Colmcille’s land a historic IFC title

RATHKENNY’S footballers picked up their first silverware in a decade when edging out Moynalvey by a point in the Division 2 League Final, and St Vincent’s of Ardcath won the Junior B Championship. Seneschalstown bowed out in the last eight of the SFC when going down 2-16 to 0-5 against Donaghmore/ Ashbourne.

But it was St Colmcille’s who continued to make most of the headlines as they rode their luck to force extra time in the IFC semi-final against Walterstown before going on to record a nine-point win. Then, in the final it finished all square against Dunderry after the Piltown side had talisman Graham Reilly sent off after only two minutes.

Colm Nally’s charges finally landed the Holy Grail in the replay when they made light of Reilly’s absence through suspension to beat Dunderry 1-12 to 1-6 at Pairc Tailteann, sparking joyous scenes as skipper Ben Brennan lifted the Mattie McDonnell Cup.

It was a ‘grand ould’ day down the Quay as Sean O’Mahony’s clinched their first ever Louth SFC title with a stunning comeback against St Mary’s in Drogheda.

There was nothing between the sides until midway through the second-half when a Mark Fay goal helped St Mary’s establish a four-point lead. In a game of fine margins it seemed like a decisive moment, but O’Mahony’s never know when to quit and in the final few seconds when a high ball into to square pinged around for a few agonising seconds before Conor Crawley punched it emphatically to the net for the winning score.

On Halloween eve the Quay men made their way to Aughrim to take on Wicklow champions Baltinglass and in true O’Mahony’s fashion, they ground out a fine victory to secure a home quarter-final date against Kildare kingpins Sarsfields.

St Joseph’s overcame Carlow champions St Andrew’s to set up a Leinster quarter-final date with Paul Flynn’s Fingallians. After going toe-to-toe with the Dublin winners for three quarters of the contest, Wayne McKeever’s side just came up short.

Back at home Peter Kirwan inspired Dreadnots to their first senior trophy since 1988 as the seasiders saw off Geraldines in a thriller to clinch the O’Donnell Cup.

After a close first-half in the minor championship final, Naomh Mairtin blitzed holders Newtown Blues to land the Larry Murray Cup.