Thriller Ends in Deadlock: Blues and Mochtas Set to Clash Again

At Integral GAA Grounds, Drogheda

Newtown Blues 1-15 St Mochtas 1-15

St Mochtas legend Declan Byrne landed an outstanding two-point free in the 61st minute to send the Anchor Tours Louth Senior Football Championship Final to a replay in six days time at the same venue.

In a game that swung back and forth, there will be no major complaints about watching part two of Newtown Blues versus St Mochtas after a gripping Joe Ward decider at Integral GAA Grounds on Sunday afternoon.

Newtown Blues, managed by Johnny Clerkin, led by five-points when Ross Nally pointed on the 50th minute, but Kevin McClorey’s men were determined to stick by their ‘now is our time’ mantra and they truly did so in the closing stages.

With six days to stew over today’s events, St Mochtas will be the more grateful of the sides to get a second bite at the cherry, but their glaring inaccuracy in front of goal, really let them down on the biggest day in Louth GAA’s club calender.

Ciaran Byrne opened the scoring on the 5th minute, with a score greeted by a huge roar by over 2,000 people in attendance in Drogheda.

Ross Nally hit the Drogheda sides first score of the game in the 10th minute

Conor MacCriosta of Newtown Blues in action against Dylan Farrell of St Mochtas © Ciaran Culligan

The Louth Village men then added a major with Gerry Garland palming to the net after some neat build-up play by Shane and Andrew Lennon in the 12 minute to make it 0-1 to 1-1.

In typical Blues fashion, they responded with quality, aided by an extremely high press that for a period of time, St Mochtas struggled to beat.

Ross Nally added another majestic score before Andy McDonnell, Liam Branigan and Jamie Kelly (0-2) added scores to send the Blues 0-6 to 1-1 clear after 16 minutes.

Tipperary native Sean Flynn stopped the rot for St Mochtas after a superb cross-field pass by Declan Byrne. Byrne knocked over two frees before the break, with Conor Branigan squeezing a point in between for the Blues.

Half Time: Newtown Blues 0-7 St Mochtas 1-4

The Blues grabbed hold of the game after the interval with a two-pointer from the flying Conor MacCriosta.

Louth star Emmett Carolan then hit a goal after a flowing team move from Newtown Blues, they now led 1-9 to 1-4 with 33 minutes played.

The village men responded once again.

Ben Goss Kieran and Decky Byrne notched over single points to bring the game back to one score.

Daire Nally of Newtown Blues attempts a diving block as Ciaran Byrne of St Mochtas shoots © Ciaran Culligan

However, the impressive Ross Nally pinged a beauty with the outside of his boot to raise an orange flag on the 40th minute.

Declan Byrne cancelled this out almost immediately with a two-point free and another free. Conor Branigan replied for Newtown Blues in a hectic period of the game. 1-12 to 1-9 with 15 minutes remaining.

Jamie Kelly added a point for the Newfoundwell men and when Ross Nally landed another point on the 50th minute, it looked like they were ready to turn the final bend for home.

Inside forwards Shane Lennon and Casey Byrne got important scores to stem the tide. Conor Branigan landed a superb point before full-back Alan Connor was inches away from sealing the game only for a heroic piece of goalkeeping by Mochtas’ goalkeeper Daire O’Shea.

Andy McDonnell of Newtown Blues and Sean Flynn of St Mochtas battle for possession © Ciaran Culligan

Trailing by four, it was their commander-in-chief Declan Byrne who ensured that his faithful were not leaving disappointed. Two late two-point frees by the man with nerves of steel sent the enthralling decider to a replay.

Full Time: Newtown Blues 1-15 St Mochtas 1-15

Man of the Match: 

Ross Nally: Nally rolled back the years with a movement clinic. He looked so sharp and landed five outstanding points.

Declan Byrne: Cometh the hour, Cometh the man. The most clutch of scores when his side needed them most.

Newtown Blues team: Ronan Brown; Alan Connor, Ciaran Cluskey-Kelly, Ian Connor; Liam Branigan (0-1), Daire Nally, Conor Branigan (0-3); Emmett Carolan (1-0), Ryan Kelly; Conor Mac Criosta (0-2, 1tp), Ciaran Downey, Jamie Kelly (0-3, 1f); Conor Moore, Andy McDonnell (0-1), Ross Nally (0-5, 1tp).

Subs: Sean Marron for Darren McMahon 40 mins, Philip Englishby for Jamie Farrell 47 mins, Daniel Craven for Connell Kearins 52 mins, Cormac Smyth for Danny Kindlon 58 mins.