Dunshaughlin 1-8 St.Pats 0-10

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end" (John 3:14)

Saturday 6th February marked a first for Dunshaughlin on many levels. It was the first time they played under lights in Stamullen. It was the first time their new management squad took charge of a competitive game and most bizarrely it was the first time a Dunshaughlin player sported a hairband in a match. One thing that remained constant however was Dunshaughlin's great form in the A League. The reigning champions picked up where they left off last year with 2 points from a game played in blustery conditions.

Playing with the elements in the first half, Dunshaughlin struggled to get going against a hard working St. Pats side. Scores were hard to come by for both sides. Dunshaughlin got on the score sheet first from their reliable free taker Cathal O'Dwyer who pointed from a tricky position. Dunshaughlin were dealt an early blow with their influential Castleknock based midfielder Ray Maloney going off with a nasty groin injury. The home side gained the upper hand towards the end of the first half. Former Meath netminder Michael Ahern had to be alert as St .Pats played long balls into the square towards Cormac Sullivan. Dunshaughlin finished the scoring in the first half through a well taken point by Shane Gallogly after veteran forward Trevor Dowd was fouled.

Dunshaughlin manager Anthony Moyles and his management squad changed tactics at half time and this seemed to spark life into Dunshaughlin. Fergus Toolan came out around the middle of the field and had a growing influence on the match with his powerful runs. Young Danny Quinn got on plenty of possession and drove forward at every opportunity. Dunshaughlin could have had a goal early in the second half after a great move up the field. Danny Quinn played a Trevor Giles like pass into O'Dwyer who turned his man but his effort was well saved by the St. Pats goalkeeper.

Some of the spectators said it was possibly the greatest save they had ever seen. Maynooth star Ben Duggan began linking play on the left hand side and it was his excellently taken goal that turned the game in Dunshaughlin's favour midway through the second half. Further points followed from O'Dwyer and players rep Tadgh O'Dushlaine who broke forward at every opportunity in the second half. O'Dushlaine, playing in only his second year of senior football provided an excellent attacking platform from the half back line.

St. Pats refused to go away and scored 3 points in a row with 5 minutes to go. With the game in the melting pot, pharmacist John Crimmins won some vital possession around the middle of the field and father of one Niall Murphy began running at the heart of the St.Pats defence. It was left to Shane Gallogly who, from an acute angle, scored a point that was reminiscent of Brendan Reilly in 1996 against Mayo. Dunshaughlin will be happy to start their league campaign with a win. It's early days for Anthony Moyles and his management squad, but he will be quite pleased with what he saw.

His team showed great heart, pride and passion in the second half. Bigger days lie ahead for Dunshaughlin and they will be hoping for another win next weekend against Dunboyne. It was a great team display on the night with many players showing excellent form. However, Man of the Match goes to former county minor Danny Quinn whose second half performance was one of the main reasons Dunshaughlin came out on top.

"Yea, it was a tough game. We had to grind it out and we did that well", said hairband wearing Fearghal Delaney at the final whistle.

Dunshaughlin: Michael Ahern, Al Doyle, Ronan 'Bacon' Geraghty, Rambler Delaney, Danny Quinn, Niall Murphy, Tadhg 'Legs' O'Dushlaine 0-1, John Crimmins, Ray Maloney, Ben Duggan 1-0, Trevor Dowd, Mark Devaney, Shane Gallogly 0-2, Fergus Toolan 0-1, Cathal O'Dwyer (C) 0-4

Tweet

Most Read Stories