Sean O’Mahony’s All-Ireland hopes are ended

Sean O’Mahony’s Stephen Fisher is consoled by his wife and son at the full-time whistle yesterday

The Sean O’Mahony’s hopes of All-Ireland glory were ended by St Croan’s of Roscommon yesterday after their comeback at Kingspan Breffni Park in Cavan fell just short on a 0-14 to 2-7 scoreline.

The Point Road men had got off to a dream start when Stephen Kilcoyne hit the net after just a minute.

However, seven unanswered points had the Connacht champions 0-7 to 1-0 ahead after 20 minutes.

A Conor Crawley goal then reduced the deficit back to one but the Roscommon men kicked the final two scores of the half to lead by 0-9 to 2-0 at the break.

The O’Mahony’s finally found their shooting boots on the restart with Kilcoyne firing over two points and Garry Mulligan also on target as the gap was reduced back to one.

The same two players then responded to a Croan’s point to level the game and then with less than five minutes to go Stephen Fisher landed a point to put Brendan Nordone’s side in front.

However, Croan’s managed to level with two minutes to go and when John O’Brien’s free was blocked down they managed to break up field to win a free which they fired over to go ahead.

The O’Mahony’s did have one last chance of forcing extra time but Conor Finnegan couldn’t get the connection he required and his effort drifted wide of the post.

St Croan’s: Vincent Egan; Gerard Mockler, Gregory Grogan, Keith Keenan (0-1); Daniel Malone, Eamonn Towey, Maurice Connaughton (0-2, 1’45); Ross Timothy, Brian Mullin; Kevin Smyth (0-5, 4f), James Connaughton, Keith Muldoon; Robbie Keenan, Michael Holland (0-2), Aidan Brogan (0-3). Subs: Shane Smyth (0-1) for Brian Mullin, P Leech for Daniel Malone (BC), M Towey for Keith Muldoon, C Connolly for Aidan Brogan.

Sean O’Mahony’s: Kevin Brennan; Pat O’Brien, Mickey Clarke, Ronan Byrne; Keith McLaughlin, John O’Brien, Kurt Murphy; Shane Brennan, Peter Nixon; Liam Dullaghan, Conor Finnegan, Gary Mulligan (0-2); Stephen Fisher (0-2), Conor Crawley 1-0, Stephen Kilcoyne (1-3, 0-2f). Subs: Conor Martin for P O’Brien, Jonathan Connolly for C Martin, David Dowling for C Crawley.

O’Mahony’s celebrate Leinster title success

O’Mahony’s captain Pat O’Brien lifts the cup

The Sean O’Mahony’s tasted provincial success yesterday after seeing off Meath side Ballinlough by 0-10 to 1-4 in Drogheda to clinch the Leinster Club Intermediate Football Championship.

Only the third Louth club to claim the title, the Point Road side have now emulated the feat that the Geraldines achieved 12 months ago with an All-Ireland semi-final to look forward to in the New Year.

The Dundalk side got of to a great start with a brace of points from Stephen Fisher and one apiece form Stephen Kilcoyne and Garry Mulligan giving them a four point lead after 15 minutes.

Ballinlough responded well, however, with a goal and three points over the course of the next 10 minutes, including a Peadar Byrne penalty, as the side went off level at 1-3 to 0-6 at the break.

The O’Mahony’s task was made that much tougher when Conor Crawley was sent off for a second yellow card five minutes into the second half but that failed to deter Brendan Nordone’s side.

Keith McLaughlin and John O’Brien tagged on a point each and although Ronan McGuinness responded for the Meathmen, further scores from Fisher and Kilcoyne ensured a famous win for the men from the Quay.

In Off The Post to look back on a busy weekend of GAA action

Tonight’s In Off The Post GAA show on Dundalk FM will look back on a busy weekend of GAA action in Louth.

In the opening round of the Intermediate Championship the Sean O’Mahony’s proved too strong for local rivals Dundalk Young Irelands and the show will hear from the respective managers, Brendan Nordone and Enda Murray.

There’ll also be the views of Cooley’s Gary Thornton, O’Connells’ Donal Murtagh, St Pat’s Fergal Reel and Naomh Mairtin’s JP Rooney about their respective matches as well as reaction from James McArtain and Jason Ryan on the Kildare v Down Qualifier played last Sundya in Newry.

The show will also look ahead to this week’s fixtures, including the Dundalk derby between Clan na Gael and Sean O’Mahony’s in Dowdallshill on Friday.

In Off The Post airs each Wednesday night at 9pm on Dundalk FM 100 and is presented by former County Board chairman Peter Brannigan and Naomh Malachi clubman, Dermot Woods, a former chair of the Louth Ladies County Board.

The show can also be accessed online at www.dundalkfm.com and is repeated on Saturdays at 6pm.