JFC Semi's

Massive weekend for the Blog and the JFC!

Saturday 5.45pm, Haggardstown
Hunterstown Rovers Vs Sean McDermotts 

 
Sunday 5.15pm, Gaelic Grounds
Oliver Plunketts Vs Naomh Fionnbarra



 
Louth and Proud fans and my Pick Hunterstown Rovers and Junior favourites Oliver Plunketts are in seperate semi finals and if fate would have it, They will surely meet each other in the final?

I'm not counting out the Seans and Naomh Fionnbarra but both of those teams are Division 3 league sides and will be for next season aswell, Where as the Plunketts are playing in Division 1 and Hunterstown are a Solid Division 2 team. 

So it's hard NOT to think the two favourites will not advance!

However If a shock is to come to par in either game...they will rest on the shoulders of a Woods. William for Togher and Daniel for the Montrush men.



 


  

SFC Quarters

Here's your SFC Line Up for the Weekend


Friday night lights and what else would you be at but enjoy a tasty double header in Clans

O'Connell's Vs Dundalk Gaels
6:45pm
Cooley Kickhams Vs Naomh Martin
8pm



Saturday night in Haggardstown 

You feel, if the Mary's had Clarke in their team (out with Knee injury) it could have been a sneaky game for the pats, ah well we can scrap that now!?
St Patricks Vs St Mary's
7.15pm


Sunday night in Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda 

The best till last? maybe?
Mattock Rangers Vs Newtown Blues
6.45pm

Minor Matters: Champo Quarters

Oliver Plunketts Vs St Mary's
O'Connells/Stabannon/Lannleire Vs Naomh Martin
Geraldines Vs Newtown Blues
St Patricks/Cuchulainn Gaels Vs St Fechins

The Final four......and what a final four it is.......tons of talent and bags of potential....very hard to call a winner!



'B' Championship 
Gaels Vs Nicks
Naps Vs Wolfe Tones
Kevins/N Fionnbarra Vs St Joseph's
Roche Emmets Vs Cooley Kickhams Draw

'A' Championship
Glyde/Westerns/Seans/Annaghminnon Vs SOM
Brides Vs John Mitchells Match on Monday
Kilkerley/ Malachi Vs DYI
Clan na Gael Vs Mattock Rangers/ Hunterstown Rvrs

Comment 
How important was Home advantage??


The only team to win away from home was the Mary's and next best was Cooley who got a draw away to Roche!!

So How important was Home advantage??

Very! 

9 home teams out of 11 games won.......

Minor Quarter Finals

Exciting Evening ahead for the cream of our counties youngsters, Minor Quarter finals all throwing in at 6.45pm.

Oliver Plunketts Vs St Mary's
Both these teams met in the Semi final stage last year with the Plunketts prevailing and shocking their way to the title.
This year, I think will be a different Story...Ardee men getting their revenge.
Verdict: St Mary's

O'Connells/Stabannon/Lannleire Vs Naomh Martin
Cian Doyle is the star attraction here...if he can light this game up as much as he does for the O'Connells in senior then the Combination side should march on....
Monasterboice will look to Wayne Campbell to dominate the middle sector.
Verdict:O'Connells/Stabannon/Lannleire 
 
Geraldines Vs Newtown Blues
The clash of the young pretenders, last years Under 16 Championship winners the Gers throw in 3 Louth minors on top of that bunch and the Haggardstown men could be the darkest of horses.
However, count the Blues out at your peril....their Under 16 group are my champions elect and Ross Nally is one for the future.

Verdict: Gers

St Patricks/Cuchulainn Gaels Vs St Fechins
The north Louth Combination have 4 Louth minors in their side and this match features 6 in total...one of those is Louth minor captain Sean McConnell a formidable player and the main reason why the Fechins could sneak this tie.
Such a hard game to call but i think home advantage might swing it
Verdict: Pats/Cuchulainn Gaels

Alternative Minor fixtures also on tonight 

'B' Championship 
Gaels Vs Nicks
Naps Vs Wolfe Tones
Kevins/N Fionnbarra Vs St Joseph's
Roche Emmets Vs Cooley Kickhams

'A' Championship
Glyde/Westerns/Seans/Annaghminnon Vs SOM
Brides Vs John Mitchells
Kilkerley/ Malachi Vs DYI
Mattock Rangers/ Hunterstown Rvrs Vs Clan na Gael

Trivia Time

I received a really good Trivia question from one of my readers....and I've decided to share it with you all....as they say, problem shared in a problem halved!


