Ardee St Marys Are Division 1 League Champions in 2026
John O’Neill Sand and Gravel Ltd. League
Cardinal O’Donnell Cup Division 1 League Final
From Cullen AutoParts Louth GAA Training Centre in Darver
Ardee St Marys 2-20 St Josephs 0-7
Trophy Presentation – John O’Neill (John O’Neill Sand and Gravel Ltd), Daire McConnon (Ardee St Marys Captain), Sean McClean (Louth GAA Chairman)
Ardee St Marys claimed their second Cardinal O’Donnell Cup in three years after a resounding victory over St Josephs at Darver on Sunday evening.
A dominant display from the Ardee men who got out of the blocks in quick fashion gaining a grasp on the game early on. Jonathan Commins (2), Adam Gillespie and Tiernan Markey all landed two-pointers in the opening half. Their middle-third with the likes of Eimhin Keenan, Sean Callaghan, Flynn Markey and Commins showed relentless dominance that the Dromiskin men struggled to counteract.
The extremely impressive Ciaran Keenan was one of Marys’ goalscorers as was Conor Gillespie, with both men finishing with 1-3 and 1-2, respectively.
Jonathan Commins (Ardee St Marys) holds off the challenge of David Kieran (St Josephs)
With county stars Tadhg McDonnell and Liam Jackson still to return, Ardee St Marys are rightly wedged amongst the Joe Ward favourites.
Ardee St Marys team: Tiernan Markey (0-2, 1tpf); Paraic McKenny, Donal McKenny (0-1), Fionn Coyle; Flynn Markey, Keelin Martin, Kian Moran; Eimhin Keenan, Sean Callaghan (0-1, 1mark); Jonathan Commins (0-5, 2tp), Ciaran Keenan (1-3), Andy Murphy; Adam Gillespie (0-2, 1tp), Daire McConnon (0-4), Conor Gillespie (1-2).
Subs: Tom Jackson for Paraic McKenny 37′, Shane Matthews for Adam Gillespie 48′, Evan Malone for Sean Callaghan 51′, Lorcan Buckley for Donal McKenny 51′, Luke Keenan for Ciaran Keenan 56′.
St Josephs team: Aaron Gray; Cian Sheridan, Aidan Kieran, Rian Devlin (0-1); David Kieran, Ben McKeown (0-2, 1tpf), Gabriel Bell; Oisin McGuinness, Cormac McKeown; Killian Staunton, Conall McCaul (0-3, 1f), Pearse Grimes-Murphy; Craig Doherty, Ben Collier (0-1), Conal Smyth.
Subs: Alan Quigley for Craig Doherty h-t, Michael O’Brien for David Kieran h-t, Oisin Reidy for Killian Staunton h-t, Jack Mulligan for Pearse Grimes Murphy 36′, Conor Neary for Conal Smyth 57′.
Referee: Bryan Smith (O’Raghallaighs)
Photos by Ciaran Culligan
Division 1/2 Promotion/Relegation Playoff Final
Meanwhile, in other club league news – Mattock Rangers secured their Division 1 status for 2027 after a one-point win over Dundalk Young Irelands at Haggardstown.
The sides were well-matched throughout with the Collon men leading 0-7 to 0-4 at the break.
The Irelands’ had their chances in the second half but failed to make them count with Mattock relieved to overcome a sticky task and ensure Senior league for another year.
Liam Flynn was instrumental in ensuring Mattock Rangers’ safety
