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.

Format

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.

Trophy

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, is a replica of the Ardagh Chalice. The inaugural winners of the competition were Wolfe Tones of Drogheda.

Roll of Honour

#TeamWinsYears won
1Cooley Kickhams151936, 1937, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1979, 1983, 1989, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008
2Newtown [Blues GAC|Newtown Blues]141933, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1969, 1977, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2005, 2010, 2018, 2022
3St Mary's131947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1971, 1975, 1991, 2002, 2021, 2024
4Clan na Gael101929, 1982, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2000
5Dundalk [Young Irelands GFC|Dundalk Young Irelands]61938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1948, 1978
5St Patrick's61999, 2003, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014
7Stabannon Parnells51945, 1950, 1951, 1995, 1998
7Wolfe Tones51927, 1928, 1931, 1934, 1935
9Roche Emmets41958, 1960, 1961, 2001
10Dundalk Gaels31942, 1943, 1944
11Dreadnots21988, 2016
11Mattock [Rangers GAA|Mattock Rangers]22011, 2015
11Naomh Máirtín22017, 2019
11Oliver Plunketts21957, 1959
11St Mochta's22023, 2025
16O'Raghallaighs11973
16St Fechin's11985
16St Bride's11968
16Kilkerley Emmets11980
16Glyde Rangers11932
16Boyne Rangers11930

Finals

winners also won Louth [Senior Football Championship] that year
§ ''Title awarded to St Mary's after objection. Oliver Plunketts fielded an ineligible player''