From Four Down To One Up: Blues Stun Ardee In Injury Time

Anchor Tours Senior Football Championship Semi-Final

At Páirc Séamus Mhic hEochaidh, Haggardstown

Newtown Blues 1-15 Ardee St Marys 2-11

Newtown Blues produced a sensational late comeback to dump championship favourites Ardee St Marys out of the Anchor Tours Senior Football Championship for the second consecutive year, snatching a dramatic one-point victory in Haggardstown.

Trailing by four points entering injury time, the Drogheda side looked destined for defeat before two of their younger stars, Conor Mac Criosta and Liam Branigan, turned the contest on its head with a remarkable finish.

The Blues, managed by former Louth minor manager Johnny Clerkin, made an excellent start, with Ross Nally, Ciaran Downey and Andy McDonnell all registering inside the opening seven minutes. Ardee, under Fergal Reel, gradually settled, with Donal McKenny and Daire McConnon getting them on the scoreboard.

Keelin Martin of Ardee St Marys goes beyond Emmett Carolan of Newtown Blues © Seamus Counihan

McDonnell continued to impress for the Blues, adding another fine point before Keelin Martin responded for Ardee. Jamie Kelly and Conor Mac Criosta extended the Drogheda side’s advantage, with the latter finishing off good work from Daire Nally.

Carl Gillespie kept Ardee in touch with a pair of frees, but Downey replied at the other end before adding another placed ball. McDonnell then produced a superb score on the half-hour mark to leave the Blues four clear at the interval.

Half-time: Newtown Blues 0-9 Ardee St Marys 0-5.

Ardee began the second half with renewed purpose, as Eimhin Keenan pointed before McDonnell once again showcased his quality with an excellent score off his left foot.

The game’s first goal arrived in the 33rd minute when Ciaran Keenan reacted quickest to a loose ball and fired to the net, bringing Ardee right back into contention. Eoin McCoy appeared to have an immediate response for the Blues, but his effort was ruled out.

Downey steadied the Blues with a superb two-point free, struck from outside the boot, although Ardee continued to chip away at the deficit through Keenan, Kian Moran and Gillespie.

The momentum swung decisively in Ardee’s favour in the 52nd minute. Keelin Martin finished clinically to the bottom corner for their second goal, putting the Marys in front for the first time all evening. Tiernan Markey added a free before Martin registered another point, leaving Ardee four ahead as the contest entered its closing stages.

Conor Mac Criosta winds up to kick a late two-pointer for Newtown Blues © Seamus Counihan

With the clock ticking down and three minutes of additional time indicated, the Blues needed something special. They found it through Mac Criosta, who took responsibility when his side needed him most, firing over an inspirational two-pointer to cut the gap to two.

Then came the decisive moment.

The Blues launched one final attack. Liam Branigan emerged as the hero, burying the ball in the back of the net at 61 minutes and 39 seconds to put Newtown Blues back in front and send their supporters into celebration.

The Young Guns | Liam Branigan and Conor Mac Criosta were the Newtown Blues heroes © Seamus Counihan

Ardee had one final opportunity to rescue the game, working the ball patiently up the field to McKenny, but his effort drifted wide as the Blues held on for a remarkable victory.

Full-time: Newtown Blues 1-15 Ardee St Marys 2-11.

For the second year running, the Blues have ended Ardee St Marys’ championship ambitions, with their composure and resilience in the closing minutes proving decisive in a semi-final that delivered a dramatic finish.

Man of the Match – Andy McDonnell (Newtown Blues)

A class act from start to finish, McDonnell was virtually unplayable as he dictated proceedings between full-forward and midfield. He kicked four superb points from play, showcasing his quality off both the right and left, while also winning crucial kickouts. Ardee struggled to get near him throughout, as he delivered once again for the Blues.

Andy McDonnell of Newtown Blues in action against Donal McKenny of Newtown Blues © Seamus Counihan

Newtown Blues team: Ronan Browne; Alan Connor, Ciaran Cluskey-Kelly, Ian Connor; Conor Branigan, Daire Nally, Liam Branigan (1-0); Emmett Carolan, Ryan Kelly; Conor Mac Criosta (0-3, 1tp), Ciaran Downey (0-6, 1tpf & 3f), Jamie Kelly (0-1); Conor Moore, Andy McDonnell (0-4), Ross Nally (0-1).

Subs: Eoin McCoy for Ciaran Downey blood 16-18min, Eoin McCoy for Ross Nally half-time, Sean Cummins for Conor Moore 50 mins, Brian Kermode for Ryan Kelly 54 mins, Niall Devlin for Conor Branigan 54 mins.

Ardee St Marys team: Tiernan Markey (0-1, 1f); Conor Keenan, Donal McKenny (0-1), Paraic McKenny; Flynn Markey, Keelin Martin (1-2), Tadhg McDonnell; Sean Callaghan, Eimhin Keenan (0-1); Carl Gillespie (0-3, 3f), Tom Jackson, Jonathan Commins; Ciaran Keenan (1-1), Daire McConnon (0-1), Luke Keenan.

Subs: Shane Matthews for Luke Keenan 30 mins, Kian Moran (0-1) for Jonathan Commins 40 mins, Adam Gillespie for Flynn Markey 42 mins, Conor Gillespie for Carl Gillespie 52 mins.

Referee – Colm McCullough (Naomh Fionnbarra)

Photos thanks to Seamus Counihan ©