“McKeown Masterclass as Dundalk Gaels Outgun Roche Emmets”

Anchor Tours Louth Senior Football Championship – Group 1, Round 1

Dundalk Gaels 2-13 Roche Emmets 0-9

Venue: Fr McEvoy Park, Cooley

Referee: Bryan Smith (O’Raghallaighs)

Dundalk Gaels underlined their championship credentials with a commanding ten-point victory over Roche Emmets in a picturesque Fr McEvoy Park on Saturday evening, as their potent forward line of Dylan McKeown, Tony McDonnell, and Thomas O’Connell inspired them to a strong second-half showing.

The first half was an evenly matched affair where Roche Emmets enjoyed plenty of possession but struggled badly with accuracy in front of goal. Despite their dominance in patches, missed chances left the door open for the Gaels, who sat deep, soaked up pressure, and hit back clinically on the counter. At the break, the sides were level at 0-5 apiece, with Barry O’Hare carrying much of Roche’s scoring threat and McKeown and O’Connell keeping the Gaels in touch.

The second half, however, saw the game swing dramatically in the Gaels’ favour. Their movement off the ball and slick attacking combinations began to stretch the Roche defence, and with their marquee forwards coming into full flow, the outcome was quickly decided.

First Half – Missed Chances Cost Roche

The opening score came on four minutes when Dylan McKeown cleverly created space for Thomas O’Connell to slot over the first point of the evening. Roche soon found their rhythm, with DD Reilly’s sweet strike levelling matters, and moments later O’Connell responded again with a well-taken score.

Barry O’Hare was central to Roche’s challenge, converting a free after a Gaels defensive infringement and then landing a superb point from play, while McKeown and O’Connell continued to trouble the Roche rearguard at the other end. Despite dominating territory, Roche’s wayward shooting and a number of squandered chances meant they failed to build a decisive cushion. By half-time, the teams were locked at 0-5 each, leaving everything to play for.

Second Half – Gaels Take Control

Within minutes of the restart, Dundalk Gaels announced their intent. McKeown clipped over a point before O’Connell pounced to rifle home the game’s opening goal, a fine finish that finally punished Roche’s earlier wastefulness. Though Liam Dawe briefly reduced the deficit with a point, Gaels’ momentum was building.

McKeown was again central, adding frees and a brilliant long-range two-pointer, while substitute Chris Sweeney slotted in seamlessly with a fine score. Roche’s frustration was evident as James McDonnell and Shane Byrne both saw yellow cards in a bruising spell.

The decisive blow arrived on 50 minutes when Louth Under 20 star Tony McDonnell showed his strength to win possession inside, turn his man, and crash the ball to the net for Gaels’ second goal. That strike effectively killed the contest, putting the Ramparts men nine points clear.

From there, the Gaels played with freedom and confidence. Further points from McKeown, McDonnell, Sweeney and substitute Tómas Kavanagh stretched the margin, with Roche managing only sporadic responses through O’Hare’s frees.

Standout Performers

For the winners, Dylan McKeown once again underlined why he is one of the county’s brightest attacking talents, scoring heavily from both play and placed balls. Tony McDonnell’s strength and finishing power, capped by his superb goal, made him another standout, while Thomas O’Connell’s early scores and crucial first goal provided the spark when the game was in the balance.

For Roche, Barry O’Hare was their main outlet, landing a string of fine points under pressure, while Liam Dawe also battled hard in attack. Goalkeeper Evin Quigley produced a couple of vital saves to prevent an even heavier defeat.

Scorers

• Dundalk Gaels: Dylan McKeown (0-7, 3f, 1 ’45, 1 mark), Tony McDonnell (1-2), Thomas O’Connell (1-2), Chris Sweeney (0-1), Tómas Kavanagh (0-1).
• Roche Emmets: Barry O’Hare (0-6, 3f), DD Reilly (0-1), Liam Dawe (0-1), Shane Byrne (0-1).

Teams

Dundalk Gaels: Aaron Culligan; James Lynch, James O’Connell, Padraic Tinnelly; Luke Murray, Alan Jumbo, Sean Murray; James Stewart, David McComish; Dylan McKeown, Jordan Keating, Cain Bromley; Thomas O’Connell, Tony McDonnell, Liam O’Connor.
Subs: Shaun Duffy for L O’Connor (20), Chris Sweeney for D McComish (48), Tomás Kavanagh for C Bromley (55), Tom Murphy for L Murray (60), Sean Lambert for T McDonnell (60).

Roche Emmets: Evin Quigley; James McDonnell, Sean Connolly, Marc Murphy; Fionn Connolly, David Quigley, Gerry Browne; Peter Lynch, Glen Stewart; Sean Dawe, Liam Dawe, Conor Carthy; Diarmuid Reilly, Shane Byrne, Barry O’Hare.
Sub: Mark Byrne for A McArdle (HT).

Man of the Match – Dylan McKeown (Dundalk Gaels)

While Thomas O’Connell’s goal just after half-time turned the tide and Tony McDonnell’s second green flag sealed the win, it was Dylan McKeown who stood tallest throughout. The county forward was a constant threat with his movement and clinical finishing, notching seven points in total, including frees, a ’45, and a spectacular two-pointer. His ability to create space and punish Roche on the counter made him the standout performer on a night when Dundalk Gaels’ attack clicked into gear.