Louth SFC Final: Ardee St Mary's win exciting encounter
Donal McKenny, Ardee St Mary's, and Evan Whelan, Naomh Mairtin, in Louth SFC action at Dowdallshill. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile
Louth SFC Final
Ardee St Mary's 0-15 Naomh Máirtín 1-11
By Dan Bannon at Dowdallshill
Ardee St. Mary’s avenged their 2020 final loss to Naomh Mairtin to retain the Joe Ward cup as the holders dug themselves out of a substantial hole to win by one.
County pair Dáire McConnon and Jonathan Commins did most of the spadework as the back to back champions overcome an early seven point deficit.
With the final in its infancy, the holders were stunned by Monasterboice’s rapid start. County star Sam Mulroy created the goal for Evan Whelan while landing three excellent opening scores to give the underdogs the perfect opening.
However, Commins first of all, held his nerve to respond with four points in a row in a match-defining sequence of eight Ardee scores in succession.
Naomh Mairitin did not score for more than 20 minutes and McConnon in that time unravelled Declan McCoy’s side’s confidence by giving the champions the lead at the break, 0-9 to 1-5.
Mulroy’s determination made the second half a tense affair. Ardee soaked up the pressure and could not pull away from the dogged Monasterboice side, who were without four travelling regulars this season.
Toiling away, Ardee lost both their midfielders and trailed 18 minutes into the second half. Mulroy with a sumptuous brace after Tom Gray found the target.
Having fallen behind once again, Cathal Murray’s side found an extra gear. McConnon and Commins landed their final scores with 10 minutes remaining.
Known for their attacking flair, ironically Ardee had to doggedly defend and get themselves across the line. Mulroy narrowed the gap, but missed an agonising free to equalise.
Captain Kian Moran raised the cup to the delight of his Ardee supporters, who also celebrated winning the minor title on the day.
Scorers for Ardee St Mary’s: Jonathan Commins 0-6 (3f); Daire McConnon 0-5, Ciarán Keenan, Tiernan Corrigan, Carl Gillespie and Sean Callaghan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Naomh Mairtin: Sam Mulroy 0-8 (3f, 1m, 1’45), Evan Whelan 1-0, Stephen Campbell, Conor Whelan and Tom Gray 0-1 each,
Ardee St Mary’s: James McGillick; Paraic McKenny, Donal McKenny, Tiernan Corrigan; Kian Moran, Eimhin Keenan, Carl Gillespie; Sean Callaghan, Robbie Leavy; Ciaran Keenan, Liam Jackson, Jonathan Commins; Ryan Rooney, Daire McConnon, Tom Jackson.
Subs: Conor Gillespie for R Leavy (37), Ronan Carroll for S Callaghan (54), Tadhg McDonnell for Carl Gillespie (60+3).
Naomh Mairtin: Craig Lynch; Tadhg O’Brien, Thomas Sullivan, Shane Morgan; Seán Healy, Evan Whelan, Conor Healy; Wayne Campbell, Jack Murphy; Tom Gray, Sam Mulroy, Cian Sands; Conor Whelan, Val Leddy, Stephen Campbell.
Subs: Darragh Dorian for C Sands (37), Ben Callanan for S Campbell (58), Mick Fanning for S Morgan (58), Jack Lynch for C Whelan (60), Conor Smith for T O’Brien (60).
Referee: Colm McCullough.
