Na Fianna: 1-18 Dunshaughlin: 2-14

Na Fianna scraped past the stern challenge of Dunshaughlin in this AFL Division one game played in blistering heat in Dunshaughlin on Sunday afternoon to pick up their third win of the campaign. The game was evenly contested throughout but midway through the second half, the home side held a six point lead and looked set to coast to victory.

Both sides matched each other well in the opening half, with Na Fianna recovering well from an early goal by the home side. Damien Downey was in fine scoring form pointing twice, as did Barry Slevin, while Ciaran Holton hit a lovely point from out on the right wing. Daniel Queeney was on target with frees and from play as the sides were tied at the break, 0-9 to 1-06.

The second half saw Dunshaughlin take over and open up and six point lead. However, efforts from Ollie Lewis, Daniel and Brian Queeney and Barry Slevin brought Na Fianna within two and when Jamie Queeney was fouled in the box for a penalty, he duly dispatched to the net as the visitors went ahead.

Further points from Slevin and Lewis put Na Fianna three up, and two late points from the home side were not enough as Na Fianna collected a fortunate win.

Na Fianna had excellent performances from Shane Geraghty in goals, Ciaran Holton, Anthony Neary, Ollie Lewis, Damien Downey, Barry Slevin, Daniel Queeney and Jamie Queeney.

Na Fianna: Shane Geraghty, John Baldwin, Christy Cosgrave, James Geagan, Ciaran Holton (0-1), Anthony Neary (0-1), Peter Slevin, Brian Queeney (0-1), Ollie Lewis (0-2), Micky Collins, Dean Barrett, Damien Downey (0-3), Barry Slevin (0-3), Jamie Queeney (1-01, 1 pen), Daniel Queeney (0-6, 2f). Sub: Lee Hyland for Collins.

Dunshaughlin Report

Dunshaughlin 2-14 Na Fianna 1-18

Played in tropical Hawaiian conditions in Dunshaughlin, Na Fianna came out on top by the narrowest of margins in this A League fixture. Dunshaughlin will be waking up on Monday wondering how this result happened, as they led by 6 points midway through the second half after playing some excellent football.

Shane Geraghty was the hero for Na Fianna as he pulled off 6 top class saves that Peter, and even his son Kasper Schmeichel would have been proud have. On another day, the home side would have come out on top but Geraghty had other ideas.

The first half was an even contest with both sides trading scores. Dunshaughlin's forwards were proving a handful and kicked some excellent scores. In midfield, newly engaged man Jack Crimmins caught the eye with some great fielding. His partner in crime Ray Maloney, fresh from African Day in the Phoenix Park, got the score of the half as he finished an excellent team move and he slotted the ball into the net.

Dunshaughlin moved through the gears. Ben Duggan struck the bar, Geraghty saved from Cathal O'Dwyer and Stephen Ward had a penalty saved also. However Tadgh O'Dushlaine assisted by a strong tropical breeze, scored an excellent 45. The score line was level at the break.

The home side got off to a blistering start in the second half. Points from O'Dwyer, O'Dushlaine, Shane 'the bookie' Gallogly, Garfield Ward and a goal from veteran Trevor Dowd saw them race into a lead. Na Fianna then fought back with some excellent points of their own. Dunshaughlin will rue some missed opportunities that surely would have put the game to bed. Lively Niall Byrne had an effort saved from Geraghty as did Garfield Ward. With these misses came more Na Fianna belief.

Na Fianna then went ahead with a penalty of their own in the closing stages. Dunshaughlin didn't lie down and struck back with points from Dunboyne soccer star Eoin Hagarty and a Stephen Ward effort that could have snuck under the crossbar.

Despite being beaten Dunshaughlin can be happy with their overall effort. They played some excellent football throughout and could have easily won the game but for those missed opportunities.

Dunshaughlin: M. Ahern, D. Dunne, A.Doyle, W. Delaney, D. Quinn, C. King, T.O'Dushlaine (0-4), R. Maloney (1-0), J.Crimmins, S. Gallogly (0-2), T.Dowd (1-0), B.Duggan, N. Byrne (0-1), S. Ward (0-2), C.O'Dwyer (0-3). Subs: E Hagarty (0-2)  

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