Newtown Blues suffered the disappointment of losing the Senior Championship final to Mattock Rangers, but they didn't finish the season empty handed as they went on to win the Cardinal O'Donnell Cup. That victory underlined the Blues position as one of the top sides in the county and they will be hoping to build on that in the 2006 season as they look to bring the Joe Ward Cup back to Newfoundwell after an absence of five years. The Drogheda side's victory came in the best possible fashion as they defeated holders and long time league leaders, Cooley Kickhams, in the decider on November 6. The game, played at Pairc na nGael, saw the Blues emerge deserving winners after scoring a 0-11 to 0-7 win over their opponents and in the process they bridged a 19 year gap since last getting their hands on the trophy. Anthony Donaghy played an important part in the victory and summed what it meant to the Drogheda side to finish the season on a high after the disappointment of losing the senior championship final. "It was a big boost ahead of next year to end 2005 with a trophy. "At the start of the year we didn't know if we'd be good enough to compete for competitions but now we've reached the two major finals and won one of them. It was a great feeling to win the competition." Donaghy, who was winning his first Cardinal O'Donnell title, praised the players for bouncing back after losing to Mattock Rangers in the championship final. "We were downbeat after the championship but we knew we were still in the running for the league so we said we'd give it a real lash and put a couple more weeks of hard work in and thankfully it paid dividends," he said. "It has been a long year for us and winning this is some consolation for missing out on the championship. "We have a few weeks off now which will be nice then we'll be back training in late January and give it our best to do even better next year," he said. Donaghy confessed he didn't know what his side would achieve at the start of the year but now that they have shown so much promise he is hopeful they can make another step forward in 2006. "We would've loved to have won both of them but Mattock Rangers were the better team on the day. Beating Cooley really lifted us though and it was just fantastic to have something to take back to Newfoundwell after such a long year," he said. For Cooley it was a bitterly disappointing end to a season that had promised so much. They began the year as favourites for the championship but went out in the semi-final stage. Having failed to defend their league title meant they had to settle for the Sheelan Cup as their only trophy of the year. It was not they way manager, Pete McGrath, would have liked to have bowed out and the final represented his last game in charge of Cooley. The International Rules manager and former Down supremo didn't seek election for a third year. The game itself saw Cooley take an early lead with Brian White pointing twice from frees. However, Newtown Blues soon found their rhythm and points from Emmet Judge and Thomas Carr saw them draw level. Colin McGuinness and Ray Hughes swapped points before some fine defending prevented Cooley grabbing a goal. However, the peninsula men continued to hold the upperhand and they edged back in front by 0-6 to 0-4 as the interval approached. By the time the teams went in for their break, it was looking very good for Cooley as Pete McGrath's side stretched their advantage to three points when Brian White landed a free from all of 45m. At 0-7 to 0-4 ahead, Cooley appeared to be in control, but Newtown Blues manager, Colm Nally, made the decisive switch when he brought on Hugh McGinn for the second half and the young forward was to have a major influence on the outcome. Although Blues began to take a grip on the game in the second half, it took seven minutes before James Murray got their first point, but it was a score that signalled their revival. Points from Colm Judge and Simon Gerard, as well as a fine Nally save from an Aoghan McGuinness effort, helped the Blues to draw level. In the 50th minute the Newfoundwell side took the lead for the first time when Hugh McGinn landed a point after a good move and the same player stretched the advantage shortly afterwards. As Cooley continued to struggle in front of goal, Blues held their nerve and it was McGinn who was again on hand to settle the issue when he put his side 0-10 to 0-7 ahead in the final minute. Barry Murphy completed the victory when he fired over in injury time. On a memorable day for Newtown Blues they saw some fine performances. Colm Judge was undoubtedly the star of the show with the 19-year-old adding to his reputation with a fine display. Hugh McGinn was an inspiration after coming on at half-time, while others to catch the eye for the winners included, Colm Nally, Jamie Carr, Anthony Donaghy and Simon Gerard. Scorers: Newtown Blues - Hugh McGinn (0-3), James Murray (0-2), Ray Hughes, Emmet Judge, Colm Judge, Thomas Carr, Barry Sharkey, Simon Gerard 0-1 each. Cooley Kickhams - Brian White (0-3), Neil Gallagher (0-2), Ambrose Kane, Conor McGuinness 0-1 each. Newtown Blues: Colm Nally; Brian Murphy, Cormac Reynolds, Jamie Carr; Simon Gerard, Brien Phillips, Ray Hughes; Barry Sharkey, Eoghan Judge; Emmet Judge, Ronan Phillips, James Murray; Colm Judge, Thomas Carr, Anthony Donaghy. Subs: Hugh McGinn for Emmet Judge, Donal Nugent for B Murphy, Barry Kelly for J Murray, Stephen Moonan for C Judge. The game brought to an end a very successful league campaign for the Blues and, apart of a slight dip in form midway through the campaign, they were always among the main challengers. Colm Nally's side began with a 0-13 to 1-7 victory over St Josephs and accounted for Glyde Rangers, Roche Emmets and Clan na Gael in an unbeaten start. However, that 100% record was lost in their next outing when visitors, Cooley Kickhams, came out on top on a 1-7 to 0-7 scoreline. A week later they suffered a second defeat at the hands of the other peninsula side, St Patrick's. Normal service was restored and over the course of the remaining eight games they lost just once, ironically to Cooley Kickhams, but their fine end of season run was sufficient to see them through to the final. Interesting times It's a special year for the Newtown Blues as they mark the 35th anniversary of their golden era when the club won eight senior football championships in ten years between 1961 and '70. This time of unprecedented success included four successive titles from '61 to '64 set a new record, which was never achieved previously or bettered since. By Gerry Kelly. To mark the occasion a who's who of football came together in early November to celebrate and recall special moments from great encounters of yesteryear. The Blues can boast so many truly legendary performers far too numerous to mention but among those being honoured was Matt Murphy, their goalkeeper, who holds the record for Louth senior