Louth GAA

Main Menu

  • Stadium
  • Fixtures & Results
    • Next 7 Days
      • Next 14 Days
      • Next 21 Days
    • Last 7 Days
      • Last 14 Days
      • Last 21 Days
    • Championship
      • Senior Football
      • Intermediate Football
      • Junior Football
      • Senior Hurling
    • League
      • Division 1
      • Division 2
      • Division 3
      • Division 3B
      • Kevin McGahon Cup
      • Division 4
      • Division 5
      • Division 6 North
      • Division 6 South
      • Senior Hurling
      • Special Hurling
      • Maurice Murphy Cup
      • Colm Geary Cup
    • Paddy Sheelan Cup
      • Paddy Sheelan Cup KO
      • Paddy Sheelan Shield
    • Kevin Mullen Shield
      • Kevin Mullen Shield KO
      • Kevin Mullen Plate
    • U21 League Competition
    • Minor Board
      • 2025 Regulations
      • Lennon Cup
      • U18
      • U16
      • U15
      • U14
      • U13
      • U12
  • Tickets
    • Club C’ship Tickets
    • NFL Tickets
    • NHL Tickets
    • Leinster
  • Lú TV
    • Video on Demand
  • Club Lú
    • Sponsorship Tiers
    • Draws
    • Join Up
  • Downloads
  • Committees 2025
    • Management Committee 2025
    • Other Officers
    • Competitions Control Committee
    • Coiste na nóg
    • Intercounty Panels
    • Coaching & Games Steering
    • Infrastructure
    • Communications Team
    • Planning and Training Committee
    • Irish Language and Culture
    • Children’s Committee
    • Coiste Iomána
    • Youth
    • Coaching and Games Staff

logo

  • Stadium
  • Fixtures & Results
    • Next 7 Days
      • Next 14 Days
      • Next 21 Days
    • Last 7 Days
      • Last 14 Days
      • Last 21 Days
    • Championship
      • Senior Football
        • SFC Knockout
      • Intermediate Football
        • IFC Knockout
      • Junior Football
        • JFC Knockout
      • Senior Hurling
    • League
      • Division 1
      • Division 2
      • Division 3
      • Division 3B
      • Kevin McGahon Cup
      • Division 4
      • Division 5
      • Division 6 North
      • Division 6 South
      • Senior Hurling
      • Special Hurling
      • Maurice Murphy Cup
      • Colm Geary Cup
    • Paddy Sheelan Cup
      • Paddy Sheelan Cup KO
      • Paddy Sheelan Shield
    • Kevin Mullen Shield
      • Kevin Mullen Shield KO
      • Kevin Mullen Plate
    • U21 League Competition
    • Minor Board
      • 2025 Regulations
      • Lennon Cup
      • U18
        • Championship
          • U18 A Championship
          • U18 B Championship
        • League
          • Regional League
      • U16
        • U16 A Championship
        • U16 B Championship
        • League
          • Regional
      • U15
        • Championship
          • U15 A Championship
          • U15 B Championship
        • League
      • U14
        • U14 ‘A’ Championship
        • U14 ‘B’ Championship
        • U14 Division 1
        • U14 Division 2
        • U14 Division 3
        • U14 Division 4
      • U13
        • League
        • U13 A Championship
        • U13 B Championship
      • U12
        • League
          • U12 Division 1
          • U12 Division 2
          • U12 Division 3
          • U12 Division 4
  • Tickets
    • Club C’ship Tickets
    • NFL Tickets
    • NHL Tickets
    • Leinster
  • Lú TV
    • Video on Demand
  • Club Lú
    • Sponsorship Tiers
    • Draws
    • Join Up
  • Downloads
  • Committees 2025
    • Management Committee 2025
    • Other Officers
    • Competitions Control Committee
    • Coiste na nóg
    • Intercounty Panels
    • Coaching & Games Steering
    • Infrastructure
    • Communications Team
    • Planning and Training Committee
    • Irish Language and Culture
    • Children’s Committee
    • Coiste Iomána
    • Youth
    • Coaching and Games Staff
Club
Home›Club›“Downey drives Nicks to opening win as late surge sinks Westerns”

“Downey drives Nicks to opening win as late surge sinks Westerns”

By Bob Doheny
17th August 2025
1047
0
Share:

DKIT Sport Louth Junior Football Championship – Group 4, Round 1

St Nicholas 2-15 Westerns 0-10
Venue: Páirc Baile Fiach, Hunterstown

St Nicholas made a winning start to their Group 4 campaign in the DKIT Sport Louth Junior Football Championship with a commanding second-half performance that saw them pull clear of a spirited Westerns side in Hunterstown. The eleven-point margin was perhaps harsh on the Reaghstown men, who competed strongly for large spells but were left to rue a series of missed chances at vital stages of the contest.

