Naomh Mairtin 1-18 Newtown Blues 1-11
Naomh Mairtin buried the ghost of county finals past against the county kingpins, Newtown Blues at Integral Gaelic Grounds in Drogheda.
Beaten by the most successful side in the county on two occasions, at the same venue, the Mairtin's were in no mood to lose this afternoon.
Capping a fine season their talisman Sam Mulroy guided his side to their third Joe Ward with a first half penalty and a second half two pointer, that built up the sway of winning momentum. In truth, the Monasterboice side were much the better side and controlled matters for the majority.
Their dominance around the middle of the field had the Blues struggling for a platform. The performances of Dara McDonnell and Wayne Campbell aerially, were eye-catching throughout. With that platform, a purple patch before, halftime set the royal blues up for victory against the baby blue of the Newfoundwell men.
The occasion was a slow burner with both sides sizing each other up and letting the tension subside. Naomh Mairtin were guilty of long spells of possession without taking a shot and allowing the Drogheda side to hit them on the counter.
That put the Mairtins under pressure, with Conor Branigan loftedover the first and only orange flag of the first half. Mercurial Andy McDonnell also topped up that early advantage, slipping in for an easy score.
Then the unanswered 1-04 surge came from captain Eoghan Callagahan’s point. It seems everything Mulroy touched has turned to gold lately, he could well have an All-Star before the end of the year.
As he struck for a point he slipped and the dropping ball was key in Sean Healy getting fouled for a penalty.Mulroy stepped up and despite county colleague Ciaran Downey’s response the Blues trailed 1-08 to 0-06 at the interval.
Mairtin’s leading against the wind in the first half was a psychological edge, and the Blues would really rue that stat. As it would go, the wind picked up in the second half too.Manager Mattie Rice, who has worked with Davy Fitzgerald in Clare in the past, had one hand on the trophy when Mulroy lofted over on his weaker left foot.
Tom Gray pushed it out to seven point lead.Blues did not relent and came back in bursts, Conor Moore found the net and Ciaran Downey saved face with three scores in a row.However, on the day their minors and under 16s the week before won their 'A’ championship’s, Naomh Mairtin senior would not be denied. Callaghan clenched his fist in defiance with his side's final score, writing the many wrongs of the past.
Naomh Mairtin: Darren Morgan; Cian Sands, Thomas Sullivan, Conor Healy; Evan Whelan, Eoghan Callaghan (0-02), Jack Murphy (0-02 1tp); Adam Booth, Dara McDonnell (0-02); Wayne Campbell (0-01), Sam Mulroy (1-04, 1-00pen, 1tp, 1’45), Sean Healy; Tom Gray (0-04), Val Leddy, Darragh Dorian (0-03, 1tp).
Subs: Joe McGrane for Campbell (50), Craig Callanan for Leddy (58).
Newtown Blues: Johnny McDonnell; Alan Connor, Ciaran Cluskey Kelly, Daire Nally; Fergal Donohoe, Emmet Carolan, Andy McDonnell (0-01); Brian Kermode, Ryan Kelly; Conor Branigan (0-02, 1tp), Ciaran Downey (0-05, 1f), Conor MacCriosta; Jamie Kelly (0-01f), Conor Moore (1-00), Eoin McCoy (0-02).
Subs: Niall Devlin for Donohoe (ht), Colm Judge for Moore (49), Iollan Farrell for Kermode (50), Ross Nally for MacCriosta (58), Aidan O’Brien for McCoy (58).
Referee: Ultan McElroy (Kilkerley Emmets)
