Gaels upset Kickhams for Louth minor title

September 1997

DUNDALK Gaels upset favourites Cooley Kickhams to win their first Minor Championship since 1989.

In a curtain-raiser to the senior decider in Drogheda, the town team prevails on a 4-10 to 3-5 scoreline.

It is an entertaining game, with plenty of free-flowing football, and no shortage of goal- mouth action.

Cooley, are the fancy of many after beating holders, Oliver Plunkett’s in the semi-final.

Also, the team has enjoyed plenty of under-age success since 1994.

And it looks promising for the green-and-golds when they go in at half-time leading 2-1 to 0-5 after facing a stiff breeze, with goals from Mark Thornton and Emmet Clerkin.

However, they have no answer to the firepower of their opponents during the second period.

Just five minutes in, Paul Burke converts a penalty awarded for a foul on Pádraig Gollogly, giving Gaels a lead they never lose.

A Ciarán Culligan goal in the 53rd minute, is followed by another from Dónal Curran on the hour mark to make it 3-9 to 2-5.

There is time for Thornton to grab a consolation goal for Cooley, before Niall Craven adds Gaels’ fourth three-pointer.

It gives the final score a lop-sided look. Dundalk Gaels: Gearóid Brady; Noel Mahon, Conor Delaney, Dennis McKenna; Conor Matthews, Peter McGinnity, Darren Maguire; Pádraig Gollogly (0-3), John Galvin; Stephen Callanan (0-2), Paul Burke (1-1), Niall Craven (1-0); Dónal Curran (1-0), Ciarán Culligan (1-3), Paul Fee (0-1). Sub., Gerard Conlon for Curran.

Cooley Kickhams: Colin Holmes; Ciarán McGrath, Seán O’Neill, Damien Murphy; Cormac McCarthy, Alan Page, Emmet Page; Jonathan Clerkin, Paul Savage; Brian O’Reilly (0-1), Andrew Boyle, Seán McDonald (0-1); Mark Thornton (21), Ronan McParland, Emmet Clerkin (1-2). Sub., Ronan Hanlon for Savage.

Referee, Bob Doheny.