Dunshaughlin 0-20 St. Colmcilles 0-16

Saturday evening’s trip to the seaside proved worthwhile for a determined Dunshaughlin side who returned home with all three points after a hard-fought win against St. Colmcilles.

The hosts wasted no time setting the tone. Seasiders’ number 15, Luke Hanlon, opened the scoring with a tidy point. Dunshaughlin, still finding their feet, showed early signs of frustration, conceding a free through dissent. The Cilles’ number 13, Davy Bell, capitalised by stepping outside the arc to land a composed two-pointer, pushing the home side 0-3 to no score.

John McDonagh, lining out at wing-back for Dunshaughlin, got his side off the mark with a well-taken point. But Hanlon was quick to reply with his second of the evening. Tadgh Ó Dushlaine then added another for the visitors to keep the scoreboard ticking. Cilles extended their lead again when Bell slotted over another free with ease.

However Sean O’Neill reduced the gap with a point of his own, "It was at this stage that the small crowd began to notice a trend , the thunderous kickouts of Colmcilles' goalkeeper, Andrew Beeky, serious asset for the home side and a launchpad for many of their attacks.

Luke Mitchell got in on the act for Dunshaughlin, converting his first free to bring it back to a one-point game. Cilles’ number 14 struck back immediately, before a mishit 45’ from Mitchell fell to Tadgh Ó Dushlaine, who recycled quickly back to Mitchell for his second, making it a one-point game once again.

The Seasiders responded with two quick fire scores, bringing the tally to 0-8 to 0-5 in their favour. But a misstep under the new rules forced Colmcilles to play the ball back to their goalkeeper, resulting in a 13m free for Dunshaughlin in which Mitchell converted to narrow the gap once more.

Hanlon kept the scoreboard ticking for Colmcilles, restoring their three-point lead, but again Mitchell responded with a clean strike. Bell then added what would be Colmcilles’ final score of the half, before a foul on Tadgh Ó Dushlaine handed Dunshaughlin a last chance. Luke Mitchell stepped up and slotted over his final score of the half, leaving the contest finely poised at the break.

Half-Time Score: St. Colmcilles 0-10 Dunshaughlin 0-8

The second half was a showcase of the new rules in full swing, with a flurry of two-pointers and orange flags lighting up the scoreboard. It was the Seasiders who struck first after the restart, landing a well-taken two-pointer to extend their lead.

Tadhg Ó Dushlaine responded with Dunshaughlin’s first score of the half, but Colmcilles quickly followed up with another two-pointer and a single, putting themselves six points clear within the opening ten minutes of the second period.

It was at this stage the Gourmet Food Parlour sponsored Dunshaughlin had to dig deep and dig deep they did. A purple patch followed, featuring three consecutive two-pointers from Luke Mitchell, Sean O’Neill, and Aaron Murphy, pulling the black and amber level with their hosts. Who doesn’t love the new rules when three kicks of a ball can completely flip the game?

Colmcilles did edge themselves back in front with a simple point, but it was then that the much-anticipated senior debut of young gun Evan O’Connor arrived, replacing Tadhg Ó Dushlaine. Well done Evan !!

Aaron Murphy wasn't done yet ,his second two-pointer equalled the first, a real beauty, and it gave Dunshaughlin the lead for the first time in the game .The sideline then introduced Niall Murphy, returning from injury, for Sean O’Neill, and Tommy Kinsella minus his appendix came on for Adam Hanley.

Dunshaughlin continued to push on, with three unanswered points from Aaron Murphy, John McDonagh, and captain Jared Rushe, sealing the victory and capping off a better second-half

though it felt like the result was always in hand once things settled into a rhythm.

Dunshaughlin scorers: John McDonagh 0-2, Tadgh O Dushlaine 0-2, Sean O’Neill 0-3 ( 1x2pt), Luke Mitchell 0-7 (4f), Aaron Murphy 0-5 (2x2pt), Jared Rushe 0-1

 

Tweet

Most Read Stories