Team/Player of the Week from Round 1 and a Look ahead to Round 2 of JFC

Louth GAA’s Week 1 Player of the Week Nominees for DKIT Sport JFC

Jordan O’Donoghue (Dundalk Young Irelands): The heartbeat of the Dundalk Young Irelands team. He hit 1-4 and controlled the game at large, keeping O’Connells at arms length. The captain will be essential to their Championship hopes.

Olan Crosbie (Glyde Rangers):  Crosbie played closest to goal for Glyde Rangers against Westerns and caused danger every time he got the ball. 1-7 kicked, including an exceptional goal.

Niall McCreesh (Naomh Fionnbarra): An excellent display from last year’s Louth minor footballer against John Mitchels. Scored 2-1 and laid on the other goal with a brilliant pass.

Dundalk Young Irelands v LannLéire

Saturday 22nd August – Stabannon – 7.30pm

Arguably the tie of the JFC round. Dundalk Young Irelands underlined their Championship credentials with a clinical victory over O’Connells last weekend, while LannLéire were impressive in dispatching Dowdalshill 1-22 to 1-5. This should provide a much sterner test for Lannléire, Young Irelands look to have the greater quality across the pitch. Jordan O’Donoghue is a player capable of controlling the tempo and could prove decisive. LannLéire will certainly make this competitive, but the Championship favourites should have enough.

O’Connells v Dowdalshill

Friday 21st August – Darver – 8pm

O’Connells come into this one as justifiable heavy favourites. Based on this year’s Division 3 League standings, it is a meeting of 1st against 14th, and the form book points firmly in one direction. O’Connells were unfortunate last weekend as Dundalk Young Irelands pulled away following Sam Sherman’s dismissal, but they will be keen to put that disappointment behind them here. With a huge Round 3 clash against LannLéire on the horizon, they will want to deal with business professionally and keep their Championship campaign firmly on track.

Na Piarsaigh/Blackrock v St Finbarrs

Sunday 23rd August – Darver – 12pm

Na Piarsaigh/Blackrock deserve enormous credit for their performance last weekend, when they swept aside Sean McDermotts 2-11 to 0-3. They were excellent throughout and will need to produce something similar, and perhaps even better, if they are to cause another upset here. St Finbarrs, meanwhile, laid siege to John Mitchels in a result that was far more convincing than many expected. Cillian McQuillan, Niall McCreesh and Andrew O’Reilly all hit the ground running on their Championship debuts and give the Togher side serious attacking quality. Na Piarsaigh/Blackrock looked very good last weekend and cannot be discounted, but St Finbarrs should have enough to come through.

Sean McDermotts v John Mitchels

Saturday 22nd August – Darver – 4pm

Two sides who will be looking for a significant response after disappointing opening weekends. This local derby should carry plenty of bite, with both teams knowing each other well. The sides met at this stage last year, with John Mitchels coming out comfortable winners, and they will be hoping for a repeat result. John Gallagher hobbling off last weekend will be a concern for Johnny Carter’s men, with the Mitchels side struggling for scores without him. If Daniel Commins is fit, however, the Seans have enough about them to make this much closer than expected. Mitchels should just have the edge, but this could be a fascinating battle.

St Nicholas v Westerns

Sunday 23rd August – Darver – 4pm

St Nicholas will have watched on last Monday evening as Westerns produced one of the performances of the opening round, holding last year’s finalists Glyde Rangers to a remarkable draw. Tommy Durnin’s return proved hugely influential, with the Reaghstown man kicking two two-pointers before landing a late equaliser. Oisin Drumgoole and Jack Martin have also added a youthful edge to the Westerns side, who look to be building some serious momentum. St Nicholas will provide a stern test, but Westerns showed enough last weekend to suggest they can come out on top again.

Annaghminnon Rovers v Cuchulainn Gaels

Saturday 22nd August – Dundalk Gaels – 5pm

This is arguably the toughest game of the round to call. Annaghminnon Rovers were extremely impressive in spells last weekend, with Rory Phelan and James O’Connor leading the line superbly, while Conor Russell was particularly prominent around the middle. Cuchulainn Gaels, however, are an ever-improving side and will have their eyes firmly set on topping the group and securing a place in the Quarter-Finals. There is plenty at stake beyond the two points here, as victory could provide a huge boost in confidence heading into the remainder of the group stage. This has all the ingredients of a tight, competitive encounter and a draw may be the most likely outcome.

Team of the Week returns

Louth GAA’s Club Championship Team of the Week returns after an exciting Round 1 of games in the DKIT Sport JFC. Team is displayed below:

In full:

1. Fergal Sheeky – Dundalk Young Irelands
2. Eoghan McEneaney – John Mitchels
3. Josh Crosbie – Naomh Fionnbarra
4. Stephen McGuinness – Na Piarsaigh/Blackrock
5. Darragh Malone – Lannléire
6. Jordan O’Donoghue – Dundalk Young Irelands
7. Jackie Agnew – O’Connells
8. Tommy Durnin – Westerns
9. Cillian McQuillan – Naomh Fionnbarra
10. Rory Phelan – Annaghminnon Rovers
11. Killian Gregory – Lannléire
12. Jamie Feely – Na Piarsaigh/Blackrock
13. Niall McCreesh – Naomh Fionnbarra
14. Olan Crosbie – Glyde Rangers
15. Oisin Drumgoole – Westerns

The Dressing Room, Episode 3