Blues come good to pip Mairtin’s
SUPPORTERS TURN OUT IN FORCE FOR A UNIQUE FINAL PAIRING THAT ENDED WITH THE CHAMPS EDGING GLORY
DESPITE being outplayed for much of the game, the Newtown Blues are the Louth SFC kingpins for a second year in a row after a dramatic victory over Naomh Mairtin on Sunday. Six points down at half time, the Blues had to rely on a late Ross Nally goal and a subsequent Conor Branigan point to snatch the JoeWard away from the Monasterboice men who put in a wonderful display.
IN TRUTH, THE BEST TEAM LOST, BUT THE BLUES ARE BATTLERS TO THE FINISH
TO a man they fell back onto the green turf of the Gaelic Grounds, looked up to the sky and wondered - what if, what if.
Naomh Mairtin and their loyal crew tasted cruel defeat in Sunday’s Louth SFC final, even the most hardened of the Blues support admitting that the Monasterboice side were the better side for long periods of this dramatic clash.
Paul Berrill’s goal had helped them to a six point wind assisted lead at the break and even as the second half motored on, it looked as if the Blues didn’t have that killer touch on the day.
But then along came Ross Nally to find the net and when Conor Branigan hoisted over a great score with time almost up, the greatest of comebacks had been achieved.
Full credit to the Newtown Blues because they lived up to their reputation as true fighters, refusing to allow their heads to drop when the going got tough and digging as deep as they have ever had to do to win this one.
The Mairtin’s must wonder what they have to do to bring Joe Ward back to Monasterboice, but they showed enough last Sunday to suggest they’ll be around for a while to come.
Problem is, the Blues might not be going anywhere fast. fast
Full credit to the O’Raghallaigh’s for the organisation of Sunday’s game, with the pitch looking great as ever.
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