AFL1: Dunshaughlin win in Batterstown
February 16, 2015
Dunshaughlin's Fergus Toolan
Dunshaughlin 1-11
Blackhall Gaels 2-06
The short trip to Batterstown was the venue as Dunshaughlin faced neighbours Blackhall Gaels in the second round of the league played on Sunday afternoon.
Things could not have started any better for the visitors when after 6 mins wing forward Fergus Toolan showed great composure to find the back of the Blackhall Gaels net and be on the end of a fantastic Dunshaughlin move that started from a pirlo like pass from Fearghal Delaney in defence that found Ronan Geraghty whos beautiful foot pass then found Cathal o'Dwyer who then expertly offloaded to the on running Toolan who made no mistake. Shane Gallogly has been in good form as of late and a converted free and a point from play along with a fine long range effort from Ben Duggan meant it was all Dunshaughlin after 20 mins played of football. Dunshaughlin could have very easily have scored another goal but were guilty of over elaborating in front of goal but a point from Tadhg O'Dushlaine seen them 7 points up and in total control of the game. A converted Tadhg Bronsan free after 24 mins seen Blackhalls first score of the game but this was to be cancelled out by a converted Cathal O'Dwyer free after 28 minutes before the score of the match came from veteran midfielder Ray Maloney who's brilliant point just oozed class at the stroke of half time.
Dunshaughlin picked up where they left off in the second half with Cathal O'Dwyer getting his first score from play that was helped by a sublime pass from Shane Gallogly and some good work from Mark Devaney. A brace of Blackhall points meant they were still alive but Tadhg O' Dushlaine had other ideas with the attacking wingback getting his second of the game after 41 mins of football following some very impressive passing and support play from the Dunshaughlin forwards. Ben Duggan and Cathal O'Dwyer were to add further scores for Dunshaughlin after 50 mins but from here on they strangely seemed to loose their way in the match with Blackhall waving attack after attack that seen them scoring 2-02 and amazingly claw their way back into the match and now to be trailing by 1 point. Thankfully for Dunshaughlin Shane Galloglys interception and liam Hayes like run in injury time resulted in a fine score that broke the Blackhall dominance and see Dunshaughlin hang on to win by two points with John Crimmons, Ray Maloney,Shane Gallogly, Ben Duggan and Tadhg O'Dushlaine impressing.
Dunshaughlin - S.Clusker, F.Delaney ,ADoyle M.Aherne,D.Dunne.C.King,T.O'Dushlaine(0-02),J.Crimmons,R.Maloney(0-01), F.Toolan (1-00), B.Duggan(0-02), M.Devaney ,S.Gallogly (0-03), R.Geraghty C.O'Dwyer (0-03). Subs - N.Murphy for F.Toolan. N.Byrne for R.Geraghty,T.Dowd for M.Devaney
Match summary: Last Sunday saw Blackhall battle neighbours Dunshaughlin in the second round of the A league in Batterstown. The lads lined out in the freezing cold as did a number of spectators from both clubs. The game started sloppily, with silly mistakes and game slowing frees. The open score came after 13 minutes, a superb goal for Dunshaughlin. Blackhall battled hard against the town team, and the wind, for the first half and had it been a different day would have come out at the half on a different note. However, the game was not in the Gaels' favour and at the break only Tadhg Brosnan had scored, from a placed ball. Despite the poor scoring, the players did work hard and had several chances, including a Kevin O'Keane spectacular and a Paul Kelly goal chance, which both curled wide. Dunshaughlin, at the break were ahead 1-6 to that single point.
But this match was a game of two halves. After the break Blackhall came out rearing to go. The four starting Kellys ran riot around the pitch, especially brothers John and Paul who were involved in nearly every play. Sean Whelan managed to get himself on the score board early in the second half which set the precedence for the rest of the match. Blackhall lifted their game and for the majority of the second half Dunshaughlin found it difficult to contain them, and battle the wind. Two heart stopping goals for Blackhall had the frostbitten crowd wide awake for the final quarter. Blackhall made brilliant use of their subs, Dermot Carty stopping a certain goal at one end while Tom Murphy and the fifth and youngest Kelly (James) were setting up scores and winning balls at the other end. The spoils however went to Dunshaughlin, who picked up the pace at the final hurdle, keeping their nose in front at all times. The final score saw just two points in it Blackhall 2-6 to Dunshaughlin's 1-11. The lads now turn their attention to the Feis Cup this Sunday at 3 in Senchalstown.
Blackhall Gaels - Tommy Dalton , Michael Whelan , Colm Mc Elligott (captain) , Daniel Carty , Niall Kelly , Dan O'Neill , Kevin O'Keane , Paddy O'Brien , Donnacha Tobin (0-1), John Kelly (0-1), Sean Whelan (0-2), Alan Nestor , John Kelly (1-0), Tadhg Brosnan (1-2), Paul Kelly. Subs: , Conor Delaney, Dermot Carty, Tom Murphy, James Kelly.
