Dunshaughlin 1-16 St. Colmcilles 0-9

Ronan 'Bacon' Geraghty was the key man in Piltown tonight as Dunshaughlin easily saw off the challenge of St. Colmcilles in the 5th round of the AFL.

It was the first time in quite a number of years that Dunshaughlin played league football so close to the seaside. Poor Fearghal Delaney was so excited that he even found room in his gear bag for a bucket and spade. Judging by his left footed effort in the second half, it was clear his mind was on other things such as sandcastles, jellyfish, 99s with a flake and collecting shells.

Dunshaughlin moved the ball very efficiently in the first half and put some excellent scores on the board. Points from the evergreen Trevor Dowd, Tadgh 'Legs' O' Dushlaine, Dan Quinn and Geraghty were the highlights of the half. Geraghty's early goal set the away team on their way and they never looked back. The goal came as a result of some excellent build up play down the left hand side with Jack 'The Pharmacist' Crimmins providing the assist. Full back and team captain Caoimhin King ran the length of the field before receiving an offload, from that man Crimmins, before sending over a beautiful point near the end of the half.

Crimmins dominated proceedings around the middle and was helped out by over-worked Tayto Park employee Ben Duggan and Castleknock resident Ray Maloney. Dunshaughlin lost Stephen 'Garfield' Ward to injury early on - it looked like a hamstring from where I was standing.

In the second half Dunshaughlin picked up where they left off. Bookmaker Shane Gallogly found his stride, winning some great ball and kicking 3 excellent frees. Invisible man Mark Devaney survived what looked like a leg breaking tackle to get on the end of a well worked free kick from Trevor Dowd and slot over the bar. Dunshaughlin were guilty of some poor misses in the second half - two that stand out were both from hurlers - Mark Devaney and Fearghal Delaney. Delaney had to leave the field near the end of the game due to a serious case of 'Catwalk Cramp'.

As the frosty air came down on Piltown, linesman Hugh McCarthy was cursing himself for letting Titch cut his hair too short. There was still time on the clock however for new Dunshaughlin signing and member of An Guarda Siochana Shane Waldron to kick over a booming effort from 40 yards.

All in all it was a good team performance from Dunshaughlin. However there is still plenty of room for improvement with Senchalstown arriving in Dunshaughlin on Saturday evening for round 6 of the AFL. The Waterford Crystal vase goes to Ronan Geraghty who looked sharp as he operated from the forty.

Dunshaughlin: Michael Ahern, Al Doyle, Caoimhin King (0-1), Rambler Delaney(0-1), Danny Quinn (0-1), Niall Murphy, Tadhg 'Legs' O'Dushlaine 0-2, John Crimmins, Ben Duggan, Shane Gallogly (0-3), Ron Geraghty (1-1), Mark Devaney (0-1), Raymond Maloney (0-1), Steve Ward (0-1), Trevor Dowd (0-1). Subs: Dan Ormbsy for Ward, Niall Byrne (0-3) for Devaney, Shane Waldron (0-1) for Delaney

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