Last-kick agony for brave St. Mochta's as Newtown Blues snatch Louth crown 

THE WINNER:Newtown Blues' Ciaran Downey in the Louth Senior Football Championship Final Replay. Pic: INPHO/Bryan Keane

Louth SFC Final replay: Newtown Blues 0-12 St. Mochta’s 0-11 

There was agony and ecstasy in Drogheda as Newtown Blues were crowned champions with the last kick of the ball against St. Mochta’s in the Louth Senior final replay.

The Louth villagers were leading by three points in additional time until Jamie Kelly first raised the orange flag to cut the gap to one, before All-Star nominee Ciaran Downey kicked his Blues side into the history books.

Champions for the 24th time, the Drogheda side denied the Mochta’s their first in heartbreaking fashion. Downey's deep two pointer was the only occasion the roll of honour toppers led in the second half.

Understandably both sides struggled with the conditions from the get-go. Swirling breezes and torrential rain made the ball even more slippery thank usual.

Hero the last day, Declan Byrne, had the first free of the game and he would miss, due to the incessant conditions.

Two players who had off days the week previous were quick to amend. Downey sniped over his first after Conor Moore opened the scoring for the Drogheda side.

Then came the first two pointer of the game. From the outside of his left boot, Gerry Garland spun the ball over the bar in stunning fashion and allowed the minnows to believe.

There was so much pressure on Daire O’Shea’s long kick outs with the wind but Blues held firm in the contest.

With his determination it looked like Downey’s final and he would add another after his second in a defiant first half. Up front, Ciaran Byrne tried the goal chance as his side, with the wind assistance, grew in dominance. Ben Goss Kieran gave them the lead for the first time in the 18th minute.

Downey levelled with assertiveness again, after Andy McDonnell collected the under-pressure Mochta’s kick out. The sides would ultimately go in level at the break, like last week Declan Byrne equalised to make it 0-6 a piece.

Like most modern sides, Mochta’s enjoy running against the wind. They also brought Ciaran Byrne out the field for kick outs.

His brother Declan, gave Louth Villagers the early lead in the second period. Blues went wide after wide, struggling to find the range with the elements behind them.

Nearly a quarter of an hour after the break Jaime Kelly pegged the sides back to level terms. With the vocal Mochta’s supporters cheering every breaking ball, Garland and Byrne pushed them into winning position.

There was still time, and classy Downey had other ideas. 

Scorers for St. Mochta’s: Declan Byrne 0-5 (3f), Gerry Garland 0-3 (1tp), Ben Goss Kieran 0-2, Ciaran Byrne 0-1.

Scorers for Newtown Blues: Ciaran Downey 0-5 (1tp), Jamie Kelly 0-4 (1tp), Ross Nally, Conor MacCriosta and Conor Moore 0-1 each.

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

Subs: Sean Marron for McMahon (28), Daniel Craven for J Farrell (46), Philip Englishby for Marron (57).

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

Subs: Ewan Hoban for Moore (47), Fergal Donohoe for Cluskey Kelly (51).

Referee: Damien Connor (St. Patrick’s)