Louth GAA 2025 Football Championship Draws Serve Up Exciting Clashes
Ardee News and Sport – Louth GAA 2025 Football Championship Draws Serve Up Exciting Clashes
The eagerly awaited draws for the 2025 Louth Senior, Intermediate, and Junior Football Championships have set up some fascinating encounters as clubs prepare for another thrilling season of Gaelic football action.
Senior Championship – Joe Ward Cup
Defending champions Ardee St Mary’s, chasing a historic four-in-a-row, have been placed in Group Three alongside Geraldines and St Fechins. The Geraldines found themselves in last year’s ‘group of death’ and narrowly avoided relegation, while St Fechins battled in the relegation final, making this a potentially tough test for the reigning champions.
Newtown Blues, the only team to defeat Ardee St Mary’s in last year’s group stages but who fell short in the semi-finals, have landed in Group Four with Naomh Mairtin and St Joseph’s. Naomh Mairtin, winners in 2020 and 2021, have been runners-up for the past two seasons and will be aiming to return to the summit.
Elsewhere, Dundalk Gaels, newly promoted to the senior ranks after winning last year’s Intermediate Championship, are in Group One with Roche Emmets and Cooley Kickhams. Gaels manager Kevin McKernan acknowledged the challenge ahead but welcomed the opportunity to test his side against established senior clubs.
Louth Senior Football Championship Groups:
• Group One: Dundalk Gaels, Roche Emmets, Cooley Kickhams.
• Group Two: St Mochtas, Dreadnots, St Patricks.
• Group Three: Geraldines, St Fechins, Ardee St Mary’s.
• Group Four: Naomh Mairtin, St Joseph’s, Newtown Blues.
Intermediate Championship – Seamus Flood Cup
The Intermediate Championship draw has also produced a challenging set of fixtures, particularly for 2024 Junior champions Wolfe Tones, who face a tough baptism in Group Four alongside Sean O’Mahonys and Hunterstown Rovers—both of whom were in last season’s Intermediate semi-finals.
Sean O’Mahonys manager Ciaran Sharkey admitted that his team is eager to prove they have learned from last year’s semi-final loss to Hunterstown, stating, “We know exactly what’s coming, and we’ll be ready for it.”
Louth Intermediate Football Championship Groups:
• Group One: St Kevins, Dundalk Young Irelands, Glen Emmets.
• Group Two: O Raghallaighs, St Brides, Stabannon Parnells.
• Group Three: Clan na Gael, Kilkerley Emmets, Mattock Rangers.
• Group Four: Sean O’Mahonys, Wolfe Tones, Hunterstown Rovers.
Junior Championship – Christy Bellew Cup
In the Junior Championship, 2024 semi-finalists Naomh Fionnbarra have been drawn in Group Three alongside Cuchulainn Gaels, Naomh Piarsaigh-Blackrock, and Lannléire. Meanwhile, Group Four looks particularly competitive, with Glyde Rangers, Naomh Malachi, St Nicholas, and Westerns all vying for a strong start to their campaigns.
Louth Junior Football Championship Groups:
• Group One: John Mitchels, Dowdallshill, Sean McDermotts.
• Group Two: Annaghminnon Rovers, O’Connells, Oliver Plunketts.
• Group Three: Cuchulainn Gaels, Naomh Piarsaigh-Blackrock, Lannléire, Naomh Fionnbarra.
• Group Four: Glyde Rangers, Naomh Malachi, St Nicholas, Westerns.
Louth Senior Hurling Championship 2025
• Teams: St Fechins, Naomh Monnine, Knockbridge HC.
With the championship groups now set, teams across Louth will be stepping up their preparations as they gear up for an intense and competitive season.
