Louth GAA legend Stephen Melia passes away

Stephen Melia in action for Louth against Offaly in the 2000 National Football League Division Two final

The death has occurred after illness of Louth GAA’s most capped player, Stephen Melia.

No one featured for the Wee County more in the county’s history than the towering midfielder, who made his debut in November 1984. He would remain part of the panel until early 2002, with his last appearance coming in July 2001.

Melia’s 17 years with Louth is a record shared with Michael ‘Muckle’ McKeown and Leslie Toal, one behind Benny Gaughran and two behind Eoin “Ine” Markey.

Throughout his 179 appearances, his greatest achievement was helping the county to Division Two league success against Offaly in 2000.

Twice named County Player of the Year, Melia started his playing career with the John Mitchels and was a key component to their 1992 junior championship success.

He later transferred to Dublin side O’Dwyer’s before joining St Joseph’s GFC in Dromiskin. While he kept his age a close secret, he was arguably one of the oldest players to win a Senior Championship medal when he lined out in midfield for the the Cluskey Park outfit in their 2006 County Final success over St Patrick’s GFC. It is believed he was in his mid-40s at the time.

Remarkably, Melia never played for the county at minor level but did represent Leinster numerous times in the Railway Cup.

Off the field, Melia featured as part of Paddy Clarke’s management team in 2000/2001 and under Eamon McEneaney in 2006 when the county clinched the Division Two league title against Donegal.

Commenting on his passing on Twitter this morning, St Joseph’s clubman Jonny McGailey said: “Gutted to learn of the passing of my former team mate, mentor and friend Stephen Melia. Words can’t describe how great he was. Gutted.

“An absolute warrior whose work ethic and leadership knew no bounds. One of the most inspiring and influential people I’ve ever known.”

St Joseph’s GFC tweeted: “Stephen Melia was not only a great player, but an even better person. A sad loss. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam.”

Funeral arrangements will be made later.

Blow for Louth as Lennon announces retirement

Shane Lennon fists past Laois goalkeeper Eoin Culleton in the Leinster Championship in 2013

Louth’s preparations for the New Year have been dealt a further blow following the announcement that Shane Lennon has retired from inter-county football.

The Kilkerley Emmets forward follows in the footsteps of Paddy Keenan in stepping away from the county side, leaving new boss Colin Kelly with two huge holes to fill in his first season in charge.

In an injury-interrupted career, Lennon was a virtual ever present in the side when fit having broken into the side back in 2004.

In that time he won a National League Division Two and Division Three title, a Tommy Murphy Cup and was part of the Louth side which reached the Leinster final in 2010.

Commenting on his decision to retire, Lennon said that he had to listen to his body after a series of injuries over the years.

“It is with deep regret that I am announcing my retirement from inter county football. I have thought long and hard about this decision and finally I had to start listening to my body.

“I have been honoured to pull on the red and white jersey and represent this incredible wee county. I have been involved in the Louth senior set up for the last 10 years and enjoyed every second of it. I soldiered beside some Louth legends and have met so many good friends both on and off the field through Louth GAA.

“Unfortunately in the last few years my career has become very stop start due to certain problems with my hips. Over the last 3 years I underwent two hip operations, and during 2014 this started to affect my day to day living. I was going from game to game and not being able to train during the week which was far from ideal for what is expected of a current inter county footballer. This was very frustrating for myself, management and also my team-mates.

“I would like to thank Val Andrews, Eamonn McEneaney, Peter Fitzpatrick and Aidan O’Rourke and their backroom staff for giving me the opportunity to represent Louth at senior level over the past few years. My greatest gratitude goes out to the County Boards past and present for their support and help and of course to the Louth fans that have travelled near and far supporting us through thick and thin, a big thank you.

“I have spoken thoroughly with Colin Kelly and he understands where I stand with my injuries and I wish him and his new backroom staff all the best for the coming seasons and I firmly believe the future is bright in the Wee County.

“I would also like to thank Kilkerley Emmets for all their help and the development they gave me from day one in my football career. A great club from top to bottom and I was honoured to represent them on the county team.

“Finally I would like to thank my girlfriend Linda and my family who have been always by my side whether it be Croke Park or the Gaelic Grounds their support was present. I will continue to work in my role as Games Development Administrator for Louth GAA and I will give my all to improving standards of GAA in the Wee County. I look forward to supporting Colin and his troops in 2015 and beyond,” said Lennon.

Heartbreak for Geraldines as brave comeback falls just short

The Geraldines’ dream of All-Ireland glory came to an end in Crossmaglen yesterday after they went down to Monaghan side Truagh Gaels on a 2-10 to 1-9 scoreline.

