The mighty Blues are the champions

THE NEWTOWN Blues have done it again!

The noted Drogheda combination captured the Joe Ward Cup for the sixth time during the present decade when they beat Cooley Kickhams by 1-9 to 2-5 at St. Brigid’s Park, Dundalk, on Sunday, to bring the club’s total to ten, having won their first title away back in 1888. .

Sunday’s victory was certainly hard-earned, but there could have been very few among the 4,000 spectators present who would disagree that victory went to the better side.

Cooley had speed, enthusiasm and determination but they lacked the most important asset necessary in a final and that was experience.

It was still Cooley as the game entered the 2nd quarter and when they led by 1-4 to 0-1 with 17 minutes gone their supporters were happy indeed. But their elation was tempered somewhat when Liam Leech took a free from the left corner and Jim Judge rising to the ball like only he can flicked it to the net in the 18th minute.

Prior to this John Woods and Leo Magee had been on top at midfield. while Harry McCarthy, Tom and Seamus Savage were having the best of it with their opposite numbers. Shortly afterwards Blues switched Jimmy Mulroy to the 40 and brought back Jim Judge to centre-half and from then on it was clearly evident that the champions were now on even keel.

Liam Leech roved at will around midfleld and with Paul Judge and Danny Nugent finding chinks in the Cooley defence, especially the right flank, Blues were well on their way to their 10th title.

Their defence in the meantime had tightened up considerably and with Tom Black who, without a doubt, was having his best game ever and Peter Me Kenna also settling down, the Cooley attack was in subdued mood for the remainder of the opening period.

Val Murphy who had come on for Jim Downey, brought a great save from the keeper at one stage.

The Ardee Band paraded the teams around the pitch and there was two minutes silence observed in memory of the late Mr. Tom Burke, who was a Hon. President of the Louth Co. Board.

The champions — Matt Murphy (Capt.), Peter McKenna. Frank Fagan, Tom Black. Val Murphy, Jimmy Mulroy, Mai Judge, Gerry Clifford, Liam Leech, Jim Downey. Jim Judge, Danny Nugent, Andy Whelan, Oliver Judge, Paul Judge. Subs—Paddy Leech for Val Murphy, Val Murphy for Jim Downey.