First Half – Westerns compete strongly

The game began at a lively pace with Westerns striking first blood through Killian Crosbie, who curled over a fine point inside the opening minute. St Nicholas, however, settled quickly, and Padraic Downey proved their go-to man in attack. His opening point was swiftly followed by an excellent two-point effort, before Roy Kierans and Lee Kavanagh extended the Drogheda side’s lead to 0-5 to 0-1 by the 12th minute.

Westerns suffered a setback midway through the half when experienced midfielder Anthony Durnin was shown a black card for a late challenge, forcing them to reshuffle around the middle third. Yet they refused to wilt, and Crosbie kept the scoreboard ticking with a pair of frees to keep the gap manageable.

The sides traded scores through Dylan Brogan and Ryan Duffy, but just before the interval the Nicks edged four clear again thanks to efforts from Downey and Alan Dyas. Despite that advantage, the Westerns left the field at half-time still well in the contest, trailing 0-8 to 0-4.

Second Half – Nicks take control

The Westerns got the perfect start to the second period when Durnin returned from the sin-bin to clip over a superb point from the right wing. However, that was as good as it got for them as St Nicholas soon produced the game’s defining spell.

Between the 34th and 42nd minutes, the Drogheda men reeled off 1-5 without reply, a devastating burst that broke the Westerns’ resistance. Hayden Quinn struck the game’s first goal with a composed finish following a slick move, while points from Kierans, Philip Kirwan, Shane Downey, Dyas and the irrepressible Padraic Downey opened up a commanding lead.

To their credit, Westerns refused to throw in the towel. Ryan Duffy and substitute Emmet Smith clipped over scores to reduce the deficit, but the Nicks always had an answer. Substitutes made their mark late on, with Con Sheehan raising a green flag in the 53rd minute and adding a point soon after, while Fionn Meagher also got on the scoresheet.

The Reaghstown men finished strongly with further points from Duffy and Smith, but by then the result was beyond doubt as St Nicholas ran out comfortable 2-17 to 0-12 winners.

Standout Performers

For St Nicholas, Padraic Downey led by example with a tally of 0-5 and some inspirational scores, while Hayden Quinn’s goal proved crucial in swinging momentum. Roy Kierans and Alan Dyas were also prominent throughout, and Con Sheehan made a major impact off the bench.

Westerns will take positives despite the result, with Ryan Duffy and Killian Crosbie showing accuracy up front, while Anthony Durnin gave them leadership around the middle when on the field.

Man of the Match

Padraic Downey (St Nicholas): The playmaker was at the heart of everything positive for the Nicks, kicking from range, linking attacks and setting the tone during the decisive second-half surge.

Scorers

St Nicholas: Padraic Downey 0-5 (1 2P), Hayden Quinn 1-0, Con Sheehan 1-1, Roy Kierans 0-2, Alan Dyas 0-2, Lee Kavanagh 0-1, Dylan Brogan 0-1, Philip Kirwan 0-1, Shane Downey 0-1, Fionn Meagher 0-1.

Westerns: Ryan Duffy 0-3, Killian Crosbie 0-3 (2f), Emmet Smith 0-2, Anthony Durnin 0-1, Conor Kerr 0-1, Pat Kearly 0-1, Adam Duffy 0-1.

