Late Reid point brings Pat’s long unbeaten run to an end

Mattock captain Robbie Brennan raises the Cardinal O’Donnell Cup at full-time on Sunday

A stoppage time point from David Reid saw Mattock Rangers end county champions St Patrick’s two year unbeaten run as the Collon outfit ran out 1-12 to 0-14 winners at Dunleer on Sunday to land the Cardinal O’Donnell Cup.

Pat’s had been favourites to complete a second consecutive league and championship double but found themselves 1-7 to 0-8 in arrears at the break after Daniel Bannon’s goal had settled Mattock after they had fallen three points behind early on.

Five consecutive points on the restart from Eoghan Lafferty, Daniel O’connor, Eamon Breen, Conor Grogan and Aidan McCann looked to have put the Lordship men on course for victory as it stood 0-13 to 1-7 after 46 minutes.

However, three injuries proved costly as points from David Reid, Christy Grimes and Adrian Reid brought Mattock level at 1-10 to 0-13 with five minutes to go.

Grimes then fired Mattock in front before Paddy Keenan equalised but Reid ensured the win for Mattock with a last gasp point, allowing captain Robbie Brennan to lift the cup.

Mattock Rangers: Jason McKeown; Ivor Sherlock, David Brennan, Sean Gilsenan; Terry Donegan 0-1, Daire Englishby, Niall Callan; Daniel Bannon 1-0, Adrian Reid 0-1; Hugh Donnelly, Christy Grimes 0-4, Ryan Leneghan; Aaron O’Brien, Robbie Brennan, David Reid 0-6. Sub: Alan Caraher for R Leneghan.

St Patrick’s: Barry Corcoran; Kevin Toner, Darren O’Hanlon, Patrick Kirk; Kevin White, Dessie Finnegan, Owen Zamboglou; Paddy Keenan 0-3, Eamonn Breen 0-1; Aidan McCann 0-1, Karl White 0-2, Eoghan Lafferty 0-1; Daniel O’Connor 0-4, Eoin O’Connor, Conor Grogan 0-2. Subs: Alan O’Connor for E Lafferty, Cathal Grogan for K White, Daniel Rice for P Kirk.

Louth come from behind to see off Clare

Louth produced a superb second half display to see off Clare on a 1-16 to 0-13 scoreline in Drogheda yesterday.

The victory was a first for manager Colin Kelly since taking charge with the basis for the success coming from the fact that the Wee County held their opponents scoreless for the closing 27 minutes of the game.

Despite trailing early on, a brace of Conor Grimes points helped the home side back into it with an Adrian Reid goal on 20 minutes putting the Wee County 1-5 to 0-5 ahead.

It was Clare who finished the half the stronger, however, with the next four points to lead by 0-9 to 1-5 at half-time.

Substitute Derek Maguire briefly brought the Wee County level on the restart but Clare would go on to hit four of the next five points to lead by three points after 43 minutes.

That was as good as it got for the Banner men though as Ryan Burns, Declan Byrne and substitute Shane O’Hanlon chipped in with some outstanding late scores to help the Wee County to a six point win in the end.

Louth’s next game is at home to Wexford on Sunday March 1^st.

Louth: N Gallagher; K Toner, P Reilly, P Rath; D Crilly, D Finnegan, D O’Hanlon; B Duffy, E O’Connor; A Reid (1-1), D O’Connor, D Byrne (0-2, 1f); R Burns (0-5, 2f), C Grimes (0-3), C Judge (0-3, 1f). Subs: R Moore for E O’Connor, 33 mins; D Maguire (0-1) for D O’Connor, HT; A Williams for D Crilly, 40; J Stewart for D O’Hanlon, 44; S O’Hanlon (0-1) for A Reid (BC), 67.

Louth name side for league opener against Fermanagh

Louth have named their team for Saturday night’s National Football League Division Three opener against Fermanagh in Brewster Park (throw-in 7pm).

Five players – Paddy Reilly, Adrian Reid, Eoin O’Connor, Brian Donnelly and Colm Judge – will all be featuring for the first time this season.

Colin Kelly will be hoping for a first victory since taking over from Aidan O’Rourke when he brings his side to Enniskillen.

The team in full is: Neil Gallagher; Kevin Toner, Patrick Reilly, Darren O’Hanlon; Derek Crilly, Padraig Rath, Adrian Reid; Brian Donnelly, Eoin O’Connor; Bevan Duffy, Colm Judge, Declan Byrne; Ryan Burns, Daniel O’Connor, Derek Maguire.

Meanwhile, The Louth GAA Supporters’ Club are running a bus to Louth’s National Football League Division Three opener against Fermanagh in Brewster Park, Enniskillen on Saturday.

The bus leaves Drogheda at 3.30pm, Dunleer at 3.45pm and from McKeown’s Bar in Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk at 4pm.

For booking contact Brian Matthews on 087 2830308 or Gerry McGee on 087 7500414.