Mairtins Show Their Class to See Off Hunterstown and maintain Senior status

Anchor Tours Senior Football Championship Relegation Playoff Final

Naomh Mairtin 2-15 Hunterstown Rovers 1-12

At Cullen Autoparts Louth GAA Training Centre, Darver

Naomh Mairtin showed the character of champions to pull away from Hunterstown Rovers in the second half and secure their senior status for 2027, producing a devastating scoring burst after the break to overcome the newly promoted side.

The 2025 Senior champions came into the contest without two of their biggest names in Sam Mulroy and Eoghan Callaghan, but they found a way to get the job done when it mattered most. For Hunterstown, last year’s Intermediate champions, the return to senior football after a lengthly absence proved a challenging assignment as they were ultimately undone by a clinical Mairtin’s second-half display.

It was a far tighter affair in the opening period, with Hunterstown more than matching their opponents and briefly taking control through a series of excellent two-point scores, though they were aided by the breeze.

Captain Evan Whelan gave Naomh Mairtin the perfect start when he found the net in the third minute, but the Rovers responded well, with Dean Burns getting them off the mark before Ryan Ward began to make his influence felt from frees.

Craig Callanan edged the hosts further ahead, but Hunterstown hit back impressively. Ryan Burns landed a superb left footed two-pointer in the 16th minute before Ward followed with a well struck two-point free two minutes later, leaving Paul McKeown’s side in front and putting the champions under pressure.

Jack Murphy replied for the Jocks, while Dara McDonnell kept the scoreboard ticking over from a placed ball. Ward added another free just before the break to leave the sides level at half-time.

Half Time: Naomh Mairtin 1-4 to Hunterstown Rovers 0-7. 

The Jocks needed a strong start to the second half and McDonnell delivered, converting a two-point free to swing the momentum back towards the Monasterboice men.

The sides exchanged scores before Hunterstown struck what looked to be a significant blow in the 42nd minute. Ward reacted quickest when a Ryan Burns free fell short, palming the ball to the net to put the Rovers ahead by a point.

However, the game turned decisively in the Mairtins favour when Dean Burns received a black card shortly afterwards.

Tom Gray, introduced from the bench, proved a major influence, landing a two-pointer in the 46th minute to put Naomh Mairtin back in front. Clutterbuck added another point before Murphy stretched the advantage further, and suddenly the Monasterboice side had a total grip on proceedings.

Gray then delivered the defining moment of the contest, finding the net in the 50th minute to leave Hunterstown facing an uphill battle. McDonnell added another two-pointer two minutes later, extending the lead to ten points and putting the champions firmly in control.

It was a remarkable turnaround from a side that had struggled for scores in previous games with the absence of Sam Mulroy.

Hunterstown refused to go quietly, with Donovan Sheridan converting a free before adding a two-point free in the 56th minute. Sam Scott also registered a point as the Rovers attempted to make a late impression, but the damage had already been done.

The result secures the champions’ place in the senior grade for 2027, bringing relief after a difficult campaign. Hunterstown, meanwhile, will play Intermediate football in 2027 after a disappointing return year to the senior grade.

Full-time: Naomh Mairtin 2-15 to Hunterstown Rovers 1-12.

Man of the Match: Dara McDonnell (Naomh Mairtin)

Dara McDonnell was a commanding presence for Naomh Mairtin as the Monasterboice men secured their senior status for 2027, delivering an outstanding all-round performance from centre half-back.

McDonnell finished with an impressive tally of 0-5, combining accuracy from placed balls with excellent scores from play.

Naomh Mairtin team: Craig Lynch; Cian Sands, Thomas Sullivan, Conor Healy; Evan Whelan (1-0), Dara McDonnell (0-5, 2tp(f) & 1f), Jack Murphy (0-4, 1tp); Adam Booth, Joe McGrane; Sean Healy, John Clutterbuck (0-2), Craig Callanan (0-1); Ben Callanan, Val Leddy, Charlie McDonnell.

Subs: Tom Gray (1-3, 1tp) for Ben Callanan 35 mins, Shane Morgan for Joe McGrane 55 mins, Mark Whelan for Craig Callanan 59 mins.

Hunterstown Rovers team: Donovan Sheridan (0-3, 1tpf & 1f); Euan Woodlock, Patrick Taaffe, Daithi Carroll; Cillian Taaffe (0-1), Micheal Reid, James Rogers; Jason Monaghan, James Russell; Colm Murphy, Tony McKenna, Dean Burns (0-1); Ciaran Russell, Ryan Ward (1-4, 1tpf & 2f), Ryan Burns (0-2, 1tp).

Subs: Sam Scott (0-1) for Cillian Taaffe 52 mins, Shane Halpenny for Jason Monaghan 53 mins.

Referee: Bryan Smith (O’Raghallaighs)