“MOCHTAS FINISH IN STYLE AS JOES FACE RELEGATION SCRAP”

Anchor Tours Senior Football Championship – Relegation Play-Off Semi-Final

St Mochtas 3-11 St Josephs 0-14

Venue: Protection and Prosperity Louth GAA Training Centre, Darver

Referee: Stephen Fitzpatrick (Clan na Gael)

St Mochtas brought the curtain down on their 2025 campaign in positive fashion as they secured victory over St Josephs in a lively and entertaining Anchor Tours Senior Football Championship Relegation Play-Off Semi-Final under lights in Darver on Friday night.

In a repeat of this year’s Cardinal O’Donnell Cup Final, few would have predicted these two sides to find themselves in the play-offs given their strong league campaigns. But while St Mochtas’ season now ends with relief, St Josephs are left with the pressure of another relegation showdown in two weeks’ time to preserve their senior status.

Fast Start

The game got off to a whirlwind opening, with both sides showing attacking intent from the first whistle. Dylan Farrell opened the scoring for St Mochtas inside the opening minute, only for St Josephs to respond immediately through Conal Smyth. Conal McCaul then slotted a well-worked score, linking up cleverly with Oisin McGuinness, to put the Joes in front.

The Mochtas, however, began to find their rhythm. Declan Byrne and Sean Flynn clipped over fine efforts before the game’s first major arrived in the 7th minute — Daire Quinn finishing coolly after terrific build-up play from Dylan Farrell.

Goals Prove Crucial

The breakthrough visibly lifted the Mochtas, and just minutes later they struck again. Declan Byrne turned over possession brilliantly before releasing Jamie Farrell, who drilled an unstoppable shot to the net to make it 2-3 to 0-3 after only ten minutes.

Smyth kept the Joes ticking over with his accuracy, but Mochtas’ spread of scorers was causing problems. Byrne tagged on a series of points — two from play and one from a free — while McGuinness and Quinn also added to the tally. At the break, Mochtas were firmly in command, leading 2-6 to 0-7.

Joes Battle Back

St Josephs came out determined in the second half and reeled off three excellent points in quick succession from McCaul, Ben Collier, and Gabriel Bell. That spell cut the deficit to just two points and gave them renewed belief.

But Mochtas steadied the ship, with Quinn converting a 45 and Declan Byrne adding a free. Shane Lennon chipped in with a fine point, and although the Joes kept battling — with McCaul, Collier, and Smyth raising white flags — they were always chasing the game.

Farrell Strikes Again

The decisive score arrived on 57 minutes. A clever pass from Craig Lennon split the Joes defence and Jamie Farrell made no mistake, rifling to the net for his second goal of the evening. That put Mochtas 3-10 to 0-13 ahead and effectively ended the contest.

The closing stages were heated, with tempers flaring in a late melee that resulted in St Josephs’ Killian Staunton being shown a second yellow card and dismissed. Craig Lennon rounded off the scoring with a superb point to seal a deserved 3-11 to 0-14 win.

Key Performers

For St Mochtas, Declan Byrne was the standout, contributing five points and leading by example around the middle third. Jamie Farrell’s two goals proved the game’s defining moments, while Shane Lennon also impressed in attack. At the back, Daniel Craven and Liam Lawlor stood strong.

St Josephs relied heavily on the sharp shooting of Conal Smyth, who finished with six points, while Conal McCaul and Ben Collier worked tirelessly to keep them in contention.

What’s Next

For St Mochtas, the win ensures they finish their season on a high note, maintaining their place in the senior ranks for 2026 and avoiding the dreaded relegation final.

For St Josephs, however, there is still work to be done. They must regroup quickly as they prepare for a do-or-die clash in two weeks’ time which will decide their senior fate.

Man of the Match

The award goes to Jamie Farrell (St Mochtas). His two brilliantly taken goals came at key moments, swinging momentum firmly in favour of the Louth Village men. Farrell’s sharp finishing and work rate made him a constant threat and proved the difference between the teams.

Honourable Mention: For St Josephs, Conal Smyth deserves huge credit. The forward kept his side’s hopes alive with six points, including several fine efforts from play, and was their most reliable outlet throughout.

St Mochtas: Daire O’Shea, Dylan Farrell 0-1, Ben Goss Kieran, Liam Lawlor, Oisin Callan, Andrew English, Daniel Craven, Sean Flynn 0-1, Shane Lennon 0-2, Gerry Garland, Daire Quinn 1-1 (45), Craig Lennon 0-1, Jamie Farrell 2-0, Declan Byrne 0-5 (2f), Ciaran Byrne.

Subs: Cormac Smyth for Andrew English (23), Conor Garland for Liam Lawlor (47), Liam O’Flaherty for Daire Quinn (60)

St Josephs: Shane Bannon, Rian Devlin, David Kieran, Ciaran Johnson, Ben McKeown, Cormac McKeown, Killian Staunton, Gabriel Bell 0-1, Conall McCaul 0-3 (1f), Oisin McGuinness 0-2 (1f), Craig Doherty, Pearse Grimes Murphy, Conal Smyth 0-6, Ben Collier 0-2 (1f), Alan Quigley.

Subs: Conor Neary for Alan Quigley (HT).