“Skinnader Leads Dreadnots Charge to Famous Win Over Mochtas”

Anchor Tours Louth Senior Football Championship – Group 2 – Round 1

Dreadnots 1-14 St Mochtas 0-15

Venue: Protection and Prosperity Louth GAA Training Centre, Darver

Referee: Stephen Murphy (Naomh Mairtin)

Dreadnots announced their return to the Anchor Tours Louth Senior Football Championship with a superb display on Sunday night, edging out one of the pre-championship favourites, St Mochtas, in a thrilling battle at the Protection and Prosperity Louth GAA Training Centre, Darver.

Despite coming into the championship with mixed league form and carrying notable absences, the Clogherhead men delivered a performance of grit, energy and passion. Backboned by county men Anthony Williams and Dermot Campbell, who both gave towering displays, Dreadnots never relented and were rewarded with a statement victory over the Mochtas.

Both sides were missing influential players, with St Mochtas lining out without Declan and Ciarán Byrne, while the Dreadnots were without James Califf and Conor Faulkner. The return of Jay Hughes from a year-long layoff with a serious knee injury provided a huge boost, and he would have a decisive say in the outcome.

First Half

The game began with intensity and precision on both sides. Sam Reilly opened the scoring for the Dreadnots after four minutes, but moments of individual brilliance quickly followed at the other end, none more so than Dara Quinn’s long-range two-pointer on seven minutes. Donnacha Skinnader nudged the Dreadnots back in front before classy efforts from Craig Lennon and Gerry Garland lit up the Mochtas’ attack.

The sides traded scores throughout a competitive first half, with Sean Flynn, Paraic Smith and Ciarán Finnegan all on target for the Dreadnots, while Craig Lennon, Gerry Garland and Quinn punished any lapse in discipline. Garland’s back-to-back efforts, showcasing his trademark accuracy, were particularly eye-catching.

By the interval, St Mochtas had built a narrow 0-8 to 0-5 advantage, looking every bit the favourites, but the Dreadnots had shown enough to suggest they weren’t going to fade.

Second Half

The restart saw the Mochtas extend their lead with early points from Quinn and Jamie Farrell, stretching their cushion to five. However, the Dreadnots dug deep and mounted a stunning fightback. Ciarán Cunningham and Callum Shevlin kicked vital scores before Paraic Smith produced a moment of inspiration with a brilliant two-pointer that lifted his side and the large Clogherhead following.

Momentum had shifted. Conor Clarke and Craig Shevlin added to the tally, while the introduction of Hughes after 44 minutes proved to be the game’s turning point. With the Mochtas defence stretched, Shevlin converted a two-pointer free before Hughes pounced on the endline, turned his marker brilliantly, and rifled a low shot into the bottom corner of the net on 50 minutes. It was a sensational finish – and the roar from the Dreadnots bench said it all.

Defensively, the Dreadnots also stood tall, with Campbell producing a heroic last-ditch block to deny Lennon a goal that might have swung the tie back towards the Mochtas. Clarke then landed another fine point to maintain their advantage.

The Mochtas, to their credit, refused to wilt. Sean Flynn and Quinn chipped away with frees, and substitute Philly Englisby brought fresh legs, but time and again the Dreadnots found answers. Even after Donnacha Hodgins was shown a late black card, the Clogherhead men managed the final minutes with maturity, closing out a famous 1-14 to 0-15 victory.

Key Performers

For the Mochtas, Quinn’s accuracy, Garland’s creativity and Craig Lennon’s class ensured they were never out of the contest, while Ben Goss Kieran impressed with his energy from the back.

For the winners, Conor Clarke and Craig Shevlin were tireless up front, Anthony Williams gave leadership in the middle, and Dermot Campbell was immense in defence. But it was Donnacha Skinnader who stood tallest – his high fielding, relentless work rate and crucial first-half score set the tone for the Dreadnots. Time and again he won possession in key areas and drove his team forward when the game was in the balance.

Man of the Match

Donnacha Skinnader (Dreadnots) – A commanding display full of industry and inspiration. His fielding, link play, and sheer determination epitomised the Dreadnots’ spirit on the night and provided the platform for their famous win.

Scorers

Dreadnots: Craig Shevlin 0-4 (2f, 1×2-pointer), Jay Hughes 1-0, Paraic Smith 0-3 (1×2-pointer),  Conor Clarke 0-2,  Donnacha Skinnader 0-1, Sam Reilly 0-1, Ciarán Finnegan 0-1, Ciarán Cunningham 0-1, Callum Shevlin 0-1.

St Mochtas: Dara Quinn 0-5 (1f, 1×45, 1×2-pointer), Sean Flynn 0-3 (2f), Gerry Garland 0-2, Craig Lennon 0-2,  Jamie Farrell 0-1, Ben Goss Kieran 0-1, Dylan Farrell 0-1,

Teams

Dreadnots: Dylan Cassidy; Aaron Scullion, Dermot Campbell, Padraig Rath; Donnacha Skinnader, Anthony Williams, Callum Skinnader; Leon Fox, Ciarán Cunningham; Ciarán Finnegan, Sam Reilly, Conor Clarke; Callum Shevlin, Paraic Smith, Craig Shevlin.
Subs: Jay Hughes for Callum Shevlin (44), Donnacha Hodgins for Sam Reilly (55).

St Mochtas: Dara O’Shea; Ben Goss Kieran, Liam Lawlor, Andrew English; Andrew Lennon, Darren McMahon, Sean Flynn; Shane Lennon, Gerry Garland; Craig Lennon, Cormac Smyth, Jamie Farrell; Dara Quinn, Daniel Craven, Dylan Farrell.
Subs: Liam O’Flaherty for Cormac Smyth (44), Owen Lennon for Liam Lawlor (44), Conor Garland for Daniel Craven (44), Philly Englisby for Jamie Farrell (48).