Fifteen years after finally emerging from the intermediate ranks Dunderry returned to that grade in 2005 when their battle for survival in the SFC ended in bitter disappointment as they lost to Kilmainhamwood in the relegation decider at Kells in late October. A decade earlier the same clubs had clashed in the senior final as Dunderry won the Keegan Cup for the one and only time, but how their fortunes have plummeted in more recent times, which is somewhat surprising given the spell of dominance they enjoyed at under-21 level a few years back. That incredible day at Pairc Tailteann back in 1995 seemed but a distant memory as the Dunderry players trudged dejectedly back to the Kells dressingrooms after the five-point defeat against the Wood who had also won a do-or-die relegation match against Ballivor at the same venue two years earlier. Dunderry had played nine championship matches, won only one of them and, quite amazingly, failed to score a goal in the entire campaign. That statistic in its own right tells the story of a difficult year. Dunderry, who were coached by Daithi Stephens, were drawn in group A of the SFC, a section that also included Summerhill, Trim, Blackhall Gaels, Cortown, Ballinlough, Dunboyne and Navan O'Mahonys. It was a group that produced the four semi-finalists, but it also produced the greatest battle for survival as Dunderry, Ballinlough and Cortown became involved in a struggle to maintain their senior status. Ballinlough were first up for Dunderry at Pairc Tailteann back in April and when Stephens side managed a narrow 0-8 to 0-7 win they appeared to have given themselves a serious chance of staying up, even at that very early stage of the competition. Peadar Byrne was in magnificent form for Ballinlough as Dunderry adopted the long ball tactic into Keith and Barry Callaghan. The north Meath side led by 0-5 to 0-3 at the interval, but Dunderry pushed ahead by 0-7 to 0-6 in the third quarter, before Ballinlough scored what looked like an equaliser. However, Ivan McCormack had the last say with a late winner and a successful start had been made to the championship. It was only a second round match, but there was a lot at stake when Dunderry and Cortown clashed before a big crowd at Sean Newman Park, Bohermeen. Cortown had under-performed alarmingly first time out against Blackhall and they possessed a definite determination to make amends. They did, winning by 2-7 to 0-9 in the absence of the injured Gordon Codd. Dunderry weren't helped by the absence of Colm Harte, Barry Callaghan, Evan Stephens and David Callaghan and turned in a very poor display. Kevin Dowd blasted a penalty over the bar after 10 minutes and Cortown pushed into a 0-6 to 0-1 lead. When Micheal Reilly netted to leave them clear at 1-6 to 0-2 by half-time the writing was on the wall for Dunderry and four wides early in the second period did nothing to promote their cause. However, they did manage to close the deficit to 0-7 to 1-7 and saw some hope, but a Colm Kerrigan goal for Cortown killed off any chances of a successful Dunderry revival. Summerhill gained their first victory of the campaign when they trounced Dunderry by 3-12 to 0-7 in the third round at Boardsmill as Cathal Sheridan proved the tormentor in chief, scoring a highly impressive 2-8. The Hill led by 0-6 to 0-3 at the break and Dunderry reduced the gap to the minimum early in the second half, before a Paul Comey goal put Summerhill in the driving seat and they never looked back. Dunderry had Barry Callaghan and Kevin Dowd sent off in separate second half incidents. Dunderry were plunged deeper into relegation trouble when they lost to Blackhall Gaels by 0-13 to 4-7 in the fourth round at Dunsany. It was a determined display, but the concession of two goals in each half proved too big a burden. It looked quite encouraging as Dunderry moved into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead early on, but Blackhall got going and were ahead by 2-3 to 0-7 at the interval. They got another goal early in the second half, but Dunderry reduced the gap to 0-11 to 3-4, before a fourth goal sealed the issue in favour of the Kilcloon/Batterstown combination. Dunderry, despite being short several regulars, produced one of their best performances of the championship in the fifth round against Trim at Dunshaughlin, but it wasn't good enough