Mac Criosta Stars As Newtown Blues See Off St Patricks

Anchor Tours Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final

At Cullen Autoparts Louth GAA Training Centre, Darver

Newtown Blues 2-17 St Patricks 1-14

Newtown Blues booked their place in the Anchor Tours Senior Football Championship semi-finals for the third consecutive year after overcoming a determined St Patricks side in a hard-fought quarter-final at Darver.

Emmett Carolan watches on

The Blues were without two key starters, with Emmett Carolan suspended following his red card against Cooley Kickhams, while Ciaran Downey was named among the substitutes after picking up a knock. Downey would ultimately prove influential when introduced, contributing three points to the winning effort.

It was St Patricks who made the sharper start. Tadhg O’Connor opened the scoring before reacting quickest when Martin McEneaney’s two-point attempt dropped short, pouncing on the loose ball to fire into the net after just two minutes.

O’Connor added another point before Conor Mac Criosta settled Newtown Blues with two scores, but the St Patricks forward replied to leave the score 1-2 to 0-2 after 10 minutes.

Aidan McCann extended the St Patricks lead before Mac Criosta struck for a two-pointer. Ewan Hoban added another for the Blues, but Jack Murphy and Sean Fearon responded as St Patricks maintained their advantage.

Murphy added another before the lively Mac Criosta registered again for the Drogheda side. Michael O’Shaughnessy then landed a sweet two-pointer, with O’Connor adding another single for St Patricks.

Sean Fearon (St Patricks) comes under pressure from Daire Nally (Newtown Blues)

The Blues landed a major of their own when Daire Nally’s long-range effort came back off the post, with Andy McDonnell reacting quickest to gather possession before finding the top corner.

St Patricks almost responded immediately with a huge goal chance, but Alan Connor heroically produced a crucial goal-line clearance. Jamie Kelly then added a point to leave just two between the sides at half-time.

Half Time – Newtown Blues 1-7 St Patricks 1-9

St Patricks began the second half with points from Eoin O’Connor and Joe Connor, but Newtown Blues quickly began to turn the momentum in their favour.

Conor Branigan and Jamie Kelly reduced the deficit before Ross Nally produced a superb finish in the 37th minute, firing home after Andy McDonnell’s pass found him to put the Blues ahead for the first time at 2-9 to 1-11.

Joe Connor converted a free for St Patricks, but the Blues responded through Andy McDonnell, Mac Criosta and, crucially, the introduction of captain Ciaran Downey, who added his first point to put them 2-12 to 1-12 ahead with 10 minutes remaining.

Jack Murphy (St Patricks) evades the challenge of Daire Nally (Newtown Blues)

From there, the Blues showed their quality and composure. McDonnell added another point before Downey produced an outstanding two-pointer from outside the boot.

Jack Murphy converted a two-point free for St Patricks, but Daire Nally and Mac Criosta added further insurance scores as Newtown Blues closed out the victory.

The result sees Newtown Blues reach the senior championship semi-finals for the third consecutive year, while remarkably, their 2-17 to 1-14 victory matches the exact scoreline of their quarter-final win over Ardee St Marys at this stage last year.

Full Time – Newtown Blues 2-17 St Patricks 1-14

Man of the Match – Conor Mac Criosta (Newtown Blues)

Conor Mac Criosta delivered an outstanding performance for Newtown Blues, contributing 0-7 to the scoreboard, including a superb two-pointer.

Newtown Blues team: Ronan Browne; Joey Nally, Ciaran Cluskey-Kelly, Ian Connor; Liam Branigan, Daire Nally (0-1), Alan Connor; Brian Kermode, Conor Branigan (0-1); Conor Mac Criosta (0-7, 1tp), Andy McDonnell (1-2), Jamie Kelly (0-2); Sean Cummins, Ross Nally (1-0), Ewan Hoban (0-1).

Subs: Ryan Kelly for Sean Cummins 29 mins, Conor Moore for Brian Kermode 33 mins, Ciaran Downey (0-3, 1tp) for Ewan Hoban 40 mins, Niall Devlin for Jamie Kelly 57 mins, Colm Judge for Ciaran Cluskey-Kelly 61 mins.

St Patricks team: Martin McEneaney; Sean Holland, Kevin Toner, Conor Grogan; Ciaran Murphy, Barry Dunne, Darren Connor; Eoin O’Connor (0-1), Leonard Gray; Aidan McCann (0-1), Jack Murphy (0-4, 1tpf, 1f), Michael O’Shaughnessy (0-2, 1tp); Sean Fearon (0-1), Tadhg O’Connor (1-3), Joe Connor (0-2, 1f).

Subs: Darren O’Hanlon for Joe Connor 47 mins, Tommy Keenan for Sean Fearon 53 mins, Tom McCann for Aidan McCann 56 mins, Rory Duffy for Barry Dunne 59 mins.

Referee: Paul Kneel (Kilkerley Emmets)

Photos: Ciaran Culligan

AERIAL DUAL | Brian Kermode (Newtown Blues) beats Eoin O’Connor (St Patricks) in the air