AFL1: Dunshaughlin keep up their title drive
June 23, 2010
Dunshaughlin's Ray Maloney
Duleek/Bellewstown 0-12
Dunshaughlin kept their A League Division 1 aspirations alive with this hard fought two point win over Duleek/Bellewstown side played in Dunshaughlin.
The visitors opened the scoring but this was the only time they led in the whole match. Niall Murphy equalised a minute later. Richie Kealy, starting his first game of the year fisted over in the seventh minute following a good move involving Conor Staunton and Conor Devereux. Duleek/Bellewstown immedialtely replied with a score of their own. Scores were traded equally between the teams for the remainder of the half with the Black and Ambers hitting the front on four separate occasions only for Duleek/Bellewstown to equalise each time. Murphy and Kealy pointed again with Tommy Johnson and Niall Kelly also raising white flags. The scores were level at 0-6 apiece at half time.
Duleek/Bellewstown failed to score in the third quarter as points from Ray Maloney, Johnson again and Conor Devereux put the hosts three in front. Duleek/Bellewstown reduced the defecit as the game passed its three quarter stage only for Devereux to point again to restore the three point lead. Two further points from the visitors were cancelled out by points from Kealy and Devereux. However three successive points from Duleek/Bellewstown levelled matters as the game injury time. It looked as though if any side had to momentum to go ahead and win the game at this stage it was the Duleek side but Dunshaughlin produced a move that went the length of the field ending with Conor Staunton driving the ball over the bar. There was still time for Ray Maloney to fist over and leave two points between the sides as Brendan Darby blew his whistle for the final time
Dunshaughlin - Ronan Gogan, Mick Ahern, Ken McTigue, Kevin Warfd, Eoin Hagarty, David Crimmins, Tommy Johnson (0-2), John Crimmins, Ray Maloney (0-2), Niall Kelly (0-1), Conor Devereux (0-3), Conor Staunton (0-1), Richie Kealy (0-3), Paddy McHale, Niall Murphy (0-2). Substitutes - Tadgh O'Dushlaine for McTigue, Michael McHale for Kelly, Catahl O'Dwyer for Murphy, Cillian Finn for Paddy McHale
Dunshaughlin 1-12
Donaghmore/Ashbourne 7-15
Despite been outclassed Dunshaughlin produced a spirited final quarter to put a somewhat respectable look on the scoreline in this B League Division 3 encounter in Ashbourne.
Two points from Ciaran Farrelly and one from Mark Caldwell was all Dunshaughlin could manage in the first half as Donaghmore/Ashbourne ran riot especially during the second quarter to leave the score 4-9 to 0-3 at half time. The pattern continued after the restart with four successive points from the home side. But the introduction of evergreens Shane Kelly and Padraig O'Dwyer inspired a fightback of sorts from Dunshaughlin. Kelly pointed immediately on his introduction and this was followed by a goal from Ciaran Hoary. Although the Ashbourne side did score a few more goals Dunshaughlin had the best of the final 15 minutes O'Dwyer scoring four points, Kelly scoring three more and Owen Herliihy also popping up with a score. Best for Dunshaughlin were Shane Kelly, Padraig O'Dwyer and Owen Farrelly
Dunshaughlin - John McKenna, Ulick McDonnell, Hugo Lynch, Cathal Moore, Owen Farrelly, Declan O'Dwyer, Ciaran Hoary (1-0), Paul Sheehy, Owen Herlihy (0-1), Mark Caldwell (0-1), Ciaran Farrelly (0-2), James Rattigan, John Coleman, JJ McDonnell, Des Keane. Substitutes - Shane Kelly (0-4) for McDonnell, Padraig O'Dwyer (0-4) for Keane, Tadgh Woods for Hoary Tweet
