Sunday, June 28, 1981

Roche Emmets opened the club's last senior championship title defence against Ardee St. Mary's on this day 40 years ago.

Winners of the Joe Ward Cup for a second time in 1980, with Mickey Quigley as team captain, the side were given a bye through to the quarter-final where the Deesiders provided the opposition in Haggardstown.

Emmets prevailed 0-6 to five in what was described as "one of the poorest senior title matches seen for years".

Funnily, The Democrat referred to the champs as "playing for three quarters of the match only, and at a pace that was only marginally faster than walking".

It took Emmets 23 minutes to get off the mark, through Paul McGee, and though trailing 0-3 to two at the interval, Roche were better in the second half – "Eugene Marmion and James Quigley came into their own nearing the halfway mark" with Noel Callan and McGee "consistent throughout".

"The move which led to the Roche winner started at the other end of the field. Ardee failed to take advantage of a close-in free and Roche worked their way down for Paul Woods to coolly tap the ball over the bar from close range.

"Best for the winners were Noel Callan, Seán McArdle, McGee, Dermot Lennon and John Martin."

Roche: Jarlath Brett; Seán McGee, Seánie McArdle, Kevin Callan; Michael Coburn, Noel Callan, Mal Quigley; James Quigley, Eugene Marmion; John Martin, Paul McGee, Dermot Lennon; Paul Woods, Tommy Parkin, Paddy Woods

Sub: Eugene Woods for Paddy Woods

St. Mary's: Alfie McGivern; Tommy Clarke, Tom Rice, Jim Tenanty; John McMullen, Tommy Kirk, Fintan Kerr; Jim Clifford, Adrian Boyle; Michael McDonnell, Austin McKenny, Bartle Landy; Jim McMullen, Davy McCoy, Seán Ross

Subs: Jimmy Durrigan for McDonnell

Referee: George McGuigan

Unfortunately, despite a battling display, superior to the one they gave in their opening outing, Roche exited the championship at the hands of Cooley Kickhams at the last four stage, 1-9 to 1-6.

Pictured: Kevin Callan tackles Jim McMullen.