Cardinal O'Donnell Cup

The Cardinal O'Donnell Cup is an annual senior league competition organised by Louth GAA for the Division 1 teams in Gaelic football in County Louth.

Cardinal O'Donnell Cup
Founded1927
Title holdersSt Mary's (Ardee) (13th title)
Most titlesCooley Kickhams (15)
SponsorsJohn O'Neill Sand and Gravel

Format

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All 12 teams play each other once, with the top four traditionally qualifying for the semi-final stage. The semi-final victors then face off in the final of the competition. There is also relegation to Division 2 for the worst-performing team(s).[1]

Trophy

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The winning team is presented with the Cardinal O'Donnell Cup, named after Patrick O'Donnell, who was Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland from 1924 until his death in October 1927.

The trophy, which was donated to the County Board of Louth GAA by the Cardinal in 1926,[2] is a replica of the Ardagh Chalice. The inaugural winners of the competition were Wolfe Tones of Drogheda.

Roll of Honour

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# Team Wins Years won
1 Cooley Kickhams 15 1936, 1937, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1979, 1983, 1989, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008
2 Newtown Blues 14 1933, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1969, 1977, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2005, 2010, 2018, 2022
3 St Mary's 13 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1971, 1975, 1991, 2002, 2021, 2024
4 Clan na Gael 10 1929, 1982, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2000
5 Dundalk Young Irelands 6 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1948, 1978
St Patrick's 6 1999, 2003, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014
7 Stabannon Parnells 5 1945, 1950, 1951, 1995, 1998
Wolfe Tones 5 1927, 1928, 1931, 1934, 1935
9 Roche Emmets 4 1958, 1960, 1961, 2001
10 Dundalk Gaels 3 1942, 1943, 1944
11 Mattock Rangers 2 2011, 2015
Naomh Máirtín 2 2017, 2019
Oliver Plunketts 2 1957, 1959
Dreadnots 2 1988, 2016
15 O'Raghallaighs 1 1973
St Fechin's 1 1985
St Bride's 1 1968
St Mochta's 1 2023
Kilkerley Emmets 1 1980
Glyde Rangers 1 1932
Boyne Rangers 1 1930

Finals

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winners also won Louth Senior Football Championship that year

§ Title awarded to St Mary's after objection. Oliver Plunketts fielded an ineligible player

