Honours Even as Cuchulainn Gaels and Lann Léire Share the Spoils in Championship Battle

DKIT Sport Louth GAA Junior Football Championship – Group 3, Round 2

Cuchulainn Gaels 0-9 Lann Léire 0-9

Venue: Páirc de Roiste

Cuchulainn Gaels and Lann Léire could not be separated in Páirc de Roiste on Sunday afternoon as they played out an absorbing draw in Round 2 of the DKIT Sport Louth Junior Football Championship. The result leaves both clubs with plenty of work to do in their quest for a quarter-final place, with Naomh Fionnbarra already securing qualification and three teams now battling for the remaining spot.

The opening exchanges set the tone for a lively and evenly contested encounter. Cuchulainn Gaels were the sharper outfit early on, with James Sharkey clipping over a fine score from play after four minutes. His brother Adam followed suit with another well-taken point two minutes later, giving the Gaels the perfect start.

Lann Léire eventually settled and got off the mark through an Ian Mulroy effort after nine minutes, but Cuchulainn continued to look lively in attack. James Sharkey was central to their play, converting a free on 12 minutes before adding an excellent score from play just two minutes later. When Adam Sharkey split the posts again on 16 minutes, the Gaels had moved into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead and looked in control.

However, Lann Léire’s response was swift. A free from Darragh Malone and a fisted effort from Colin Murphy in quick succession cut the deficit, before Adam Sharkey struck again for his third point of the half. Mulroy added another for the visitors, ensuring they stayed in touch at the break. At half-time, Cuchulainn Gaels led by 0-6 to 0-4, with the contest finely balanced.

The second half began with Lann Léire showing more intent. Colin Murphy led the charge, firing over two points in as many minutes to level the game at 0-6 apiece by the 44th minute. Cuchulainn Gaels were then dealt a blow when Dylan Lynch received a black card, leaving them temporarily down to 14 men.

Despite the setback, Aodhan O’Hanlon stepped up with a fine point to edge Cuchulainn Gaels back in front. Yet Lann Léire continued to press, with Murphy again on target before Sharkey responded from a placed ball to restore the narrow lead. The closing stages were tense and dramatic, with both sides trading scores in a gripping finale. Caimin Kirwan drew Lann Léire level once more, before Adam Sharkey notched his fourth point of the day to push the Gaels ahead entering the final minutes.

Just when it seemed the Cuchulainn Gaels might hold out for victory, Killian Gregory popped up with a late leveller in the 58th minute to make it 0-9 apiece. Both sides had opportunities to snatch victory in the dying moments, but neither could find the accuracy under pressure, and the spoils were shared at the final whistle.

For Cuchulainn Gaels, the Sharkey brothers were outstanding in attack, contributing eight of their nine points. Lann Léire, meanwhile, will be thankful for the leadership of Colin Murphy, whose purple patch in the second half kept his team alive, while Ian Mulroy and Gregory made important contributions at key moments.

The draw leaves Group 3 finely poised heading into the final round, with Cuchulainn Gaels, Lann Léire, and Na Piarsaigh-Blackrock all still in contention for that coveted second quarter-final berth. With so much on the line, next weekend promises to deliver more high drama in the Junior Championship.

Best Players – Cuchulainn Gaels:

• James Sharkey – Instrumental in attack, contributing 0-4 with excellent scores from play and frees, calm under pressure throughout.
• Adam Sharkey – Consistently dangerous, scoring 0-4 from play and creating several attacking chances.

Best Players – Lann Léire:

• Colin Murphy – Led the Lann Léire fightback in the second half with 0-4 from play; never gave up under pressure.
• Ian Mulroy – Important early points to keep Lann Léire in touch; composed and effective on the ball.

• Scorers – Cuchulainn Gaels: James Sharkey: 0-4 (2f), Adam Sharkey: 0-4, Aodhan O’Hanlon: 0-1.
• Scorers – Lann Léire: Colin Murphy: 0-4, Ian Mulroy: 0-2, Darragh Malone: 0-1, Caimin Kirwan 0-1.

Cuchulainn Gaels Team: Seamus Quigley, Stephen Óg McGuinness, Martin Hynes, Sean Brennan, Jamie Molloy, Aódhan O Hanlon, Rammie Phillips, Dylan Lynch, Michael McCabe, John Morgan, Larry Brennan, Cian McDonald, Adam Sharkey, James Sharkey, David Reilly.

Lann Léire Team: Conor Dunne, Jason Torris, Paul McGeough, Alex Carroll, Darragh Goodman, Caoimhín Maher, Kyle Van Rhijn, Pierce Hawkins, Killian Gregory, Colin Murphy, Darragh Malone, Ian Mulroy, Brendan Cassidy, Mark Grogan, Luke Dunne Boylan

Referee: David J McArdle (St Brides)