DUNDALK GAELS 1-8
DREADNOTS 0-11

A late point from the in-form James Califf rescued a draw for Dreadnots and denied Dundalk Gaels a first Senior Final appearances in 22 years.

In a tense semi-final at The Grove on Saturday night the teams couldn't be separated as the Dundalk side hit back from a four-point deficit in the first half it keep themselves in the game.

Although each team will feel they had chances to claim victory, both will be relieved to have another chance.

In a game that was billed as a clash between two contrasting styles, it was the Dreadnots who set down an early market as straight from the throw-in their quick attacking style cut through the packed Gaels defence, allowing Liam Shevlin to open the scoring.

That trend continued as Peter Kirwan added a second and James Califf scored the first of his seven points to put his side three clear on nine minutes.

The Gaels finally found their range as Sean Fee landed two points from frees, but then Califf took over as he kicked three in succession - one from play, one free and one '45' - to make it 0-6 to 0-2 after 20 minutes.

It was looking good for the Clogherhead men at that stage and could have been even better when Liam Shevlin got through on goal only to be denied by a fine save from Stephen McLaughlin.

The game took another twist soon after when Sean McCann's point effort fell short and Errol Boyle flicked it to the net.

Just before the break Anthony Williams responded for the Dreadnots to make it 0-7 to 1-2.

It appeared that Dreadnots had regained control when Califf pointed to extend the gap to three early in the second half, but the Dundalk side's response was swift as they kicked three points inside two minutes from Gerard McSorley, Kevin McArdle and Sean McCann to level matters.
Dreadnots hit back with points from Pepe Smith and Califf to lead by 0-10 to 1-5 at the end of the third quarter.

Once again the Colin Kelly's side weren't allow to build on that advantage as the Gaels replied with another rapid treble from McCann, McSorley and a Sean Fee free to lead by 1-8 to 0-10 after 54 minutes.

In a tense finale, it was no surprise that Califf landed an equaliser two minutes from time. However, the drama wasn't finished as Barry Faulkner was denied a goal by another McLaughlin save while at the other end, Gerard McSorley saw an effort go wide of the post.

DUNDALK GAELS: Stephen McLaughlin; David Moley, Jamie Faulkner, Eamonn Kenny; David McComish, James Stewart, Derek Crilly; Sean McCann 0-2, David Maloney; Andrew Coleman, Sean Fee (0-3), Darragh O'Callaghan; Kevin McArdle 0-1, Errol Boyle 1-0, Gerard McSorley 0-2. Subs: Niall Hearty for A Coleman, Anthony McSorley for E Boyle, Peter McGinnity for K McArdle.

DREADNOTS: Ciaran Cunningham; Derek Shevlin, Padraig Rath, Brian Gargan; Anthony Williams 0-1, Cian McEvoy, Barry Faulkner; James Califf 0-7, Pepe Smith 0-1; Richard Kirwan, Peter Kirwan 0-1, Liam Shevlin 0-1; Pat Lynch, David O'Brien, Ronan Fitzpatrick. Subs: Dermot Campbell for R Kirwan, Conor Campbell for R Fitzpatrick.

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