How many players have lined out in Senior football finals in Louth for TWO different clubs? 

and, if you can, Name them!


Bear in mind, it is from 1980 onwards.....

Best of luck, Stay tuned and I'll post up the answers as soon as they come in!

Mail me the answers on LouthandProud@gmail.com or Tweet me either  @LouthProud


If you have any Question you'd like to share with Louth fans don't be afraid to contact me!




I can confirm that there is at least 6 players (and a possible 7 to be verified shortly) definitely 6!
A large number of tweeters have guessed these 3 players Correctly

Niall Sharkey- Ardee St Marys 2003 & Mattock Rangers 2010

Seamus Quigley- Kilkerley Emmets 1999 & Cooley Kickhams

Martin Farrelly- Lannleire 1998 and St Joseph's 2006

2 more players  

Barry Corcoran - Brides 2002 and St Patricks 2012
Eamon McCartan - Carlingford man joined the Irelanders, then back to Cooley played in 3 straight finals. 79-81. 
 
One more to go......keep the Guesses coming!  

Last but not least  

Eugene McArdle Originally DYI, lost to Roche in 1980. Joined the Joes then and was sub, lost to Fechins in 84.

thanks to all for your responses!!! 



If you have any Question you'd like to share with Louth fans don't be afraid to contact me!
LouthandProud@gmail.com or Tweet me either  @LouthProud

Ok Correction Time
There was Definitely 7 confirmed Players! Thanks to @RoeGerard who verified Laurence O'Hanlon who, did in fact play in two senior finals for 2 different Teams
Roche Emmets 1985 and Clan Na Gael.

The Byrne Identity

Australian rules side Carlton Blues Gain and Louth's GAA Pain?

 

Class Act

News has just broken today of Ciaran Byrne and his confirmed move to the AFL.

and, I don't know how I feel about it...



On one hand, I am delighted for him, and the other hand I'm sad.

I don't know him personally but I heard from enough people that he is a bright, driven and nice young man.


He's undoubtedly been the best underage talent we've produced in the last few decades. since perhaps, JP Rooney, when burst on the scene in the early noughties. 

One thing I thing I do know is, that Louth football will miss him dearly. 

We all knew he was that bit special...From the Mochta's in the beginning, Louth Minor run, Dundalk Colleges success, he even showed the composure and maturity of a veteran in his first season, even his nickname 'Casey' we couldn't figure out!

Deep down, while watching him play you wished all the whispers on the terrace about Oz and Tadhg Kennelly was just.talk.

However, it came to pass today, he is definitely leaving.
No doubt We'll now become Carlton Blues Fans! 

but,

Just like Ciaran's last game in a Louth Jersey versus Kildare I'll leave on a positive note! 
 
Today is not a sad day for Louth football but a proud day in fact. One of our best, is good enough for a top professional sports club.

I want to say his Louth Career is to be continued but, I've no doubt in my mind that he'll make it out there....

So I'll just keep it simple and say.....

Best of Luck Ciaran but we all know you don't need it!

Louth and Proud



Louth Stats
Division 2 League 

v Galway     0-1 Start Win
v Wexford        Sub Lost
v Armagh    0-1 Sub Win
v  Derry      0-1 Start Lost
v Longford  0-1 Start Win

Championship
Laois-Start Win
Wexford-Start Lost
Qualifiers
Antrim 1-2 Start Win
Kildare 0-5 Start Lost

Debut:Galway

9(2) Appearances (Sub)
1-11  Tally
5 win's 

Class act

Louth and Proud VINE

Simples find us on Vine and follow  LouthandProud

 

Should post up some more soon!!!

Under 16 Football Championship Results

Round 1

Oliver Plunketts 3-15 St Fechins 1-8

Newtown Blues 9-27 St Patricks 0-2

Geraldines 3-18 St Brides 1-6

Naomh Mairtin 6-13 Kilkerley Emmets / Naomh MalachI 1-7

St Kevins 0-0 Dundalk Gaels W/O

Cooley Kickhams 5-14 Na Piarsaigh 1-7

Mattock Rangers / Hunterstown Rovers 5-18 Roche Emmets 1-5

O'Raghallaighs / St Nicholas 0-0 Ardee St Mary's W/O 


Inside information.......The Blues won the Under 14 Championship at this grade.

Dreadnots	3-8	vs	3-6	Naomh Fionnbarra/Lannleire
Sean O Mahonys	4-11	vs	1-6	Wolfe Tones Football
St Josephs	3-12	vs	3-14	Dowdallshill
St Mochtas/Glyde Rangers/Westerns/Sean McDermotts	-	vs	-	Cuchulainn Gaels	Conceded by Cuchulainn Gaels

 

Questions from the Weekend?