medals. The likes of former county player and manager Jimmy Mulroy, Liam Leech who was perhaps regarded as the most skilful of all, Jim 'Blackie' Judge, Frank 'Ja' Clarke, Gerry Reilly and Gerry Clifford were but a few to catch the eye among the illustrious gathering of footballing talent. Also in attendance were captains and vice-captains of opposing teams who lost out for the most part to a side who were perhaps the greatest ever club side to grace the playing fields of the county. What a pity the now vibrant provincial and All Ireland club championships weren't in existence back then. At the height of their prowess, the Newtown Blues surely would have gone on to even greater achievement at national level. A special DVD recording the illustrious history of the club was also launched and very well received by everyone in attendance. On the playing front 2005 hasn't been all that bad either, as the club with a very young side, comprising several of the 2004 minor championship winning team, unexpectedly reached the final of the senior football championship. En route to the decider they didn't exactly set the world alight in the group stages of the competition, relying on a facile play off victory over Mattock Rangers to see them through to the quarterfinals. There they began to show their true potential when all too easily sweeping past a hapless Clan na Gael side. A hard fought, narrow win over championship favourites Cooley Kickhams in the semi-final appeared to confirm their pedigree as champions elect. The final itself saw them renew acquaintances with old foes Mattock for the third time in the campaign with honours even at one win apiece in previous meetings. The Blues started slight favourites but never really got into their stride on the day as their younger players appeared overawed and the experienced men failed to deliver. Just as the final appeared to be heading to a replay, the Collon men with three late points avenged their defeat of 2001 to the Blues, capturing the Joe Ward Cup for only the second time in their history. The outcome was a huge disappointment for all concerned in the Blues camp, however, they can have few complaints as on the day they were beaten by a better side. It's often said that sometimes you have to loose a final before success follows and this may in fact be the case with this youthful squad who look set to contest many more senior finals in the years ahead. Two of the club's best players, Jamie Carr and Simon Gerrard, represented the club with distinction on the senior county panel throughout the year. Both players were virtually ever-presents in manager Val Andrew's starting line up throughout both league and championship campaigns. Carr in particular was regarded as one of the most improved players to pull on the red shirt in 2005. The year also ended on a high for Gerrard who was called into the Leister panel for the inter-provincial Railway Cup series. Elsewhere, the Junior 2A team also tasted defeat in their championship decider when going down by just three points to a Clan na Gael outfit who were more accurate in front of the posts on the day. Danny Nugent, a great servant of both club and county, fills one of the most important roles within the entire structure, as underage co-ordinator. The great man is virtually an ever present at the club's grounds on the Termonfeckin road. He's responsible for a large, vibrant and rapidly growing underage section, which relies upon the goodwill and commitment of a dedicated band of people who look after teams in the vast array of age groups. The Blues field teams in every age category from the very youngest up to minor level. This past year saw the under 11s, guided by Martin Carr, eventually loose out, after a great run, in the A final to neighbours St. Fechins. A year up and the 12's were unfortunate to finish second best in the shield final to Naomh Martin. The under 15 side is showing great promise and were crowned league champions while the 16's, of which much was expected, disappointed across all competitions. Following last years success at minor level, when the club landed the championship for the first time in many a day, this years crop of emerging talent couldn't even make it past the first hurdle as they disappointingly bowed out in the first round on this occasion. Perhaps the most interesting aspect watching the Blues young cubs perform, is the spattering of different nationalities wearing the sky blue shirt. The club is beginning to attract youngsters from across Europe and beyond who have come to live in the area. It's a significant but important development in that new arrivals to our shores are looking towards native games as a sporting outlet. In turn this can only assist in facilitating the integration of new members of society into local communities. With the northern environs of Drogheda set for major expansion in terms of housing the Blues recognise that there's an opportunity to grow and strengthen their club. This at the same time presents major challenges for those in positions of responsibility who must plan for the future and take the best decisions for the overall good of the club and its members. There are two distinct trains of thought within the club on what should take precedence in terms of the development of the club in the short to medium term. Chairman, Jackie Hanratty, believes that it's most important to get the playing side right before focussing on facilities. The development of players and ultimately the performance of all teams pulling on a Blues shirt must always take priority in the opinion of the man who fills the hot seat at the moment. There's an alternative viewpoint, which also enjoys broad support, which finds favour with Anne Mc Quillan, one of the most efficient public relations officers in the county. She believes that as a progressive club the Blues must work towards improving their playing facilities as soon as possible. The club will soon find themselves in direct competition with St. Fechin's, who are based a short distance out the road and who boast probably one of the finest set ups in the country never mind the county. The provision of better facilities could be the difference between attracting players and their families to the Blues or loosing out to rivals. A revamped clubhouse, floodlighting, an additional pitch and basic spectator facilities are among the wish list of many club members. In terms of maintaining the Newtown Blues at the very forefront of football in Louth it's going to require a fine balancing act to deliver on both sets of aspirations. There's no doubt that the most successful club in the county have succeeded in getting it right for the most part historically. There's nothing to suggest that the present generation will be found wanting when it comes to adopting a strategy that will take the club forward into a bright new future. Tweet

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