Dunshaughlin leave it late to snatch a thriller

In the most dramatic conclusion to what was one of the games of the year Luke Mitchell was the hero of the hour as Dunshaughlin snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to claim their first u-20 FC title with a thrilling 3-9 to 2-11 victory over Ballinabrackey/Clonard at Dunganny on tonight.

Trailing by three points two minutes into injury-time Dunshaughlin looked doomed to add to their already miserable year, but in the face of adversity they turned to Matt Costello to provide the ammunition for Mitchell to fire them to victory.

Ballinabrackey/Clonard were superb throughout and even though they conceded two soft goals to allow Dunshaughlin stay in the game they looked comfortable when Niall Smullen's 59th minute free edged them two points in front.

Even after David Carroll was issued with a second yellow card for delaying the subsequent kickout Ballinabrackey/Clonard still stretched their lead with a superb score from Mark Coffey.

There looked to be no way back for Dunshaughlin!

However Costello had other ideas. In the third minute of injury-time he won possession and drove goalwards, instead of firing for a goal himself he looked up and picked out Mitchell who executed a fine finish.

That goal appeared certain to force extra-time, but referee Stephen Dawson allowed play to continue and two minutes later another superb pass from Costello picked out Mitchell and after claiming the mark the Dunshaughlin full-forward lofted over a difficult effort.

There was no time for a kickout as Dawson's final whistle sparked wild celebrations and pure agony for Ballinabrackey/Clonard who saw their night of glory descend into disappointment.

SCORERS

Dunshaughlin - Luke Mitchell 1-2; Harry Dunne 1-0, Cathal McCormack 1-1; Matt Costello 0-3 one frees; Aaron Murphy 0-2; Fursey Blake 0-1.

Ballinabrackey/Clonard - Barry Thompson 1-2 one free; David Carroll 1-1; Andrew Moore 0-3; Niall Smullen 0-3 two frees; Jack McLoughlin 0-1; Mark Coffey 0-1.

TEAMS

Dunshaughlin - Gary O'Connor; Odhran O'Riordan, Jared Rushe, Charlie O'Connor; Ciaran mcCarrick, Fursey Blake, Alex Arkins-Flinter; Bill Jennings, Brian Clinton; John McDonagh, Harry Dunne, Matt Costello; Cathal McCormack, Luke Mitchell, Aaron Murphy. Sub - Ruairi Kinsella for Arkins-Flinter 42 mins.

Ballinabrackey/Clonard - Dean Pluck; Kenneth Thompson, Adam O'Brien, Luke McNamee; Aidan Fitzpatrick, Mark Coffey, Sean Fitzpatrick; Sean Coffey, Leo Cullen; Conor Ennis, Niall Smullen, Justin Coyne; Andrew Moore, David Carroll, Barry Thompson. Subs - Eoin Dalton for K Thompson half-time, Jack McLoughlin for Coyne 53 mins.

Referee - Stephen Dawson (Carnaross).

Check out Tuesday's Meath Chronicle for Fergal Lynch's full match report and photographs from tonight's thrilling encounter.