Excitement Builds as Louth GAA Championships Near Thrilling Climax with Feast of Football Across All Grades
Ardee News and Sport — Excitement is building as the Louth GAA Championships approach their climax, with a feast of football set to take place across various grades. The CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Championship final, scheduled for Sunday, October 13, promises to be a thrilling showdown between Hunterstown Rovers and Dundalk Gaels, after both teams came through their semi-finals in contrasting styles.
On Friday evening in Haggardstown, Dundalk Gaels battled Mattock Rangers in a tense and low-scoring affair. Defences dominated the match for most of the 60 minutes, with both sides tied at 0-8 apiece at full-time. As extra-time wore on and tiredness began to take its toll, mistakes crept in, opening the game up. Eight minutes into extra-time, Tom McDonnell rose highest to flick a dropping ball to the net, giving the Gaels a crucial three-point lead, 1-10 to 0-10. The Rangers fought back but ultimately fell short, with Gaels edging them out by a single point, 1-11 to 0-13.
Meanwhile, on Sunday in Stabannon, Hunterstown Rovers adapted superbly to wintery conditions in their semi-final against Sean O’Mahony’s. Playing into the wind in the first half, Rovers controlled possession with sharp passing and disciplined defending, taking a 0-5 to 0-2 lead into the break. They extended that lead to 0-10 to 0-3, and while O’Mahony’s launched a late comeback to reduce the deficit to two points, Hunterstown’s strong start proved decisive, securing a 0-10 to 0-8 victory and booking their place in the final.
Louth GAA Junior Championship
The DkIT Junior Championship also provided drama last weekend, with four quarter-finals taking place. O’Connells powered through to the semi-finals with a 2-19 to 1-10 victory over Naomh Malachi in Darver, thanks to a dominant second-half display. Wolfe Tones, seeking revenge after last year’s semi-final loss to Naomh Fionnbarra, secured their place in the last four for the third year in a row. Trailing 0-7 to 0-5 with 10 minutes left, they scored six unanswered points to eke out a hard-fought win.
John Mitchels pulled off an upset against Division 3A leaders Oliver Plunketts, with a crucial goal from Aaron Keely helping them to a 1-19 to 0-8 win, while Lannléire’s strong second-half performance saw them overcome Annaghminnon, 3-7 to 1-6, in tough conditions. Lannléire will face John Mitchels in the semi-finals on Sunday, October 13, while O’Connells take on Wolfe Tones in the second semi-final on Monday, October 14.
Louth GAA Senior Championship
This weekend, attention turns to the Anchor Travel Senior Championship semi-finals. Reigning champions Ardee St Mary’s, aiming for a third consecutive Joe Ward Cup, face Newtown Blues in a rematch of the 2022 final on Saturday in Haggardstown. The Blues beat St Mary’s in the group stages, but the Ardee side will be determined to turn the tables. On Sunday, Naomh Mairtin will take on St Mochta’s in Dowdallshill, with both teams eager to progress after a tight group stage encounter where Mochta’s clinched a late win.
Louth GAA Ladies Football
The Louth Ladies Football Championship finals are also set for this Sunday in Ardee. Hunterstown Rovers will meet St Bride’s in the Intermediate final at 12 p.m., followed by the Senior final at 2 p.m., where St Patrick’s take on St Kevin’s.
With crucial games ahead across all competitions, the coming weeks promise to deliver unforgettable moments and intense battles as teams across Louth fight for championship glory.