SHC B semi final: Dunderry delight at Devenish Park

Cathal Barron keeps possession for Dunderry despite pressure from Longwood's Mark Kennedy and Billy Hogan during the SHC B semi final at Devenish Park

Dunderry 3-19 Longwood 1-16

Heavy rainfall all morning didn't dampen the spirits before this eagerly anticipated semi final at Devenish Park Meath GAA Centre of Excellence.

Jamie Duffy collected the throw in and passed to Barron who looked up and found Evan Nolan who marked his return to action with the opener of the evening. Longwood hit a brace from play and a free to let Dunderry know that they are up for it. 

Jack Fagans puc out was perfect to Níall O'Leary who passed at speed to Jamie Leavy who in turn kept the momentum going to Evan Nolan and BANG back of the net. The resulting puc out was taken down by Fionn McHale who picked out Adam Kelly who raised a white flag. 

Drive it on from here you'd think? 

Longwood had different ideas however and after a free they hit four more points in a row to lead by three. 

Jamie Leavy earned a free and Nolan reduced the deficit to two. 

The sides traded 65's before Luke Martyn reached highest and drilled over the bar and now there was the minimum between the sides. 

Longwood stretched that lead out to three with a superbly struck sideline followed by another free. 

An Evan Nolan free from between the two dug outs hung up in the breeze after a little bit of encouragement from the Longwood side line but, he followed it in and when the ball came to him a second time he made no mistake and burried it. Draw match. Was this the turning point we wondered? Nolan drilled two more frees over before the half after Duffy and Barron were fouled heading goalwards.  

Half time Dunderry 2-07 to Longwood 0-11

Jamie Leavy opened the second half scoring with a fine point on the move. 

Peessure on the line from Barron forced an overturn which Conor Leavy delivered into the hand of Luke Martyn. He pointed with conviction.  A pair of identical points followed off the stick of Jamie Leavy who was now playing some super hurling. 

Longwood respond from play before Nolan struck another free after Barron was hauled down once more. Six between them now in favor of Dunderry. Two Healy frees had it down to four however.

Another interception from McHale who passed to Lukey and he kept the scoreboard moving.  

A big moment for Dunderry saw the introduction of Mark Leavy into the fray after a lay up due to a fairly serious injury earlier in the summer. His first touch was the perfect pass to Ciarán O'Brien who split the posts. O'Brien doubled his tally within a minute this time Jamie Duffy picking him out. Another Nolan free put eight between the sides. 

Longwood pull one back from placed ball themselves.  

O'Brien and Leavy linked up again and when the latter struck goalwards it came off the keepers hurley and hit the top of the net. Welcome back Mark. 

More subs were being introduced at this stage as Nolan and Healy exchanged frees.

Martyn raised another white flag for the Village. 

A free for Longwood went straight to the back of the net but it was too late in the day to spark a comeback. A similar free two minutes later however had Fagan and his defence on their toes. Fagan, who's puck outs were spot on all day faced down the free and never faltered nor blinked but cleared the net bound attempt to O'Leary who drove it forwards where a foul was committed and Nolan punished it. No more handy goals. 

Longwood had one more attack but this time full back Conor Leavy commanded the situation and his clearance was followed by the final whistle.  

A great win over a dogged Longwood side who just kept coming back for more. 

A well earned spot in a final now for Timber Leavys men who will no doubt be seeking revenge for the group game in which they suffered a heavy defeat. 

On the upcoming final Leavy called out for support. From Tullyard to Tullaghanstown, Meadstown to Churchtown, Robinstown to Moymet. Ó Iaskroon go Laimbé. From Connels Cross to Ardgreah, from Tullaghanogue to Dunlough and everywhere in between. Get behind the lads and come out in force for the final.  

Dunderry: Jack Fagan, Darragh Fay, Conor Leavy, TJ Loughran, Níall Ó Laoire, Fionn McHale, Rian Fay, Adam Kelly 0-1, Jamie Duffy, Cathal Barron, Luke Martyn 0-4, Ciarán O Brien 0-2, Evan Nolan 2-09 (7f 1 x65), Jamie Leavy 0-3, Harry Crinion 

Subs: Mark Leavy 1-0 for Crinion, Rónán Brady for Loughran, Nial Darcy for O Brien, Podge Stephens for Duffy, Jordan Martin for Nolan