St Mochta's GFC
{{Short description|Louth-based Gaelic games club}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox GAA club
| club gaa = St Mochta's GFC
| irish = Naomh Mochta CPG
| founded = 1934
| province = Leinster
| county = Louth
| colours = Amber and Blue
| grounds = Páirc Mochta, Artoney, Louth Village
| coordinates = {{coord|53.95047|N|6.54874 |W|display=it|region:IE_type:landmark}}
| pattern_la = _blueborder
| pattern_ra = _blueborder
| pattern_b = _collar
| pattern_sh = _adidasyellow
| leftarm = FFBF00
| body = FFBF00
| rightarm = FFBF00
| shorts = 0000FF
| socks = 0000FF
}}
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.{{cite web |url=https://m.independent.ie/regionals/louth/sport/magnificent-mairtins-power-to-back-to-back-louth-titles-41027708.html|title=Magnificent Mairtins power to back-to-back Louth titles |work=Drogheda Independent|date=7 November 2021}}
As of 2023 John Moylan is manager of the senior team.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/louth/sport/gaa/louth-gaa-club-management-teams-begin-to-take-shape-with-several-recent-appointments/42199450.html|title=Louth GAA club management teams begin to take shape with several recent appointments|work =The Argus |date=6 December 2022}}
In August 2023 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.{{cite web|url = https://www.independent.ie/regionals/louth/sport/gaa/st-mochtas-prayers-are-answered-as-the-cardinal-is-in-residence-at-long-last/a1612064421.html| title =St Mochtas' prayers are answered as the Cardinal is in residence at long last| work = The Argus| date = 13 August 2023}}
Honours
- Cardinal O'Donnell Cup (1): 2023
- Louth Intermediate Football Championship (2): 1981,{{cite web|url=https://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/news/gaa/341023/pints-marriage-and-an-ifc-final-date-with-st-fechin-s-st-mochtas-eamon-o-neill-is-primed-for-the-week-of-his-life.html|title=Pints, marriage and an IFC final date with St. Fechin's - St. Mochtas' Eamon O'Neill is primed for the week of his life
|work =Dundalk Democrat |date=11 October 2018}} 2018{{cite news |url=https://hoganstand.com/Louth/article/index/291407 |title=IFC final: Mochtas come from behind in injury-time to complete stunning victory |work=Hogan Stand |date= 15 October 2018}}
- Louth Junior Football Championship (5): 1944, 1975,{{cite web |url= https://www.independent.ie/regionals/louth/drogheda-news/fechins-featured-in-first-tv-match/27103711.html|title=Fechin's featured in first TV match| work=Drogheda Independent|date=5 August 2005}} 1995,{{cite web |url=https://www.hoganstand.com/louth/Article/Index/60637|title=Mochtas bite relegation bullet
|work=Hogan Stand |date=30 November 2003}} 2004,{{cite web |url= https://www.hoganstand.com/county/louth/article/index/59926 |title= Mochtas bounce back |work=Hogan Stand |date= 30 November 2004}} 2009{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/frontpage/provincial-glory-beckons/26939160.html|title=Provincial glory beckons| work=Drogheda Independent |date=25 November 2009}}
- Louth Junior A Football League (3): 1936, 1973, 2007{{cite web |url= https://www.hoganstand.com/county/louth/article/index/91109|title= League winners|work=Hogan Stand |date= 30 November 2007}}
- Dealgan Milk Products Shield (1): 1984
- Kevin Mullen Shield (3): 1990, 1991, 2004{{cite web |url= https://www.hoganstand.com/county/louth/article/index/59926 |title= Mochtas bounce back |work=Hogan Stand |date= 30 November 2004}}
- Louth Junior 2A Football Championship (3): 1935, 1956, 1970{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/louth/dundalk-news/louth/26905591.html|title= Louth|work=The Argus |date= 21 June 2006}}
- Louth Junior 2A Football League (1): 1969{{cite web|url =https://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/news/gaa/436110/all-ireland-winner-and-former-louth-manager-to-be-among-the-guests-as-st-mochtas-weekend-of-celebration.html| title =All-Ireland winner and former Louth manager to be among the guests as St. Mochtas' weekend of celebration| work= Dundalk Democrat | date =5 August 2019}}
- 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{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/louth/sport/gaa/over-40-sets-of-brothers-have-played-for-louth-at-senior-level-are-there-more-though/42433962.html|title= Over 40 sets of brothers have played for Louth at senior level – are there more, though?|work=The Argus |date= 17 April 2023}}
- Brendan Byrne{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/louth/sport/gaa/byrne-fired-up-for-oz-challenge/29515676.html|title= Byrne fired up for Oz challenge|work=The Argus |date= 21 August 2013}}
- Declan Byrne{{cite web |url= https://hoganstand.com/article/index/159578|title=Interview: Byrne pulls no punches
|work=Hogan Stand |date= 30 December 2011}}
- Ciarán Byrne
- Darren McMahon{{cite web |url= https://www.hoganstand.com/type/football/article/index/265769 |title=Team news: Louth make three changes|work=Hogan Stand |date= 3 February 2017}}
- Gerry Garland
- Craig Lennon{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/14-man-meath-succumb-to-late-craig-lennon-sucker-punch-in-blow-for-boss-colm-orourke/42360210.html|title=14-man Meath succumb to late Craig Lennon sucker-punch in blow for boss Colm O'Rourke|work=Irish Independent |date= 26 February 2023}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Louth GAA clubs}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:St Mochta's GFC}}