The weekend just gone was jam packed with action......with 24 teams in action in 12 meaningful games.


1. Should we Just hand the Pats the Joe Ward Now?
Okay, all joking aside it must be the most impressive championship score of the past few years....Kilkerley are no mugs.....They have an impressive League record, bags of talent Bellews, Lennon, Hand and McElroys?

Plus, many people thought they'd sneak through this group but, the reigning Champions were so impressive yesterday it's hard not to see them with the Joe Ward come October.

2. Was Shane Lennon Playing Yesterday? 
It's a long time since Shane Lennon didn't score in a game, nevermind for his Club? Was he playing? Can someone confirm this for me please?

3. What was the biggest shock? 
Clans going out or last years senior finalists Deadnots not making it out of the group?
You can decide this one?

4. Which night is best for a game?
Friday night lights?
Saturday night Delight 
or 
Sunday evening Dreaming?
For me Saturday night ticks all the boxes....Atmosphere, Fan and Player friendly, especially for the players who can even go out afterwards!

5.How did Chinky Holcroft  manage to score that Goal?  
Nothing like a Championship weekend than a last minute game winning goal....and thats exactly what decided the game between the two former Junior foes.

Numerous reports have come out from Stabannon and no one can quite fanthom how Chinky Beano exactly managed to score that Goal and send the fechins through!? 
10 metres out and 10 men on the line! work it out for yourself.

6. Ruairi Moore should be looked at again by Louth?
Ruairi Moore's last appearance for Louth was against Dublin in the O'Byrne cup...many said it would be his last...Since then a number of things have emerged.

That Day he was marking an unknown JACK MCCAFFREY the very Jack that ripped Cork apart last week and is on course for GAA young player of the year and All-Star at the least.

Throw in Moore's performances week in week out for the Rats and it makes me think that AOR should reconsider him for the future.


7.How Good is Tommy Durnin?  
Westerns have had a good season despite being knocked out by Hunterstown at the Weekend.
They gave Rovers a scare and this was largely due to Durnin.

Young, good ball player and extremely accurate.

Thats how good the current Carlow IT all Ireland winner is.

8. How many games have you been to this year?
Forgot to add: not involving your own club....

hmmm this sounds like a survey question

Okay, I ran out of questions to make the 10! Don't judge me!
9.Junior Cream is rising to the Top?

The Four, most talented squads are left in the final four! which always makes for a great championship.

And guess what?
There is a potential Plunketts and Hunterstown, 2 favourites final!

but, do not count against Togher and the Seans to upset the applecart!!
 

10. Tie of the next round? 

Is it Old foes Mattock and Blues in the Senior Quarters?

Underage Revenge as the DYI take on the Gers?

or is it the Finbarrs and Plunketts in Junior to settle floodlightgate once and for all.

JFC Quarter finals

Alot of interesting and talented players on show I'll try and give you the heads up.

Friday night in Cluskey Park,Dromiskin
Oliver Plunketts V Dowdallshill 19:00
Division 1 team and many peoples favourites to win Junior this year should have more than enough in the tank to reach the quarters.
Dowdallshill were well beaten last day out against the Seans and got this fair due to a shock win over the Kevins!

St Nicholas V Naomh Fionnbarra 20:15
You have to hand it to the nicks...every year they soldier on without fail.

Look at the players they've lost in the past few seasons alone, Keith Arnold, Andrew Tinley, Pat Murtagh and Derek Kierans all able to hold their own at Division 1 and senior championship.
However i think this is where the run ends for them.

Togher will have too much for them all over the field and up front, William Woods 
particularly.


Saturday night in Ardee
Sean McDermotts V Lannleire 17:45
This, by far is the hardest of the ties to call...both teams are well experienced and finalists in recent seasons.

This year however I think the Seans have their house in some sort of order and stability of a management team that is in their second season.


Hunterstown Rovers V Westerns 19:15
Louth and Proud Favourites Hunterstown should get over the Westerns but it could be a slight banana skin in patches....they've picked up a few injuries in recent weeks and the accuracy of Tommy Durnin from free's for the westies could give the rovers some hairy scary moments but I think they have bigger fish to fry.




By Sunday night we should know the semi finalists.

Calculations And Premutations!

