Castletown 5-12 Dunderry 2-10

The lush plains of north Meath was the venue for the clash of Castletown & Dunderry. A beautiful Saturday evening meant a decent crowd rolled up to the Knock venue to see two teams set to meet in the next round of the intermediate championship. Luckily for those spectators this wasn't a case of shadow boxing as the teams served up an open encounter with plenty of high quality scores.

Dunderry started the brighter, registering the first 2 points before the in-form Barry Smith opened the account with a well taken free kick. When Dunderry added 2 more points it looked like Castletown's hopes of going the distance in the league we fading. Dunderry were cutting the home side open and showed an economy of effort in front of the posts whereas Castletown were showing a lack of composure kicking 4 wides in quick succession.
It took a fortuitous goal from Gerry Farrelly, when his speculative long range effort found the net, to kick start the Castletown revival. He quickly followed up with a superb long range point. When James Finnerty also raised the green flag it was business as usual for the men in green. That goal highlight all that is good with the Castletown style of play this year as the ball was moved quickly by foot and hand until the opening was found and the surgical strike administered. 4 more points in the first half left the scores Castletown 2-6 Dunderry 0-5.

The game continued in much the same manner in the second half. Barry Smith opened the account, and that was followed by a wonderful attack and score from corner back Joey Carry. It wasn't all positive for the home side as Wayne Donegan had to retire from the game with what looked like a serious shoulder injury.

It was at this time that Dunderry received a lifeline. A goalmouth scramble presented an opportunity for the Dunderry attack. This wasn't passed up as the the ball was toe poked to the net. Some fine scores from ground balls followed for Dunderry but the writing was on the wall. Barry Smith goaled mid way through the second half when a point was the more obvious option and his brother Kenny followed up soon after with a major.
At this stage Castletown had almost full control on the game, Francis Hoey & Farrelly dominating midfield and supplying the forwards with the amunition for the ground and air offensive. Shane Farrelly added a second point for his day, his second positive display in a week coming on the back of a long lay-off. Dunderry second goal came from a high ball into the square was punched to the net. That effort was all too late for the visitors when Castletown substitute Andrew Kenny was on hand to wrap thinks up with the last kick of the game, shooting low and hard to the net.

Castletown team- Paul Smith, Joey Carry (0-1), Francis Bellew, Jonathan Metry, Noel Smyth, Wayne Donegan, Ross Blaney, Gerry Farrelly(1-2), Francis Hoey, Tommy Smith(0-1), James Finnerty(1-2), Kenny Smith(1-1), Shane Farrelly(0-2), Barry Smith(1-3), Jamie McMahon. Subs used-William Bellew, Alan Smyth, Conor Price, Andrew Kenny(1-0) Tweet

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