“Ardee Top Group With Blues In Sight”
Anchor Tours Senior Football Championship Group 3 Round 3
Ardee St Marys 2-20 : 0-14 Geraldines
From Protection and Prosperity Louth GAA Training Centre in Darver
Referee: Bryan Smith (O’Raghallaighs)
Ardee St Marys safely secured their passage to the Quarter Finals of the 2025 Anchor Tours Senior Football Championship with a convincing 12 point victory over Geraldines in PPFS Darver.
Cathal Murray‘s side dominated for large parts and took an early lead through Daire McConnon with a trademark score from the Ardee full forward as he cut in on his trusty left boot and converted. Geraldines had their best spell of the game shortly after this as they got ahead of the county champions, with the aid of a decent breeze in Darver. Michael Rogers converted a 2-point free from the deck, while Jim McEneaney tapped over a close range free and also, added a well-taken effort from play to send the Haggardstown men 0-4 to 0-1 clear on 10 minutes.
Tiernan Markey then nailed a 2-point effort while McEneaney added another free for his side but unfortunately for them, this was the last time they would lead on the night. Ardee St Marys struck a major on 16′ after a beautifully worked move ended up with Ciaran Keenan finishing the move off to move them 1-3 to 0-5 ahead. Keenan then added a nice point before, Ardee handed Geraldines another hammer blow. This goal was simply majestic, a hallmark of what has made this Marys’ side so successful. Midfielder’ Sean Callaghan found Ciaran Keenan with a superb kick pass into a pocket of space he had created, he then turned with his typical low centre of gravity, lifted his head and delivered an outrageously good hand pass over the head of the Gers’ full back into the arms of Daire McConnon – who took it in his stride a buried it low beyond Cian O’Donoghue.
To their credit, the Geraldines responded with two 2-pointers through Michael Rogers and an eye-catching Matt Corcoran effort. Shane Matthews added 2 points along with a Keenan hand-passed effort to ensure the 4-in-a-row chasers lead at the interval.
Half Time – Ardee St Marys 2-7 : 0-10 Geraldines
Ardee introduced county vice-captain Tommy Durnin at the break for his debut with Marys’ as he replaced the experienced RJ Callaghan. He immediately took position for the throw-up, where twenty seconds later, they added another two-pointer through Tom Jackson. The tale of the second half was one of complete Ardee St Marys control. They had a complete grip on the game which allowed them put some good passages of play together with the likes of Tom Jackson and Sean Callaghan particularly influential. Callaghan’s aerial dominance was a prevalent theme of the game with his Louth U20 teammate Tiernan Markey turning to him with a high percentage of his kick outs that usually lead to successful outcomes. Carl Gillespie and Markey added several points from dead balls while Jackson and McConnon struck from play to keep the scoreboard ticking for the Ardee men. Geraldines had 4 second half points through John McCrohan, Michael Rogers, Jim McEneaney and Matt Corcoran.
Full Time – Ardee St Marys 2-20 : 0-14 Geraldines
Ardee St Marys will feel it is a job well done, but Cathal Murray and his backroom team will be well aware of the importance of improving their performance as the championship goes on. Tiernan Markey, Tom Jackson and Sean Callaghan have been hugely impressive in their campaign so far, while Daire McConnon and Ciaran Keenan look to be firing nicely up top. At the back, they will be eager to get their leader Donal McKenny back for the knockout stages, while their 2024 captain Liam Jackson is yet to feature.
On the other hand, Geraldines will enter the relegation playoffs. They face a Roche Emmets side buoyant from a win over Cooley Kickhams on Monday night. Geraldines will be hopeful of arresting their form and with players like Dan Corcoran, Michael Rogers, Jim McEneaney and Ben Gartlan – they are well capable. They brought a good intensity at stages tonight and will look to replicate this for larger periods against Roche.
Order of Group 3 after it’s conclusion:
1st – Ardee St Marys ; 4pts
2nd – St Fechins ; 2pts
3rd – Geraldines ; 0pts
Player of the Match:
Ciaran Keenan (Ardee St Marys) : Keenan was a bright spark in the Ardee performance tonight. A lot of their most dangerous play comes through him and their supporters will only be too delighted to see him fit and firing at this stage of the year. Hit 1-2 on a good evening’s work for him.
Ardee St Marys Team:
Tiernan Markey (0-5, 4f, 1’45’); Noah Coyle, Karl Faulkner, Páraic McKenny; Tadhg McDonnell, Eimhín Keenan, Carl Gillespie (0-4 – 4f); RJ Callaghan, Sean Callaghan (0-1); Kian Moran, Shane Matthews (0-2), Jonathan Commins; Ciaran Keenan (1-2), Daire McConnon (1-2), Tom Jackson (0-4).
Subs: Tommy Durnin for RJ Callaghan (Half Time), Adam Gillespie for Kian Moran (42 Mins), Keelin Martin for Eimhin Keenan (42 Mins), Conor Gillespie for Jonathan Commins (50 Mins), Ronan Carroll for Daire McConnon (56 Mins).
Geraldines Team:
Cian O’Donoghue; John McCrohan (0-1), James Craven, Jack McGailey; Ben Gartlan, Dan Corcoran, Gareth Neacy; Matt Corcoran (0-3), Michael Rogers (0-6 -5f, 1’45’); Daniel Nordone, David O’Connell, Jack Callan; Jack Traynor, Jim McEneaney (0-4 – 2f), Beanon Corrigan.
Subs: Ryan Trainor for James Craven (32 Mins), Niall Brennan for David O’Connell (50 Mins), Dara O’Graidigh for Ben Gartlan (55 Mins).
Photo: Ken Rooney (Ardee St Marys)
