Ardee confirm their Louth supremacy with gripping victory 

Tense decider crescendoed with county star Sam Mulroy agonisingly missing a late free to consign Naomh Mairtin to their third final loss in six seasons

BLUE MOON: Ardee St Mary's captain Dáire McConnon and Tadhg McDonnell lift the Joe Ward Cup after the Louth County Senior Club Football Championship final between Ardee St Mary's and Naomh Mairtin at Pairc Naomh Bríd in Dowdallshill, Louth. Pic: Stephen Marken/Sportsfile

Louth SFC final: Ardee St Mary’s 0-15 Naomh Mairtin 1-11 

Having waited 27 years to win a Louth Senior title last season, Ardee St. Mary’s made it two in a row with a one point win over Naomh Mairtin at the splendid St. Brigid’s Park in Dowdallshill.

The second half was ultra tense and crescendoed into county star Sam Mulroy agonisingly missing a late free to consign the Monasterboice outfit to their third final loss in six seasons.

In retaining their title, Ardee had to spread the word of calm amongst teammates at a very early juncture. With the showpiece 12 minutes old, they trailed Declan McCoy’s side by seven points. Mulroy had engineered a goal for Evan Whelan while hitting three points himself in a 1-5 to 0-1 lead.

However, Cathal Murray’s side showed their class and their attacking capabilities to not only level before the break but take a crushing lead.

The domination came with eight points in a row and within that sequence Jonathan Commins hit four in succession. Pressure frees and points from long range were among the Commins barrage.

His county colleague Daire McConnon struck a crushing brace to see the champions ahead 0-9 to 1-5 at the interval.

Having wiped out the lead, Ardee paced themselves for the duration but that had a lot to do with Mulroy’s performance. With the Mairtins going scoreless for over 20 minutes after the perfect start, Mulroy dragged his side back ahead.

However, the devastating McConnon and Commins combo built up enough of a lead to get Ardee over line despite Mulroy’s best intentions.

Scorers for Ardee St Mary’s: Jonathan Commins 0-6 (3f); Dáire 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 (63).

Naomh Mairtin: Craig Lynch; Tadhg O’Brien, Thomas Sullivan, Shane Morgan; Sean 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 (Naomh Fionnbarra)