Teams

St Nicholas: Shane Finegan; Stephen Finegan, Ruairi Hanlon, Alan Dyas; Aaron Flanagan, Alex Finegan, Dylan Brogan; Philip Kirwan, Brian Carter; Shane Downey, Roy Kierans, Hayden Quinn; Fionn Meagher, Padraic Downey, Lee Kavanagh.
Subs: Cian Flynn for Brian Carter (43 mins), Cebhan Houshidari for Stephen Finegan (45 mins), Con Sheehan for Lee Kavanagh (48 mins), Sean Lynch for Paudie Downey (56 mins), Lorcan Downey for Dylan Brogan (56 mins).

Westerns: Terance Sweeney; Dylan Ogle, Andy Murray, Mick Martin; Roan Gallagher, Adam Duffy, Darragh Osborne; Matthew Kane, Cathal Kennedy; Pat Kearly, Anthony Durnin, Ryan Duffy; Killian Crosbie, Conor Kerr.
Subs: Sean McGuinness for Dylan Ogle (38 mins), Emmet Smith for Conor Kerr (38 mins), Conor Smith for Roan Gallagher (56 mins), Bradley Duffy for Andy Murray (56 mins), Killian Daly for Cathal Kennedy (58 mins).

Referee: David Fedigan (Hunterstown Rovers).

What’s Next

St Nicholas will be full of confidence heading into their next Group 4 outing, knowing another victory would put them firmly on course for a quarter-final place. Their mix of experience and youthful energy looks well balanced, with several scoring threats across the forward line.

For Westerns, the task is now about regrouping quickly. They showed enough in the first half to suggest they can still make an impact in this group, but greater efficiency in front of goal will be needed if they are to bounce back and stay in contention for qualification

Previous Article

“Quigley Hat-Trick Fires O’Connells Past Annaghminnon Rovers ...

Next Article

Clinical Glyde Rangers Make Winning Start in ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +

Related articles More from author

  • Club

    “Grimes Inspires Glen Emmets to Hard-Fought Win Over St Kevins”

    1st September 2025
    By Bob Doheny
  • ClubHealth and WellbeingCoaching & Games

    JP McManus Charitable Foundation Donation

    23rd January 2024
    By Bob Doheny
  • ClubCountyFixtures & Results

    Covid Restrictions – Update

    2nd February 2021
    By Bob Doheny
  • Club

    “Skinnader Leads Dreadnots Charge to Famous Win Over Mochtas”

    1st September 2025
    By Bob Doheny
  • Club

    “Brides Hit the Ground Running with Dominant Group 2 Victory”

    24th August 2025
    By Bob Doheny
  • Coaching & GamesClubCountySponsors

    Louth GAA launch new jersey

    15th December 2021
    By Ronan Lynch

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You may be interested in

  • SponsorsClub

    Do you want to be part of LúTV?

  • Club

    Niall Sharkey Returns for the Glyde’ as They Eye Christy Bellew Title

  • Club

    “McKeown Masterclass as Dundalk Gaels Outgun Roche Emmets”

Donate to Louth GAA

Donation towards the new Louth GAA stadium

Walking Track

Louth GAA Tweets

Twitter feed is not available at the moment.

Louth GAA

logo

Louth GAA is one of the 32 County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in Ireland and is responsible for the promotion of Gaelic Games and Irish Cultúr in County Louth including Gaelic Football and Hurling.

Lú Abú

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Anchor Tours SFC Final Preview

    By Bob Doheny
    21st October 2025
  • “Hunterstown Claim Sweet Intermediate Victory After Long Road”

    By Bob Doheny
    20th October 2025
  • “Oliver Plunketts are 2025 DKIT Sport JFC Champions”

    By Bob Doheny
    19th October 2025
  • “Naomh Mairtin March Into 7th Final in 8 Years After Dominant Win Over Dundalk Gaels”

    By Bob Doheny
    14th October 2025
  • Anchor Tours SFC Final Preview

    By Bob Doheny
    21st October 2025
  • Louth overcome Meath in O’Byrne Cup opener

    By darcys
    8th December 2019
  • Offaly go into Christmas break unbeaten

    By darcys
    14th December 2019
  • Digital Teamsheets & Referee Reports

    By darcys
    21st December 2019

About Us

  • Louth GAA Centre of Excellence, Newtowndarver, Readypenny, Co. Louth, A91 CF62
  • operationsmanager.louth@gaa.ie

Follow us

© Copyright Louth GAA. All rights reserved.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.