St Mochta's GFC
| Naomh Mochta CPG | ||
| Founded: | 1934 | |
|---|---|---|
| County: | Louth | |
| Colours: | Amber and Blue | |
| Grounds: | Páirc Mochta, Artoney, Louth Village | |
| Coordinates: | 53°57′02″N 6°32′55″W / 53.95047°N 6.54874°W | |
| Playing kits | ||
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St Mochta's GFC is a Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club that fields Gaelic football teams in competitions organised by Louth GAA. It is based in the village of Louth, where Saint Mochta is said to have founded a monastery in the 6th century. Both the club and the football ground, which has been a frequent venue for county finals, are named in his honour.
In 2021 the club reached the final of the Louth Senior Football Championship for the first time. Their side, which included former AFL player and Louth county footballer Ciarán Byrne, lost by eleven points to defending champions Naomh Máirtín at Ardee's Páirc Mhuire.[1]
Cork-native John Moylan was manager of the senior team in 2023.[2] In August of that year St Mochta's won their first ever Senior trophy, the Cardinal O'Donnell Cup, by beating Naomh Máirtín in the Louth Senior Football League Final.[3]
St Mochta's regained their Division 1 League title in 2025, this time under the management of former Leitrim boss Stephen Poacher.[4]
Honours
- Cardinal O'Donnell Cup (2): 2023, 2025
- Louth Intermediate Football Championship (2): 1981,[5] 2018[6]
- Louth Junior Football Championship (5): 1944, 1975,[7] 1995,[8] 2004,[9] 2009[10]
- Louth Junior A Football League (3): 1936, 1973, 2007[11]
- Dealgan Milk Products Shield (1): 1984
- Kevin Mullen Shield (3): 1990, 1991, 2004[9]
- Louth Junior 2A Football Championship (3): 1935, 1956, 1970[12]
- Louth Junior 2A Football League (1): 1969[13]
- Louth Junior 2 Football League (Division 4C) (2): 2007, 2014
Inter-county players
St Mochta's players who have represented Louth at senior inter-county level include:
- John Byrne[14]
- Brendan Byrne[15]
- Declan Byrne[16]
- Ciarán Byrne
- Darren McMahon[17]
- Gerry Garland
- Craig Lennon[18]
References
- ^ "Magnificent Mairtins power to back-to-back Louth titles". Drogheda Independent. 7 November 2021.
- ^ "Louth GAA club management teams begin to take shape with several recent appointments". The Argus. 6 December 2022.
- ^ "St Mochtas' prayers are answered as the Cardinal is in residence at long last". The Argus. 13 August 2023.
- ^ "Clinical Mochtas crowned Cardinal O'Donnell Cup champions". Dundalk Democrat. 9 August 2025.
- ^ "Pints, marriage and an IFC final date with St. Fechin's - St. Mochtas' Eamon O'Neill is primed for the week of his life". Dundalk Democrat. 11 October 2018.
- ^ "IFC final: Mochtas come from behind in injury-time to complete stunning victory". Hogan Stand. 15 October 2018.
- ^ "Fechin's featured in first TV match". Drogheda Independent. 5 August 2005.
- ^ "Mochtas bite relegation bullet". Hogan Stand. 30 November 2003.
- ^ a b "Mochtas bounce back". Hogan Stand. 30 November 2004.
- ^ "Provincial glory beckons". Drogheda Independent. 25 November 2009.
- ^ "League winners". Hogan Stand. 30 November 2007.
- ^ "Louth". The Argus. 21 June 2006.
- ^ "All-Ireland winner and former Louth manager to be among the guests as St. Mochtas' weekend of celebration". Dundalk Democrat. 5 August 2019.
- ^ "Over 40 sets of brothers have played for Louth at senior level – are there more, though?". The Argus. 17 April 2023.
- ^ "Byrne fired up for Oz challenge". The Argus. 21 August 2013.
- ^ "Interview: Byrne pulls no punches". Hogan Stand. 30 December 2011.
- ^ "Team news: Louth make three changes". Hogan Stand. 3 February 2017.
- ^ "14-man Meath succumb to late Craig Lennon sucker-punch in blow for boss Colm O'Rourke". Irish Independent. 26 February 2023.