“Rampant Newtown Blues Dethrone Ardee St Marys To Ignite Championship”
Anchor Tours Senior Football Championship
Quarter-Final
From Integral GAA Grounds in Drogheda
Referee: Cathal Sweeney (Stabannon Parnells)
Ardee St Marys : 1-14
Newtown Blues : 2-17
Analysis
Newtown Blues ignited the Senior Championship with a spectacular display to dethrone the 3-in-a-row champions Ardee St Marys and book their spot in the final four.
A blistering 15-minute spell in which Newtown Blues outscored Ardee by 1-6 to 0-3 laid waste to the Ardee kickout provided the platform for a memorable victory, avenging last year’s painful semi-final loss at the hands of the same opposition.
On the 42nd minute Kian Moran kicked a point to send Ardee’ two clear. Then came the game’s decisive spell between the 43rd minute and full time, a ravenous Newtown Blues’ hitting the champions with a blitz, using the ball so-well and racking up a variety of scores.
Jamie Kelly was to the fore throughout, finishing with a haul of 0-2, though, a lot of his best work came in general play, seeming to always be on the ball in a largely tit-for-tat game. Drove at the Marys time and time again, causing huge problems.
Another decisive moment was the second half subsitution which saw the arrival of Niall Devlin who provided further impetus, while Ciaran Downey was at his classy best, curling over 0-6 including a majestic two-pointer in the second half. The Blues’ winning burst was best defined by a Daire Nally two-point free from the deck, out near the sideline on the clubhouse side of the O’Raghallaighs pitch– a pure footballer who showed quality under serious pressure.
The Blues’ commentariat would have been concerned following a gut-wrenching loss to Naomh Mairtin in the group stage. A late defeat that resembled a fimilar tale for this Blues’ side in recent years. Ardee stung them late in the 2020 semi final, 2021 they lost at the same stage to Naomh Mairtin, 2022 they had two classic finals with Ardee – losing narrowly in the replay, 2023 they escaped the relegation playoff and 2024 they lost to Ardee in a Semi Final. To bottle all that and produce what they did is remarkable, John Kermode and his charges deserves huge plaudits for this.
Aside from the Blues’ blitz period, the game was tit-for-tat, though, the Drogheda sides spiteful intensity was apparent from early on. Driven by their desire to flip the script on favourites St Mary’s, Newtown Blues were fired up early. None more so than Andy McDonnell who as usual, set the tone with the edge he thrives on.
Newtown Blues were awesome under pressure especially in their defensive zone. Alan Connor, Daire Nally and Fergal Donohue epitomised composure under pressure as they drove beyond the Ardee’ press in unique fashion. It is what makes Kermode’s side what they are, they play football in a natural way. Emmett Carolan controlled it all as usual, operating in a centre-half position that he has off to a tee.
Ardee St Marys do that too. Great champions. Tom Jackson kept the spark in the Ardee’ fire throughout. He has been their most consistent player in this championship, constantly looking for the ball and trying to make it happen. He kicked a superb two-pointer in the second half and went close to a brilliant goal near the end. Sean Callaghan was flawless in the middle for large spells as he towered through the air time and time again. Keelin Martin full debuted today and looked comfortable. Our preview stressed the Donal McKenny injury factor and they felt it today, not only to go toe-to-toe with Ciaran Downey but his general level of organisation is what sets him apart. Louth U20 star Adam Gillespie could have been introduced earlier or from the start to add a much different element to this line and this may be pondered over in the coming months.
There main marksmen were marshalled well and this was a huge reason as to their defeat. They looked dangerous but not at their frightening best. Daire Nally adapted to a new position under Ger Brennan for Louth this year and Kermode used this effectively today as he detailed Nally to Ciaran Keenan. Nally is a classy operator, his unique defensive style kept Keenan under control today. So effective with both his footwork and tackling, never fouling – always on point, waiting for the right moment. Ciaran Cluskey-Kelly physcially matched up well with Dáire McConnon, getting out in front on numerous occasions. Two Great battles and even better to see two teams allowing these 1v1’s happen.
Blow by Blow Account
1st Half
01:19 – Ciaran Downey curls the free over (0-0 to 0-1)
02:07 – Unbelievable 2-pointer from Conor Branigan (0-0 to 0-3)
04:42 – Nice free from Carl Gillespie (0-1 to 0-3)
5:47 – Tiernan Markey free after a Newtown Blues breach off a kickout (0-2 to 0-3)
Yellow card for Jonathan Commins. Proper battle happening with him and Andy McDonnell
11:07 – Jamie Kelly off the right (0-2 to 0-4)
11:54 – Peach of a point from Daire McConnon (0-3 to 0-4)
13:07 – GOAL! Excellent move – Conor Moore palms to the net (0-3 to 1-4)
14:01 – Shane Matthews after a nice move (0-4 to 1-4)
15:41 – GOAL! Ciaran Keenan buries it. Tom Jackson done brilliantly before (1-4 to 1-4) DRAW.
