Kelly has food for thought
LOUTH returned to competitive action in the O Fiaich Cup, giving as good as they got for long periods against Tyrone.
The Ulster men booked a place in the final against hosts Armagh, but some new recruits gave Colin Kelly plenty of food for thought.
The Louth County Grounds was the major issue at annual Convention as treasurer Aidan Berrill insisted that if work hadn’t started on the project within 12 months everyone would have failed in their duty to Louth GAA.
St Joseph’s CBS retained their Lennon Cup crown with a deserved victory over Bush PP.
St Fechin’s made it five in a row in the Minor Hurling Championship with victory over Naomh Moninne in the final.
St Colmcille’s outstanding season in Meath football ended on a gloomy note when they lost to Blackhall Gaels in a promotion/relegation play-off and were consigned to Division 2 football in 2017, although spirits were lifted somewhat when James Conlon was voted Meath Young Player of the Year and the club also won a Public Relations award.
Joe Sheridan made a sensational return to inter-county football when lining out as a second-half substitute goalkeeper in an SF Challenge against Roscommon.
Supporters’ Player of the Year Aaron Ashe became the most high-profile member of the promotion-winning Drogheda United squad to leave, after Pete Mahon declined to offer him a new contract. But the manager hinted that another imminent signing had partly forced his hand, and that proved to be the case as Tenure native Thomas Byrne - the Republic of Ireland Under-19 international - followed Shamrock Rovers’ Gavin Brennan in signing for the Drogs after being released from his contract with English Championship club Brighton.
Ciaran Carroll was the match-winner as Newfoundwell won 1-0 away to St Saviours of Waterford to move to within four games of an Aviva Stadium FAI Junior Cup decider, and they then put nine goals past town neighbours Lourdes Celtic in the Tully Bookmakers Cup.
Boyne Harps moved up towards mid-table in the Premier Division with a notable win over Trim Celtic, but manager Pete Brennan confirmed that he was leaving the club. Black Bull ended the year top of Division 1.
Eamonn Maguire, a former teacher at St Oliver’s CC, captained Team Ireland at the World Golf Championship for visually impaired golfers in Japan and finished sixth.
There was a big turnout at Laytown & Bettystown Golf Club’s Junior Captain’s Dinner and Awards Evening, where European Tour veteran Des Smyth was the special guest.
Slane native Denise Rice ended a great year in fine style by passing her 2nd Degree black belt exam in taekwon-do.
Pamela Howard (Drogheda & District), again had to settle for a runner-up finish behind Dunleer AC’s Karen Costello, this time at the Louth Masters Cross-Country Championships, held in Togher, while Christmas came early for Dunleer AC starlet Erinn Leavy as she stormed home to an impressive victory in the Under-11 race at the National Cross-Country Championships staged in Dundalk. Togher native Emily Rogers marked her return from a break from competition with a new personal best of 1.77m for the high jump at the Baseline Indoor meeting in Athlone IT.
Cushinstown AC were presented with the Development Club of the Year accolade by Athletics Ireland and Derek Reilly won the Duleek & District AC Club Athlete of the Year award.
December proved a busy month for Drogheda School of Karate as the club’s Annual Winter Course & Grade Examinations were followed by the completion of a Ladies Self-Defence course and then the 40th Annual Christmas Competitions and Children’s Christmas Party.
Duleek native Mick McGowan qualified for the first round of darts’ PDC World Championship, but was knocked out in the first round.