Louth SFC Final: Replay required following draw

Louth SFC Final

St Mochta's 1-15 Newtown Blues 1-15

By Dan Bannon at the Integral Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda

Both sides will have to come back to the same venue again next Saturday as St. Mochta’s Declan Byrne levelled the final against Newtown Blues in the Gaelic Grounds.

With a breach called, Byrne marched outside the arc with the instruction of his management to dramatically level the 127th Louth senior decider.

It was Byrne’s 10th point of the day, his accuracy and nerve crucial, not just in that moment but throughout the second half to keep his side in touch.

Blues will be kicking themselves, they even had a chance to win the final with a Ciaran Downey free at the very end. The effort from a long distance out dipped short and a replay was quickly called on the tannoy.

The neutrals will not complain as it was a thriller, but Johnny Clerkin side were in control for majority of the showpiece. They could not hold on as the Louth Village side swayed with momentum in the finish to close a four point deficit.

Five unanswered points was the kingpins response to an 11th minute goal from Mochta’s wingback Gerry Garland. That showing was classy, with former county player Ross Nally and star Andy McDonnell getting in on the act.

The sides were level four times in the opening half and Byrne would do what he did in the finish to equalise before half time in their second ever final.

A championship winning quarter from the Louth kingpins Blues looked to have pushed them to their remarkable 24th title. Emmett Carolan finished a rebound to the net after county colleague fired over an orange flag.

That would be the five point gap both sides would toy with for the remainder of the half. Nally and the effective Conor Branigan kept nudging anything the Mochta’s could throw at them.

Momentum would come the Mochta’s way in the finish, and Byrne was the right man to guide them. An even bigger crowd to the replay will be expected after this one.

Scorers for Newtown Blues: Ross Nally 0-5 (1tp), Emmett Carolan 1-0, Jamie Kelly (1f) and Conor Branigan 0-3 each, Conor MacCriosta 0-2 (1tp), Andy McDonnell and Liam Branigan 0-1 each

Scorers for St Mochta’s: Declan Byrne 0-10 (6f, 2tpf), Gerry Garland 1-0, Ciaran Byrne 0-2, Sean Flynn, Ben Goss Kierans and Shane Lennon 0-1 each.

Newtown Blues: Ronan Browne: Alan Connor, Ciaran Cluskey Kelly, Ian Connor; Liam Branigan, Emmett Carolan, Conor Branigan; Ryan Kelly, Conor MacCriosta; Jamie Kelly, Daire Nally, Ciaran Downey, Andy McDonnell; Ross Nally, Conor Moore.

Subs: Brian Kermode for R Kelly (48), Colm Judge for Moore (52).

St Mochta’s: Daire O’Shea; Conor Garland, Andrew Lennon, Connell Kearins, Ben Goss Kieran, Oisin Callan, Gerry Garland; Sean Flynn , Declan Byrne; Darren McMahon; Dylan Farrell, Jamie Farrell; Danny Kindlon, Ciaran Byrne, Shane Lennon.

Subs: Sean Marron for McMahon (41), Philly Englishby for J Farrell (47), Daniel Craven for Kearins (52), Cormac Smyth for Kindlon (59).

Referee: Stephen Johnson (Glen Emmets).