players who are hungry for success.”
As Ardee St Mary’s prepares to face Naomh Máirtin in the final, Murray is acutely aware of the challenge ahead. “We know each other so well. Their consistency is impressive – six out of seven finals – and their returning players like John Clutterbuck and Eoghan Callahan have made a difference.”
Reflecting on the group-stage loss to Newtown Blues, Murray admitted it was a wake-up call. “We took our eye off the ball. We had played six weekends in-a-row, maybe some thought we would just coast through. But the Blues were hungrier that day, and they deserved to beat us. After that, we knew something had to change.”
With the final just around the corner, Murray remains focused on delivering for his players and the Ardee community. “It’s not about me or the management. It’s about the players and the community. The club is thriving, the underage structures are strong, and the facilities are fantastic. The challenge is to keep raising the standards, and that’s what we’re focused on.”
As Ardee St Mary’s prepare for their third consecutive Joe Ward Cup final, the team and their supporters are eager to make history and claim the coveted three-in-a-row.