as the town side won by 0-11 to 0-8. Goalkeeper Fiachra Geraghty was in superb form as he produced great saves from Eoin McGrath and Declan Murray and with David Callaghan - playing his first championship match since his return from the USA - impressive at full-back Dunderry turned in a spirited display. Trim led by 0-4 to 0-0 after seven minutes, by 0-6 to 0-2 at the interval and by 0-8 to 0-2 early in the second half, but Dunderry won the remainder by 0-6 to 0-3. Unfortunately, it wasn't sufficient to earn them the win that would have ultimately secured their survival. Navan O'Mahonys inflicted a fifth defeat of the campaign on Dunderry when beating them by 0-12 to 0-8 at Pairc Tailteann. The town team led by 0-7 to 0-2 at the break after playing with the wind and were heavily dependent on goalkeeper Marcus Brennan who made superb saves from John Kelleher in the first half and Ivan McCormack early in the second. Dunderry cut the gap to the minimum with 10 minutes remaining, thanks largely to the accuracy of David Jennings, but O'Mahonys kept their shape and their discipline and were four points to the good at the finish. A 0-3 to 0-15 defeat against champions to be Dunboyne in the final round of group matches at Dunshaughlin consigned Dunderry to a relegation dogfight as they finished level at the bottom of the group with Cortown and Ballinlough on two points. The win secured a place in the quarter-finals for the St. Peter's men who led by 0-7 to 0-1 at the interval and when Dunderry had Stephen O'Rourke sent off for a second yellow card four minutes from the end their day of misery was complete. They had managed to cut the arrears to 0-3 to 0-7 early in the second half, but Dunboyne moved up a gear again to push clear. Cortown secured their place in the top flight when they defeated Ballinlough in an initial relegation play-off and that meant the Lough would face Dunderry, with the winners safe and the losers meeting Kilmainhamwood to decide who would drop down to intermediate level. The Ballinlough-Dunderry match went to extra-time and turned into a thriller. The north Meath side had Declan Lynch and Jody Devine back in action and their presence helped significantly as they avenged that first round defeat when coming out on top by the minimum on a 2-8 to 0-13 score line. Ballinlough led by 0-5 to 0-3 at half-time in normal time and a goal from Derek Muldoon helped them to a 1-7 to 0-7 advantage. However, points from Bob Doherty, Barry Callaghan and Damien Clarke drew Dunderry level (0-10 to 1-7) and forced the tie to extra-time. David McCormack and Jennings were on target as Dunderry edged in front by 0-12 to 1-7 and they looked set to survive until Ballinlough turned the game on its head as Muldoon scored a second goal and substitute Peadar Byrne pointed to secure their safety and leave Dunderry staring into the last chance saloon. Kilmainhamwood had to wait a long time to play their do-or-die match in the championship as the three sides in the other group sorted themselves out, but there can be absolutely no denying that they were merited winners (0-8 to 0-3) against a very disappointing Dunderry side as they inflicted sufficient damage with the aid of the strong wind in the opening half to move into a position of supremacy. Dunderry had former star player Tommy Dowd - man of the match in the 1995 final and playing his football with Wolfe Tones in recent years - on the sideline and he must have sensed the danger signs as the Wood opened up a 0-7 to 0-1 interval advantage. Dunderry had kicked four wides in that half and when they added eight more in the first 11 minutes of the second period it was clear that they were heading back to the intermediate ranks. Kilmainhamwood managed to score only a point against the wind in the second half, but Dunderry did only marginally better with two and had Barry Callaghan sent off for a straight red card late in the game. The winners frustrated them with their keep ball tactics as time ticked away and the final whistle put the Dunderry players out of their misery on a day they'll wish to forget. It's now time for Dunderry to regroup. They possess a lot of young players who will mature in the Intermediate Championship and it might not be too long before they re back in the top flight again. Tweet

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