Year Winner Score Opponent Score Final Venue
2024[3] St Mary's 1-15 St Mochta's 1-12 Stabannon
2023[4] St Mochta's 0-12 Naomh Máirtín 0-11 Darver
2022[5] Newtown Blues 0-11 St Mary's 1-07 Darver
2021[6] St Mary's - A Final was not played - -
2020 Cancelled (COVID-19)
2019[7] Naomh Máirtín 2-19 St Mary's 1-12 The Grove
2018[8] Newtown Blues 2-10 Naomh Máirtín 1-08 Gaelic Grounds
2017[9] Naomh Máirtín 0-18 (AET) Dreadnots 1-10 The Grove
2016[10] Dreadnots 2-15 Geraldines 1-16 Stabannon
2015[11] Mattock Rangers 1-12 St Patrick's 0-14 Páirc Uí Mhuirí
2014[12] St Patrick's 1-10 Dreadnots 1-06 Clan na Gael Park
2013[13] St Patrick's 1-17 Cooley Kickhams 2-05 St Brigid's Park
2012[14] St Patrick's 0-18 O'Connells 0-08 St Brigid's Park
2011[15] Mattock Rangers 3-13 (AET) Dreadnots 2-12 McGeough Park
2010[16] Newtown Blues 0-15 Kilkerley Emmets 0-09 McGeough Park
2009[17] St Patrick's 0-12 (Replay) Newtown Blues 1-08 McGeough Park
2008[18] Cooley Kickhams 1-07 Newtown Blues 0-08 Clan na Gael Park
2007[19] Cooley Kickhams 0-08 (Replay) Naomh Malachi 0-06 Clan na Gael Park
2006[20] Cooley Kickhams 1-06 Glyde Rangers 0-08 St Brigid's Park
2005[21] Newtown Blues 0-11 Cooley Kickhams 0-07 Páirc Na nGael
2004 [22] Cooley Kickhams 1-10 Glyde Rangers 0-07 Clan na Gael Park
2003[23] St Patrick's 0-13 St Bride's 1-07 Clan na Gael Park
2002[24] St Mary's 1-05 Mattock Rangers 0-04 Gaelic Grounds
2001 [25] Roche Emmets 1-09 St Patrick's 0-08 St Brigid's Park
2000[26] Clan na Gael 2-05 (Replay) Cooley Kickhams 1-06 St Brigid's Park
1999 St Patrick's 1-14 Cooley Kickhams 0-09 St Brigid's Park
1998 Stabannon Parnells 0-08 Newtown Blues 0-05 Páirc Mhuire
1997 Clan na Gael 1-08 (Replay) Newtown Blues 1-05 The Grove
1996 Clan na Gael 1-12 St Patrick's 0-03 St Brigid's Park
1995 Stabannon Parnells 0-11 St Joseph's 0-07 The Grove
1994 Clan na Gael 3-07 Dundalk Gaels 1-11 St Brigid's Park
1993 Clan na Gael 2-07 (Replay) Stabannon Parnells 1-08 St Brigid's Park
1992 Clan na Gael 0-12 Newtown Blues 1-05 The Grove
1991 St Mary's 1-11 Stabannon Parnells 0-04 Knockbridge
1990 Clan na Gael 1-09 St Mary's 0-06 Cluskey Park
1989 Cooley Kickhams 0-06 St Patrick's 0-05 St Brigid's Park
1988[27] Dreadnots 0-13 St Mary's 2-04 The Grove
1987 Clan na Gael 1-08 Dreadnots 0-05 The Grove
1986 Newtown Blues 0-10 Clan na Gael 1-04 Páirc Mhuire
1985[28] St Fechin's 0-09 Cooley Kickhams 1-03 McGeough Park
1984 Newtown Blues 0-08 Dundalk Young Irelands 0-03 McGeough Park
1983 Cooley Kickhams 2-07 Clan na Gael 0-07 St Brigid's Park
1982 Clan na Gael 2-10 Newtown Blues 0-04 The Grove
1981 Newtown Blues 2-11 Kilkerley Emmets 1-05 Cluskey Park
1980 Kilkerley Emmets 1-09 Cooley Kickhams 2-05 Clan na Gael Park
1979 Cooley Kickhams 1-07 Clan na Gael 1-06 St Brigid's Park
1978 Dundalk Young Irelands 1-11 St Mary's 0-04 Páirc Mochta
1977 Newtown Blues 2-09 Roche Emmets 2-05 The Grove
1976 Cooley Kickhams 2-10 Newtown Blues 1-09 Clan na Gael Park
1975 St Mary's w/o O'Raghallaighs scr. Páirc Uí Mhuirí
1974 Cooley Kickhams 1-14 St Mary's 1-06 Knockbridge
1973 O'Raghallaighs 1-11 St Bride's 0-06 Páirc Mhuire
1972 Cooley Kickhams 3-08 (Replay) Newtown Blues 2-05 Knockbridge
1971 St Mary's 1-07 O'Raghallaighs 1-05 Páirc Uí Mhuirí
1970 Cooley Kickhams 4-03 Newtown Blues 2-05 The Grove
1969 Newtown Blues 1-08 Mattock Rangers 1-05 The Grove
1968 St Bride's 1-10 (Replay, AET) St Mary's 0-07 Páirc Mochta
1967 Cooley Kickhams - A Final was not played - -
1966 Cooley Kickhams 2-08 Newtown Blues 1-10 St Brigid's Park
1965 Newtown Blues 3-08 Clan na Gael 1-07 Páirc Uí Mhuirí
1964 Newtown Blues 1-10 O'Raghallaighs 1-05 Gaelic Grounds
1963 Newtown Blues 3-07 Roche Emmets 0-05 The Grove
1962 Newtown Blues 1-15 Roche Emmets 0-05 Knockbridge
1961 Roche Emmets 1-10 Newtown Blues 1-05 St Brigid's Park
1960 Roche Emmets 3-04 Newtown Blues 1-09 Knockbridge
1959[29] Oliver Plunketts 0-06 Roche Emmets 0-03 Páirc Mhuire
1958 Roche Emmets 2-07 Darver Volunteers 0-04 Knockbridge
1957 Oliver Plunketts 1-04 Dundalk Young Irelands 0-05 Knockbridge
1956[30] St Mary's 0-06 Dundalk Young Irelands 0-05 Athletic Grounds
1955[30] St Mary's 2-08 Stabannon Parnells 1-04 Athletic Grounds
1954[30] § St Mary's 1-07 Oliver Plunketts 1-08 Gaelic Grounds
1953[30] St Mary's - A Final was not played - -
1952[30] St Mary's 3-09 St Magdalene's 2-03 Gaelic Grounds
1951 Stabannon Parnells 2-07 Dundalk Young Irelands 0-07 Stabannon
1950 Stabannon Parnells 2-03 Dundalk Gaels 1-00 The Grove
1949 St Mary's 3-03 Dundalk Young Irelands 1-05 Páirc Mhuire
1948 Dundalk Young Irelands 2-10 St Mary's 2-05 Athletic Grounds
1947 St Mary's w/o Clan na Gael scr. Gaelic Grounds
1946 Cancelled
1945 Stabannon Parnells 0-05 St Magdalene's 0-04 Athletic Grounds
1944 Dundalk Gaels 0-07 St Magdalene's 0-02 Athletic Grounds
1943 Dundalk Gaels 1-06 St Bride's 1-05 Athletic Grounds
1942 Dundalk Gaels 1-06 St Bride's 1-03 Athletic Grounds
1941 Dundalk Young Irelands 3-07 Darver Young Irelands 1-01 The Grove
1940 Dundalk Young Irelands 1-05 Glyde Rangers 1-03 The Grove
1939 Dundalk Young Irelands 3-03 Darver Young Irelands 1-03 Athletic Grounds
1938 Dundalk Young Irelands 2-05 Wolfe Tones 1-03 Athletic Grounds
1937 Cooley Kickhams 1-06 Wolfe Tones 1-04 Gaelic Grounds
1936 Cooley Kickhams 3-06 Wolfe Tones 1-01 Athletic Grounds
1935 Wolfe Tones 1-04 St Magdalene's (Drogheda) 1-03 Gaelic Grounds
1934 Wolfe Tones 0-07 Newtown Blues 0-03 Gaelic Grounds
1933 Newtown Blues 1-04 Glyde Rangers 1-02 Athletic Grounds
1932 Glyde Rangers 2-03 Newtown Blues 1-01 Gaelic Grounds
1931 Wolfe Tones 2-06 Newtown Blues 1-06 Gaelic Grounds
1930 ‡ Boyne Rangers 4-03 Wolfe Tones 1-02 Gaelic Grounds
1929 Clan na Gael 3-02 Wolfe Tones 0-03 Athletic Grounds
1928 Wolfe Tones 0-06 Boyne Rangers (Drogheda) 0-01 Gaelic Grounds
1927 Wolfe Tones 1-07 Gardaí 0-06 Gaelic Grounds

