Sensational performance earns ticket

Harry Houdini would have been proud of Dunderry at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday evening, so too would Lazarus and indeed Steve McQueen who starred in the epic film The Great Escape. Unlike McQueen, Dunderry made a clean getaway as they earned a IHC final ticket with a remarkable second-half recovery against Longwood who looked home and hosed when referee Gerry Keoghan ended a totally one-sided first-half. Not even the most ardent Dunderry supporters would have been looking forward to the second-half. That they remained in the ground was more a testament to their loyalty for the parish than any possible aspirations of victory. 'We were dead and buried at half-time, but I knew there was plenty of hurling in this team,' team manager Eamonn Howley told the Meath Chronicle at the end of an amazing game. Contrast that, to the confidence which exuded from the Longwood players as they departed for the break with a solid 1-8 to 0-2 interval cushion and with every reason to look forward to more of the same after the resumption. Longwood manager Mike Cole would have drummed it into his players that they were only halfway there, but not even one of Meath"s most talented hurlers could have envisaged what Dunderry would produce in that amazing second-half. Ivan McCormack pointed an early 60-metre free and Kevin Dowd sent over a late free as Howley"s men failed to even hit the target from play in a dire opening half. Longwood capitalised on Dunderry"s inhibitions and deficiencies. Aaron Ennis wreaked havoc and claimed four points from play while Anthony Healy and Noel Ennis managed one apiece. Mickey Burke also managed a brace from play and claimed a 27th minute goal which summed up Dunderry"s contribution. Burke raced clear from midfield pursued by Dowd and from about 50 metres dropped the sliotar into the square. It had enough momentum to deceive custodian Michael Horan as it dropped under the crossbar and the groans of the Dunderry supporters were audible amongst the cheers which followed. With players of the calibre of Ray and James Dorran, Mick Healy and Enda Dixon in the team, Longwood had every reason to approach the second-half with complete confidence. 'There was no roaring and shouting at half-time,' claimed Howley who sent his team out sufficiently re-charged for the task with Michael Brogan and Owen McCormack replacing Paddy McGeough and David Geraghty. Longwood made one change with Joe Furey coming in for Ross Ennis which brought Healy to midfield with Burke. Ivan McCormack pointed a free inside 40 seconds and then Owen McCormack rifled a loose ball to the net following Dowd free. Further points from Paddy Gorey and Bob Doherty reduced the deficit to three points (1-5 to 1-8) after only seven minutes. Aaron Ennis settled Longwood with a point from a free and when Burke sent over at the end of the third-quarter, it appeared as if Dunderry"s recovery had been stifled. However, that was only the signal for the real Dunderry to take centre-stage and five unanswered points in as many minutes had the sides back on level terms and had the crowd buzzing. David Callaghan pointed his side in the direction of the winners" enclosure before Ivan McCormack and Aaron Ennis traded points. Longwood upped the tempo and Healy brought a fine save out of Horan and at the other end Dowd split the posts for a two-point cushion. 'How much time is left' was the question directed towards the Press Box, but it didn"t matter one bit when substitute Kevin Bruton scrambled a late goal to complete the recovery. At that stage, there was 'no time left." Dunderry - M Horan; D Stephens, T Doherty, D Callaghan; J Kelliher, I McCormack (0-4), L Mulligan (0-1); D Callaghan (0-1), E Stephens; D Geraghty, P Gorey (0-2), B Doherty (0-1); P McGeough, K Dowd (0-2), D Clarke (0-1). Subs - M Brogan for NcGeough, O McCormack (1-1) for Geraghty, K Bruton (1-0) for Mulligan, Longwood - B Ennis; D Maguire, R Dorran, J Stenson; M Bermingham, E Dixon, K Ennis; R Ennis, M Burke (1-3); A Ennis (0-6), J Dorran, M Healy; N Ennis (0-1), A Healy (0-1,, M Lee. Sub - J Furey for R Ennis, Referee - Gerry Keoghan (Kilmessan)