Newtown Blues are the new Louth senior champions

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Newtown Blues' Stephen Moonan lifts the Joe Ward Cup after his side's victory over Cooley Kickhams

Newtown Blues’ Stephen Moonan lifts the Joe Ward Cup after his side’s victory over Cooley Kickhams

The Newtown Blues are the Louth senior champions for the 20th time after beating Cooley Kickhams by 2-15 to 0-13 in yesterday’s County Final in Drogheda to lift the Joe Ward Cup for the first time since 2008.

Cooley, who were aiming for a first senior triumph since 1990, had started the game well by racing into a four point lead but a goal from man of the match Andy McDonnell midway through the first half proved to be the turning point.

That inspired the Blues to kick-on and by half-time they led by 1-5 to 0-5, with unanswered points from Colm Judge, Derek Kierans, Andy McDonnell and John Kermode.

Cooley did manage to level shortly after the restart following three successive points of their own but a Kickhams revival was ended when substitute Conor Brannigan fired home with almost his first touch of the game to leave it 2-5 to 0-8.

That proved the killer blow as the Blues coasted to victory with captain Stephen Moonan going on to collect the cup at the end.

Elsewhere in Louth at the weekend, Kilkerley Emmets secured their senior status for next season with a 1-8 to 0-4 victory over Glyde Rangers that condemns the Tallanstown outfit to the intermediate ranks for next season.

Kilkerley had led by just a point with three minutes remaining but a mistake by Glyde keeper Gerard Carroll, which saw him allow a Ray Mulholland shot creep over the line, sparked a fine finish to the game for the eventual winners as they hit 1-3 without reply.

There were also celebrations for the Geraldines, who won the Louth Minor title by beating St Mary’s by 4-9 to 1-9. The Blackrock and Haggardstown outfit will now be aiming to complete a double when they take on neighbours St Brides in the Intermediate Championship final next weekend.

NEWTOWN BLUES: Conor Barton; Paul Moore, Thomas Costello, Niall Costello; Stephen Moonan, Eoghan Judge, James Murray; Keith Lynch (0-1), Colm Judge (0-3); John Kermode (0-1), Hugh McGinn (0-3), Andy McDonnell (1-3); Derek Kierans (0-1), Barry Sharkey, Robert Carr. Subs: Jamie Carr for Barry Sharkey, Brian Kermode for Thomas Costello (blood sub), Conor Brannigan (1-3) for Robert Carr, Brian Kermode for James Murray.

COOLEY KICKHAMS: Neil Gallagher; Richard Brennan, Keith White, Alan Page; Patrick McGrath, Conor McGuinness, Shane Marks; Brian Donnelly (0-2), Conor Rafferty; Aoghan McGuinness (0-1), Brian White (0-4), Darren Marks; Patrick Sheelan (0-3), Sean Donnelly, Ciaran Sheelan (0-1). Subs: Sean McDonald (0-1) for Sean Donnelly, Pj McGivern for Conor Rafferty, Michael Rafferty (0-1) for Darren Marks, Sean O’Neill for Shane Marks.