Ardee St. Mary’s Secure Historic Three-in-a-Row with Hard-Fought Victory Over Naomh Mairtin
Ardee News and Sport – Ardee St. Mary’s etched their name in the annals of Louth GAA history yesterday with a determined 2-02 to 0-04 win over Naomh Mairtin in the Louth Senior Football Championship Final at McGeough Park, Haggardstown. The victory marks Ardee’s third consecutive senior title, a feat achieved by only three other teams—Cooley Kickhams, Wolfe Tones, and Newtown Blues—cementing their place among the greats of Louth football.
The four-point triumph came in a rematch of last year’s final, and this time, Ardee were not to be denied, unlike in 1957 when they fell short. An early stroke of luck in the form of a long-range effort by Kian Moran, which dipped under the crossbar, set the tone for a hard-earned victory. The goal, aided by windy conditions, put Naomh Mairtin’s goalkeeper Craig Lynch on the back foot and gave Ardee an early cushion in a low-scoring affair.
Naomh Mairtin, despite their tireless efforts to break through the disciplined McKenny brothers, Pa and Donal, could only manage 0-01 in the first half. With all-star nominee Sam Mulroy tightly marked by his fellow nominee Donal McKenny, the contest was a tense and physical battle. Mulroy’s two second-half frees reduced the deficit to just one point, but a late goal from Dáire McConnon, following a crucial turnover by Tadhg McDonnell and Tom Jackson, sealed the win for Ardee.
The final moments saw tempers flare, with Mulroy, Jonathan Commins, and John Clutterbuck all sent off, but Ardee held firm to claim a historic three-in-a-row and the coveted Joe Ward Cup.
As Ardee bask in their victory, attention will soon turn to their upcoming Leinster Championship campaign, where they will host the Longford champions in the first round at Pairc Mhuire on November 3rd.
Teams:
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 (0-02f), Ciarán Keenan, Shane Matthews, Tom Jackson; Ronan Carroll, Dáire 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 (0-02f), Stephen Campbell; Bryan McQuillan, Val Leddy (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 Sweeney (Stabannon Parnells).
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Focus Shifts to Leinster Championship
The Joe Ward Cup will remain in Ardee for the winter after Ardee St. Mary’s claimed their third consecutive Louth Senior Football Championship (SFC) title, defeating Naomh Mairtin in a hard-fought final. The victory cements their place in the upper echelons of Louth GAA, as they become only the fourth club to achieve the illustrious three-in-a-row.
The next few days are sure to be filled with celebration for the team, but soon thoughts will turn to the Leinster Championship. St. Mary’s will face the Longford champions at DEFY Pairc Mhuire on Sunday, November 3rd. Their opponents are yet to be determined, but Ardee will be aiming to go one step further in the provincial competition after last year’s journey, which saw them overcome Blessington before falling to Kilmacud Crokes in the quarter-finals. This year, Crokes won’t be standing in their way, as they were knocked out in the Dublin final by first-time winners, Cuala.
Elsewhere in Louth GAA, Dundalk Gaels will also be representing the county in Leinster. Following a hard-earned replay victory over Hunterstown in the Louth championship, they will now face Dublin champions Naomh Mearnóg in two weeks. The Portmarnock side recently claimed the Dublin crown by overcoming Clan na Gael Fontenoy.
Before their provincial run begins, however, Dundalk Gaels still have some unfinished business in the Louth Division 2 League. They will take on Stabannon next Sunday, needing a result to guarantee their safety in the division.
In junior action, Louth’s representatives will play their Leinster quarter-final on Saturday, November 9th, away to either Ballon of Carlow or Ballinagar of Offaly. The identity of the junior champions will be determined this weekend, with Wolfe Tones and John Mitchels squaring off in the Louth Junior Final in Dunleer.
It promises to be an exciting few weeks for Louth football, with county champions Ardee St. Mary’s, Dundalk Gaels, and the Junior champions all set to test themselves on the provincial stage.