Dunshaughlin survive a stern examination
Dunshaughlin2-10
Duleek/Bellwstown2-8
ANY team hoping to make progress in the SFC needs to possess character and Dunshaughlin displayed plenty of that particular commodity when they came from behind to defeat Duleek / Bellewstown on Friday evening.
Dunshaughlin started this high tempo affair at Ratoath at breakneck speed with a Conor Staunton goal, they slowed considerably, allowed their opponents to overtake them only to move up a gear or two near the end and clinch the points.
Without Caoimhin King, who picked up a hamstring injury in that now infamous Parnell Park encounter, Dunshaughlin had their share of problems going into this game.
They also looked fit and eager and manager Gordon Ward needed to have his players well primed to overcome the sturdy challenge of Duleek / Bellewstown who were making their championship debut under the recent amalgamation.
Despite Staunton's close-range, well-executed goal after just two minutes Dunshaughlin didn't have a particularly good opening half and deservedly trailed by 1-2 to 1-7 at the break.
With the aid of a considerable breeze behind them in the second-half that all changed, but it took Dunshaughlin until the last quarter before they really got moving.
The spark was produced on 42 minutes when Niall Kelly took a pass from Cathal O'Dwyer, ran at least 35 metres before blasting low to the net. It was an inspiring score.
That goal appeared to send a surge of confidence through the Dunshaughlin ranks and they pushed on from there with superbly taken points from Richie Kealy, Martin Reilly, David Crimmins and Staunton hauling them level by the 50th minute. A late point from Cillian Finn and a typically booming effort from Kelly, both from play, copperfastened an impressive comeback.
At times Dunshaughlin looked vulnerable at the back and Anthony Johnson had to be sharp to twice clear the ball off the line in the second-half, once denying Mark Collins what looked like a certain goal with a timely block.
At midfield Finn and Kelly formed a solid combination winning plenty of ball and frequently pushing forward to join the attack.
Crimmins, Reilly and Denis Kealy made up a very hard-running half-forward line and they will cause headaches for any defence this summer. As a corner forward O'Dwyer showed a blistering turn of speed that backs must find a nightmare to deal with.
With eight players getting on the scoresheet Dunshaughlin showed that they don't just rely on one or two players to produce the goods. Fitness-wise Dunshaughlin won't be found wanting either and some of their passing was out of the top drawer.
Duleek / Bellewstown were also adept in this department, often putting together a series of incisive passing movements especially in the opening half which they mostly dominated.
There were some first-rate scores manufactured with neatly taken points by Chris Carney, Peter Curran and Conal McGinley also helping them to build up their impressive interval advantage.
Curran had his radar switched on during the opening 30 minutes however, he did squander a couple of relatively easy frees after the break. While Duleek / Bellewstown made the worst possible start with the concession of Staunton's early goal they didn't panic.
They found the net on six minutes when Des Teelin played a long ball in behind the Dunshaughlin defence. Kieran Collins was alive to the possibilities and he stole in to shoot home.
The east Meath side's second goal arrived on the 39th minute. Teelin this time won possession, surged through the Dunshaughlin defence and instead of shooting himself passed to Mark Collins who had markers around him. Collins still got his shot in, Ronan Gogan saved, the ball broke and Collins slotted home the rebound.
At that stage Duleek / Bellewstown looked good to go on and claim the points. Instead they lost their way and didn't score for the remainder.
Duleek / Bellewstown will look to their encouraging, fast-paced play in the opening half and feel confident that they can pick up a victory or two. The displays of players such as Tony Cunningham and Donard Ferguson will give cause for optimism.
They didn't look relegation material in this contest. They just found Dunshaughlin's second-half display too hot to handle.
SCORERS
Dunshaughlin - C Staunton 1-1; N Kelly 1-1; M Reilly 0-2, one free, C O'Dwyer 0-2; R Kealy 0-1; C Finn 0-1; D Crimmins 0-1; R Maloney 0-1. Duleek/Bellewstown - P Curran 0-4, one free; M Collins 1-1; K Collins 1-0; C McGinley 0-2, C Carney 0-1.
THE TEAMS
Dunshaughlin - R Gogan; F Gogan, K McTigue, A Johnson; M Ahern, R Kealy, R Yore; C Finn, N Kelly; D Crimmins, M Reilly, D Kealy; C Staunton, R Maloney, C O'Dwyer. Sub - D Devereux for Yore eight mins.
Duleek / Bellewstown - R Nolan; D Crosby, K Smith, M Dowling; D Teelin, P Martin, G Hynes; K McDonnell, T Cunningham; C Carney, P Curran, D Ferguson, M Collins , C McGinley, K Collins. Subs - C Dunne for McDonnell four mins, J Devereux for Hynes 42 mins, D Mills for K Collins 48 mins, B Cudden for Dowling 50 mins.
REFEREE
Jack Gordon (Walterstown).