Championship is Hotting up....
it's more or less do or die for alot of teams over the weekend

Calculators ready......Here's the breakdown

Last Round of Senior


Blues and Clogher Saturday, The Grove 19:15
Blues need a win or Draw to Top the group, all Clogher need is a win to dump out the Gaels....they can top the group if they win by 3 and possibly dump the Blues out if they beat them by 7! 

Kilkerley and Pats Sunday, Dowdashill, 15:30
Draw or win will do Pats for Top,
Kilkerley need not just to win, but by 9 points to advance at the champions expense.
Cooley are more or less home and hosed with a scored difference of +11points they are just waiting to see whether it is as group winners or second place.

Mary's and O'Raghaillighs Sunday, Dunleer, 17:45
Marys need a win or Draw to Top the group and O'Raghaillaighs need to win with score difference of 4 to get through at the Ardee mens expense. 
Eitherway The Martins are safe with a Score difference of +3 


Mattock and Glyde Sunday, Dunleer, 19:15
Winner goes through as runner up.Simple

Last Round of IFC


Clans and Joes Saturday, The Grove 17:45
Both teams have been stung by the Nap...Obviously its winner takes all here...but Joes can Top the group if they win by 3!



SOM and Mals Sunday, Dowdashill, 14:00
High flying Division 1 team O'Mahony's should take care of low flying Division 2 Mals....Mals need a miracle five point win to advance.

Brides and Tullyallen Sunday, Stabannon 14:00
 Brides after beating the Gers have the chance to top the Group here even with a draw.
The Gers massive score difference means that they are more or less through also.


Mochs versus Fechins Sunday, Stabannon 15:30
With DYI on top Winner takes all here....simples

Hope that makes Sense, Could be some fascinating finales in store over the Weekend!!!

junior Previews later

Underage Champo Time

Louth GAA 2013 Minor A Championship Draw

1. Mattock Rangers/Hunterstown Rovers  V St Patricks/Cuchullain Gaels

2. Glan Na Gael V St Fechins

3. Kilkerley Emmets/Naomh Malachi V Geraldines

4. Newtown Blues V Dundalk Young Irelands

5. O’Connells/Stabannon V St Brides

6. John Mitchels V Naomh Martin

7. Oliver Plunkets V Bails Talún

8. Sean O’Mahonys V St Marys

Louth GAA 2013 Minor B Championship Draw

1. Roche Emmets V St Mochtas – winners play Cooley Kickhams in the Quarter Final.

2. Na Piarsaigh V Glen Emmets – winners play Wolfe Tones in Quarter Final.

3. O’Raghallaighs V St Kevins/Naomh Fionbarra – winners play St Josephs in Quarter Final.

4. Remaining Quarter Final Dundalk Gaels V St Nicholas (Both teams received a bye)

Louth GAA 2013 Under 16 A Draw

1. O’Raghallaighs/St Nicholas V St Marys 

2. Cooley Kickhams V Na Piarsaigh

3. Mattock Rangers/Hunterstown V Roche Emmets

4. St Kevins V Dundalk Gaels

5. Naomh Martin V Kilkerley Emmets/Naomh Malachi

6. Gerladines V St Brides

7. Newtown Blues V St Patricks

8. Oliver Plunkets V St Fechins

Louth GAA 2013 Under 16 B Draw

1. St Josephs V Dowdallshill - winners play Clan Na Gael in a Quarter Final

2. Baile Talún v Cuchullain Gaels –winners play O’Connells/Stabannon/John Mitchels in a quarter final.

3. Dreadnots V Naomh Fionbarra/Lannleire –winners  Glen Emmets in a quarter final

4. Sean O’Mahonys V Wolfe Tones – winners play Dundalk Young Irelands in a quarter final.

Louth GAA 2013 Under 14 A Draw

1. St Brides V Wolfe Tones

2. Dundalk Gaels V Geraldines

3. Kilkerley Emmets/Naomh Malachi V Cooley Kickhams

4. Baile Talún V St Patricks

5. St Fechins V St Josephs

6. Oliver Plunkets V St Marys

7. OConnells/Stabanon/John Mitchels V Mattock Rangers/Hunterstown Rovers

8. Newtown Blues V Naomh Martin

Louth GAA 2013 Under 14 B Draw

1. Naomh Fionbarra/Lannleire V St Nicholas – winners play Roche Emmets in a quarter final.

2. Cuchullain Gaels V Na Piarsaigh –winners play St Kevins in quarter final.

3. Clan na Gael V Glen Emmets –winners play Dreadnots in quarter final.

4. Dundalk Young Irelands V O’Raghallaighs –winners play Sean O’Mahonys/Dowdallshill in quarter final.

Stephen O'Connor Insurance