16:32 – Conor MacCriosta off a loop! (1-4 to 1-5)
19:31 – Ciaran Downey off the left (1-4 to 1-6)
21:23 – Jonathan Commins close range free (1-5 to 1-6)
24:09 – Carl Gillespie levels with a close range free (1-6 to 1-6)
27:44 – Class one off the left from Tommy Durnin (1-7 to 1-6)
28:41 – Fergal Donoghue points (1-7 to 1-7)
Half Time. Ardee St Marys 1-7 : 1-7 Newtown Blues
2nd Half
00:16 – Shane Matthews opens the second half scoring (1-8 to 1-7)
Last ditch block to deny Ciaran Keenan
07:31 – Jamie Kelly levels with a close range free (1-8 to 1-8)
08:13 – Conor Branigan gets a point after good work by Downey (1-8 to 1-9)
11:41 – Serious 2-pointer from Tom Jackson (1-10 to 1-9)
12:38 – Kian Moran points from close range (1-11 to 1-9)
13:44 – Level again, classy free from Ciaran Downey, 2 pointer (1-11 to 1-11)
14:16 – Niall Devlin has an impact, sending them one clear (1-11 to 1-12)
18:21 – Tiernan Markey free from the deck (1-12 to 1-12)
21:42 – 3/up breach, big blow. Tiernan Markey punishes it with 2 from the floor (1-14 to 1-12)
22:50 – WHAT A GOAL! Fergal Donoghue (1-14 to 2-12)
26:37 – FROM DOWNTOWN! Daire Nally lands a 2-pointer from the deck (1-14 to 2-14)
29:09 – Ciaran Downey free (1-14 to 2-15)
30:49 – 3/up breach. Ciaran Downey takes the one, 3 minutes additional time (1-14 to 2-16)
31:41 – Conor Moore adds the sealing score (1-14 to 2-17)
Full Time. Ardee St Marys 1-14 : 2-17 Newtown Blues
In 2020, it was roles reversed. Ardee St Marys spoiled the Newtown Blues 4-in-a-row chase. Today, Newtown Blues spoiled the Ardee’ chase to four. A defiant Newtown Blues performance in one of the great Louth Championship games.
Player of the Match:
Fergal Donohue (Newtown Blues)
Swithced from attack and defense all game long. Off-the-ball, he was flawless – picking up positions which led to him winning so much dirty ball. Spoiled a lot of Ardee’s good play, including paying close attention to county man Tommy Durnin. Struck the games vital goal and also got the important point that sent the sides in level at the break. Work rate 10 out of 10.
Notables:
Jamie Kelly (Newtown Blues)
Kelly was a close, close second. He was magnificient all game long. The biggest compliment you could pay Kelly is that he never shies away or sherks responsibility. He goes looking for it and was repeatedly on the ball. A persistent driven force for his side that Ardee just could not get to grips with.
Tom Jackson (Ardee St Marys)
Jackson warrants huge kudos for his sheer consistency in the Ardee jersey. A naturally gifted footballer who is the centre of the Ardee machine. Hit a beautiful two-pointer and carried the fight.
Ardee St Marys Team:
Tiernan Markey (0-4, 4f); Noah Coyle, Éimhín Keenan, Páraic McKenny; Keelin Martin, Karl Faulkner, Carl Gillespie (0-2, 2f); Tommy Durnin (0-1), Sean Callaghan; Kian Moran (0-1), Tom Jackson (0-2), Jonathan Commins (0-1, 1f); Ciarán Keenan (1-0), Dáire McConnon (0-1), Shane Matthews (0-2).
Subs: Adam Gillespie for Jonathan Commins (40 Mins), Tadhg McDonnell for Noah Coyle (51 Mins), Ronan Carroll for Kian Moran (58 Mins)
Newtown Blues Team:
Johnny McDonnell; Alan Connor, Ciaran Cluskey Kelly, Daire Nally (0-2, 2f); Fergal Donohue (1-1), Emmett Carolan, Conor Mac Criosta (0-1); Brian Kermode, Andy McDonnell; Ryan Kelly, Ciaran Downey (0-6, 5f), Conor Branigan (0-3); Jamie Kelly (0-2, 1f), Conor Moore (1-1), Eoin McCoy.
Subs: Niall Devlin (0-1) for Eoin McCoy for (34 Mins), Colm Judge for Andy McDonnell (46 Mins), Aiden O’Brien for Brian Kermode (59 Mins)