See also

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  • Mulligan, Fr.John (1984). The GAA in Louth - An Historical Record.
  • Mulligan, Fr.John (2000). The GAA in Louth - An Historical Record (updated).

References

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  1. ^ "Dundalk Gaels capable of capping a remarkable season by relegating Dreadnots to Division 2". Drogheda Independent. 7 October 2022.
  2. ^ "How Louth GAA's top trophies got their names". Dundalk Democrat. 23 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Marys claim Division 1 League title as Hunterstown score last gasp winner in Intermediate Championship". LMFM. 19 August 2024.
  4. ^ "St Mochtas' prayers are answered as the Cardinal is in residence at long last". The Argus. 13 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Hard working Newtown Blues gain revenge in league decider". Dundalk Democrat. 30 November 2022.
  6. ^ "CARDINAL O'DONNELL IN ARDEE FOR FIRST TIME IN 19 YEARS". Louth GAA. 3 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Sam's the man for Mairtins". The Argus. 14 September 2019.
  8. ^ "O'Donnell Cup final: Blues complete memorable league season". Hogan Stand. 10 September 2018.
  9. ^ "Jocks claim maiden senior honour with extra-time win over Dreadnots". Dundalk Democrat. 14 October 2017.
  10. ^ "Dreadnots finally deliver some silverware". Dundalk Democrat. 10 October 2016.
  11. ^ "FL1 final: Mattock are champions as Pat's unbeaten run ends". Hogan Stand. 27 October 2015.
  12. ^ "Pat's complete double to bring bittersweet season to an end". Dundalk Democrat. 25 November 2014.
  13. ^ "Cardinal O'Donnell final: Pat's retain title in style". Hogan Stand. 3 November 2013.
  14. ^ "Paddy leads Pats to double delight". Drogheda Independent. 12 December 2012.
  15. ^ "Clear signs of progress". Hogan Stand. 27 November 2011.
  16. ^ "Win gives boost to hopes for next year". Drogheda Independent. 24 November 2010.
  17. ^ "ugly end to season as Pats have the final say". Drogheda Independent. 2 December 2009.
  18. ^ "Third successive title for Cooley Kickhams". The Argus. 29 October 2008.
  19. ^ "League title consolation for Cooley". Drogheda Independent. 5 December 2007.
  20. ^ "Heartbreaking defeat for Glyde in cup final". The Argus. 13 December 2006.
  21. ^ "Lack of firepower costs Cooley again". The Argus. 11 November 2005.
  22. ^ "Red card only spurred the winners on". The Argus. 5 November 2004.
  23. ^ "Famous double ends St Pats perfect season". Drogheda Independent. 12 December 2003.
  24. ^ "Gutsy 14-man St Marys deny Mattock the double". Drogheda Independent. 6 December 2002.
  25. ^ "Roche win O'Donnell Cup after 40 years". The Argus. 30 November 2001.
  26. ^ "Clans win Cardinal ODonnell Cup again!". The Argus. 10 November 2000.
  27. ^ "Sporting headlines from the past". The Argus. 17 December 2008.
  28. ^ "Fechin's featured in first TV match". Drogheda Independent. 5 August 2005.
  29. ^ "Plunketts clinch the O'Donnell". Drogheda Independent. 12 September 1959.
  30. ^ a b c d e "Ardee's farewell to Paddy Beahan". Drogheda Independent. 27 February 2016.
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