Dunshaughlin 1-10
Blackhall Gaels 1-6

Dunshaughlin claimed their first piece of silverware at senior level for nine years when winning the JMB Sportsfields Feis Cup with a hard fought 1-10 to 1-6 victory over neighbours Blackhall Gaels.

Blackhall started much the brighter and scored their first points within thirty seconds of the throw in. They extended their lead soon after but Dunshaughlin gradually got a foothold on the game and three points in succession. Tadgh O'Dushlaine scored the first of these with a fine curled effort before captain Ray Maloney scored a similar effort. Trevore Dowd scored a free after Kevin Ward was fouled whilst making a foray up the field. However Dunshaughlin were shocked midway through the half when Blackhall were awarded a penalty which was subsequently converted. Although dominant in possession, the Black and Ambers were hugely wasteful in the period leading up to half time. Cathal O'Dwyer did however have cause to rue some bad luck as having already seen a goal shot crash off the crossbar he had another goal chance cleared off the line by a Blackhall defender with the keeper already beaten. An O'Dushlaine free was all Dunshaughlin could score coming up to half time while at the other end Blackhall scored three more frees to leave them 1-5 to 0-4 up after the break.

Dunshaughlin remained dominant after the break but found it difficult to put Blackhall away. Points from midfield partners Maloney and John Crimmins added to a Dowd free left the minimum between the sides. Veteran full back Kenny McTigue was becoming increasingly influential and he even found himself on the opposition endline. After selling a couple of dummies he set up Dowd who pointed magnificently under pressure from close to the sideline. The sides were now level but the Kilcloon/Batterstown men refused to lie down and another free restored their lead. But this was followed by the crucial score of the game. Conor Devereux sent a diagonal ball in from the right deceiving the Blackhall rearguard. It fell to O'Dwyer who this time made no mistake finishing low to the net. Devereux followed it up with a point. Substitute Niall Kelly scored with a long range free to clinch victory for the Dunshaughlin men who were delighted to gain some compensation from their county final defeat.

Best for Dunshaughlin were Kenny McTigue, Caoimhin King, Ray Maloney, John Crimmins and Trevor Dowd.

Dunshaughlin - Ronan Gogan, Alastar Doyle, Kenny McTigue, Denis Kealy, Anthony Johnson, Caoimhin King, Tommy Johnson, John Crimmins 0-1, Ray Maloney 0-2, Fergus Toolan, Trevor Dowd 0-3, Conor Devereux 0-1, Tadgh O'Dushlaine 0-2, Niall Murphy, Cathal O'Dwyer 1-0. Substitutes - Kevin Ward for Johnson, Niall Kelly 0-1 for O'Dushlaine, Fearghal Delaney for Ward, Eoin Hagarty for Johnson, Paddy McHale for Devereux

Blackhall Gaels: Thomas Dalton, Declan Dalton, Noel O'Hora, John M. Kelly, Donnacha Tobin, George Beirne, Denis Beirne, Tadgh Brosnan, Erik Broad, Colm McElligott, Andrew Dalton, Dan O'Neill, Alan Nestor, Jonathan Meyler, Sean Whelan (1-6).
Subs: Paddy O'Brien, John J.Kelly, Stephen Morris, Mark Crampton, Dermot Carty

Referee Colm McManus Gaeil Colmcille Tweet

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