Four-Goal Ardee St Marys Too Strong for St Mochtas

Anchor Tours Senior Football Championship – Group 2

From Cullen Autoparts Louth GAA Training Centre, Darver

Ardee St Marys 4-13
St Mochtas 2-11

Ardee St Marys marked their return to Championship action with an impressive victory over St Mochtas in Round 1 at the Cullen Autoparts Louth GAA Training Centre in Darver on Monday evening.

The three-in-a-row champions were back in competitive action for the first time since their title defence was ended by Newtown Blues, and they wasted little time settling into their 2026 campaign.

Sean Callaghan opened proceedings with an outstanding two-pointer from distance inside the opening minute. Sean Flynn and Jonathan Commins exchanged scores before Ciaran Keenan was brought down inside the penalty area, allowing Adam Gillespie to confidently dispatch the resulting spot-kick.

Declan Byrne added a free before St Mochtas responded with their best spell of the opening half. Gerry Garland’s excellent delivery found Andrew Lennon, who palmed the ball to the net to bring his side back into contention.

Ardee regained control, however, with Tiernan Markey converting a two-point free following a St Mochtas infringement. Callaghan then produced another superb two-pointer, while Daire McConnon added two excellent scores of his own.

Half-time: Ardee St Marys 1-9, St Mochtas 1-4.

St Mochtas reduced the deficit early in the second half despite Kian Moran opening the scoring, as Declan Byrne answered with an excellent outside-of-the-boot two-pointer.

Then came the decisive spell.

Ardee St Marys found the net three times in just 90 seconds, showcasing the attacking quality that has made them such a formidable force in recent years. Conor Gillespie struck twice before Ciaran Keenan finished brilliantly to complete the remarkable scoring burst and put Ardee firmly in control at 4-10 to 1-6.

Keelin Martin and Keenan added further scores before St Mochtas attempted to mount a late response. Darren McMahon, Cormac Smyth and Byrne all registered points before Garland found the net with 10 minutes remaining.

Garland added a late two-pointer, but Evan Malone had the final say as Ardee St Marys secured a convincing 4-13 to 2-11 victory.

Ardee now turn their attention to a local derby against Hunterstown Rovers on Sunday evening.

Man of the Match: Sean Callaghan (Ardee St Marys)

Callaghan was outstanding throughout, dominating around midfield, winning several clean kick-outs and producing two excellent two-pointers in a commanding display.

Ardee St Marys team: Tiernan Markey (0-2, 1tp); Paraic McKenny, Eimhin Keenan, Fionn Coyle; Kian Moran (0-1), Keelin Martin (0-1), Flynn Markey; Sean Callaghan (0-4, 2tp), Evan Malone (0-1); Andy Murphy, Ciaran Keenan (1-1), Jonathan Commins (0-1, 1f); Adam Gillespie (1-0, 1-0pen), Conor Gillespie (2-0), Daire McConnon (0-2).

Subs: Tom Jackson for Andy Murphy (half-time), Carl Gillespie for Conor Gillespie (40 Mins), Shane Matthews for Adam Gillespie (46 Mins), Ronan Carroll for Daire McConnon (55 Mins).

St Mochtas team: Daire O’Shea; David Lennon, Connell Kierans, Andrew Lennon (1-0); Oisin Callan, Darren McMahon (0-1), Daniel Craven; Sean Flynn (0-1), Sean Marron; Ben Goss Kieran, Gerry Garland (1-2, 1tp), Dylan Farrell; Cormac Smyth (0-1), Declan Byrne (0-6, 2tpf, 2f), Jamie Farrell.

Subs: Ciaran Byrne for Daniel Craven (half-time), Danny Kindlon for Dylan Farrell (47 Mins), Conor Garland for Oisin Callan (56 Mins).

Referee – Paul Kneel (Kilkerley Emmets)