Late Branigan goal sends Newtown Blues into Louth SFC decider

Ciaran Downey of Newton Blues

Newtown Blues produced a sensational late comeback to defeat Ardee St Mary’s by 1-15 to 2-11 on Saturday and reach the Louth senior football championship final.

Ciaran Downey led the scoring for the victors with 0-6, while Andy McDonnell contributed 0-4 and Conor Branigan added 0-3.

The Blues led 0-9 to 0-5 at half-time, with McDonnell, Downey and Ross Nally among the scorers.

Ardee fought back strongly after the break, with goals from Ciaran Keenan and Keelin Martin turning the game in their favour.

Conor Mac Criosta’s late two-pointer reduced the gap before Liam Branigan struck the decisive goal in injury-time to surge the Blues into their third county final in five years.

The other semi-final in the Wee County sees St Mochtas and St Josephs clashing at 5.15pm this evening in Dowdalshill.