Famous day as Dundalk Gaels win Leinster

JANUARY 2004

DUNDALK Gaels create history by capturing a provincial title following a four-point win over Arles/Killeen (2-5 to 0-7) at Páirc na nGael on The Ramparts.

Leinster Council chairman Nicky Brennan is present to hand over the trophy to Peter McGinnity.

The captain’s luck holds as he also wins the toss for home advantage after Gaels see off Erin Rovers in the semi-final.

The team managed by Paul Lynch starts the Leinster competition in tame fashion when Navan O’Mahony’s concede a walk-over, but it soon hots up with a dramatic extra-time victory against St. Maur’s (Dublin) in the quarter-final.

Then it’s off to Pullough in Co. Offaly for another exciting joust which sees Gaels eclipse Erin Rovers on a 2-13 to 3-8 scoreline.

Brian ‘Beano’ McDonald and Donie Brennan are a couple of the big names on the Arles/Killeen side but despite getting among the scorers they are unable to guide the Laois champions to glory.

The first half finishes 1-2 to 0-4, the hosts boosted by the first of two Andrew Coleman goals.

Arles/Killeen equalise but the third quarter belongs to Gaels. At the end of it they show 2-4 to 0-5 ahead, and the lead could be greater.

McDonald converts a free to leave a goal between them before McGinnity makes certain with a point following a pass from sub Cormac McArdle.

Dundalk Gaels: Stephen Faulkner; Noel Mahon, Aidan Delaney, Paul Grier; Ray Rooney (01), Peter McGinnity (0-1), Conor Delaney; David McDonnell, Martin Harvey; Derek Crilly, Stephen Coleman, Ciarán Culligan; Anthony McSorley, David Coleman (0-2, 1f ), Andrew Coleman (2-0). Subs., Cormac McArdle (0-1, f ) for McSorley, Niall McCabe for McDonnell, Seán Fee for Culligan.