Cooley win first

Goals at either end of the match proved decisive as Cooley lifted their first senior trophy since 1998, which was also for the subsidiary league.

Kickhams made a great start and after Sean O’Neill struck for a 6th minute goal they went on to lead by six points approaching the break. However, the Ardee club battled back in the second half and dominating possession as Cooley fell asleep somewhat they should have done better than close the gap to two points before substitute Sean McDonald clinched victory with a well-taken goal five minutes from the end of normal time.

Despite being short Alan Page and Johnny Clerkin who were in action for Louth in Croke Park on Sunday, the green-and-golds impressed early though O’Neill needed two goes to get that goal. Mark Thornton set him up and his first effort was blocked on the line by Alan Balfe before the full-forward made no mistake on the rebound.

With the scoreboard reading 1-2 to 0-2, the points evenly divided between David Thornton and Niall Sharkey, and all from free kicks, Mary’s came very close to a goal in the 12th minute as after taking a pass from Alan Doherty, Niall Carroll’s shot was deflected off a post.

Gerry Craven had a fine first half and a couple of good scores from him and further frees by the accurate David Thornton stretched the advantage to 1-6 to 0-3 by the 26th minute. St. Mary’s substitute John McConnon then pointed to leave his side trailing by five at the interval.

They could have been closer as on the stroke of the half-time whistle Seamus Quigley made a good stop from Niall Sharkey at his near post.

A David Thornton point saw Cooley start the second period promisingly but having moved Craven to the square and brought O’Neill out, perhaps a little complacency set in as it was Mary’s who took up the running. Craven soon switched again in a swap with David Thornton.

In the middle of four successive points the Pairc Mhuire outfit had what seemed legitimate penalty claims ignored when Alan Doherty appeared to have been hauled down following a great ball by Brian McCoy.

Another David Thornton free arrested Cooley’s slide but Sharkey replied in similar fashion to leave it all to play for at 1-8 to 0-9 by the 51st minute.

However, any nerves that might have been creeping into Kickhams and their supporters were dispelled when McDonald executed a perfect lob over Peter Duffy to wrap it up. As if to make sure David Thornton and Gavin Long soon added a point apiece, 2-10 to 0-9.

After being fouled Brian Keenan took the free quickly while lying on the ground and Doherty crashed the ball to the net but play was called back. Niall Sharkey converted the free in the final piece of action.

Best for the winners were Gavin Long, Ambrose Kane, Gerry Craven and David Thornton, while Alan McKenny, Brian Keenan, Mark Leavy and Niall Carroll were prominent for St. Mary’s.

Cooley Kickhams: Seamus Quigley; Emmet Page, Jason Malone, Eamonn Carroll; Gavin Long (0-1), Conor McGuinness, Ambrose Kane; Gerry Craven (0-2, one free), David Hughes; Daryl Bailey, David Thornton (0-7, five frees), Frank Murphy; Mark Thornton, Sean O’Neill (1-0), Niall Clinton. Subs, Sean McDonald (1-0) for Murphy, Darren White for Clinton.

St. Mary’s: Peter Duffy; Alan Balfe, Paul Malone, Hugh Diamond; Niall Carroll, Alan McKenny, Ronan Carroll; Brian Keenan, Robbie Keenan; Eddie Grey, Alan Doherty, Mark Leavy (0-1); Brian Sharkey, Niall Sharkey (0-7, all frees), Brian McCoy. Subs, John McConnon (0-2) for B. Sharkey, Mark Clifford for Grey, John Callan for McCoy.

Referee, Liam McGranaghan.