Watch: Downey's heroics secure 24th Louth SFC title for Newtown Blues

Newtown Blues' Ciaran Downey in action against St Mochtas during the Louth SFC replay in Drogheda ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

Ciaran Downey’s two-pointer at the death proved the difference for Newtown Blues as they edged St Mochtas by 0-12 to 0-11 in this afternoon’s Louth senior football championship final replay.

The Blues skipper sent over the winning score from beyond the arc in the fourth minute of injury-time, sparking wild celebrations after the final whistle as the Drogheda club clinched their first Joe Ward Cup success in seven years.

After it finished 1-15 apiece last Sunday at the Intergral GAA Grounds, the sides were level four times during the opening half hour here, with the scoreboard reading 0-6 to 0-6 come the half-time whistle in Drogheda.

The scores of Ben Goss Kieran and Declan Byrne (free) saw St Mochtas opening up a two-point lead, with Gerry Garland’s point eventually putting three between the teams with just under five minutes left in normal time.

A Jamie Kelly two-pointer in injury-time kept the Blues in the hunt before talisman Downey produced a dramatic winner from distance (watch it below) to break St Mochtas’ hearts.

Elsewhere, the Wee County’s 2025 champions Naomh Máirtín secured their senior championship status for next season thanks to a following a 2-15 to 1-12 victory over Hunterstown Rovers in Darver earlier this afternoon.