Despite a late rally, the Blackrock and Haggardstown fell to a late goal and a point rom Truagh and, in truth, can have little complaint with the outcome of the game.

Truagh were the better team over the course of the hour and with seven minutes to go looked to be coasting to victory as they led by 1-9 to 0-5.

Most of the damage was done against a gale-force wind in the first-half when they led by 0-7 to 0-4 at the break. A Mark Counihan goal four minutes after the restart then gave Eamon McEneaney’s side an uphill task that ultimately proved too miuch for them.

Despite that, they can take heart from finishing strongly with a late flurry seeing them score 1-4 without reply, with Nicky Mackin grabbing a goal on 53 minutes.

Jim McEneaney then equalised with a minute to go and at that point it looked like the Gers were the more likely winners.

However, after being denied a free in their next attack, Truagh broke with Chrissy McKenna picking out the unmarked Daniel Finnegan to fist to the net. A free from Daniel McKenna then sealed the game for the Ulster champions but the Gers can be proud of their efforts.

“We are shellshocked at the minute to lose it in the way we did, but we didn’t play well enough for a large part of the game,” said Geraldines manager Eamonn McEneaney afterwards.

Scorers – Truagh Gaels: M Counihan, D Finnegan 1-2 each, D McKenna 0-4 (2fs), C McKenna 0-2 (2fs). Geraldines: J McEneaney 0-5 (3fs, 1 ’45’), N Mackin 1-0, J Arrowsmith 0-2, G Hoey, S O’Hanlon 0-1 each.

Truagh Gaels – I Treanor; J McCarron, N Feely, N McQuilland; E Kelly, R Treanor, P McKenna; P Treanor, N McRory; A Treanor, B Cuddy, M Counihan; D Finnegan, C McKenna, D McKenna. Subs: C McAnenly for McCarron (BC, 41), N Rooney for McRory (BC, 52)

Geraldines – N Cooney; J Arrowsmith, N Mackin, T Hand; J Craven, G Hoey, K Pepper; M Rogers, S Reidy; S Thornton, J McEneaney, S Callan; G Trainor, S O’Hanlon, B Hamilton. Subs: J Breen for Thornton (BC, 2), P Hoey for Breen (50), D Hamill for Arrowsmith (50), J Craven (BC, 60, not replaced).

Leinster club finals to be discussed on In Off The Post this Wednesday on Dundalk FM

This week’s In Off The Post GAA show on Dundalk FM will have all the reaction from Sunday’s Leinster club finals involving the Geraldines and Hunterstown Rovers.

Amongst the guests on the show will be Geraldines chairman Padraig McDonnell and team manager Eamon McEneaney. There will also be a chat with ex Clan na Gael and Louth star, Benny Gaughran, who is now a member of Naomh Olaf.

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.

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Rogers keeps his nerve to book Geraldines a place in Leinster final

The Geraldines booked themselves a place in the Leinster Club IFC final after beating St Fintan’s of Wexford by 1-17 to 2-13 after extra time in Wexford yesterday.

Michael Rogers’ free two minutes from the end proved the decisive score as the Haggardstown men set up a clash against St Olaf’s of Dublin in two weeks time.

The Gers will have been relieved to have secured the win having squandered sizeable leads on two occasions. They led by six points at the break and five points entering the closing stages only for the hosts to fight back to force the game into extra-time.

Eamon McEneaney’s side led by four points in the first half of extra-time but once again were pegged back until Rogers settled it.

Shane O’Hanlon led the way for the Gers with a personal tally of 1-9, with his goal giving the visitors a 1-8 to 0-5 lead at the interval.

St Fintan’s refused to lie down, however, with a last gasp free leaving the final score 1-12 each and forcing extra-time.

The Gers surged ahead again in extra-time but a goal from the hosts meant they trailed by just 1-16 to 2-12 at half-time. They then leveled matters in the second half before Rogers kicked the crucial score to send his side into the final.

They now meet St Olaf’s in the final on December 1^st with the game provisionally penciled in for Drogheda – something the Geraldines are hoping to challenge as they feel McGeough Park is capable of hosting the game.

Geraldines: Nathaniel Cooney; Sean Watters, Nicky Mackin, Tiernan Hand; James Craven, Gerard Hoey, Kevin Pepper; Stephen Reidy, Michael Rogers 0-3; Sean Thornton, Johnny Breen 0-1, Paddy Hoey; Glen Traynor 0-2, Shane O’Hanlon 1-9, B Hamilton 0-1. Subs: Sean Callan for S Watters, Brendan Connolly for T Hand, Josh Arrowsmith 0-1 for J Breen, Dara Hamill for S Thornton, Liam Boyle for G Traynor.

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