Dunshaughlin defeat champions Summerhill in enthralling four-goal thriller

Richie Kealy's side cemented themselves as strong Keegan Cup contenders

Dunshaughlin 2-12

Summerhill 2-10

A match that had been billed as a defining game in the race for the Keegan Cup certainly matched expectations when a late Matthew Costello goal earned Dunshaughlin a victory over the county champions Summerhill writes Tom Gannon.

There was no shortage of drama in the affair with four goals, one red card, one black card, and a very high standard of football all contributing to make this an incredible spectacle for those in attendance.

Dunshaughlin only registered three scores in the second half but crucially two of them were goals courtesy of Matthew Costello and Conor Gray. Gray and Costello, who were relatively quiet in their opening-round game against Donaghmore Ashbourne, rose to the challenge and were absolutely outstanding.

Luke Mitchell got the scoring underway after only 30 seconds before Charlie O’Connor registered a nice point. Conor Gray saw a goal chance go a begging but Mitchell was quickest to react and pointed the rebound to give Dunshaughlin an early three-point lead.

Summerhill responded quickly and Eoghan Frayne rattled off two points either side of a Barry Dardis free and after ten minutes the sides were level. Mitchell and Costello edged Dunshaughlin ahead once more before horrendous defending from Richie Kealy’s side handed Conor Frayne the opportunity to run along the end line before burying the ball soccer-style to the net with his left boot.

Frayne followed up his goal with a point and suddenly Summerhill held a two-point advantage. To their credit, Dunshaughlin responded quickly and secured three points in succession to get their noses back in front.

Conor Frayne who was now causing Dunshaughlin serious difficulties levelled the scoring. Frayne then got up well to secure possession from a kick pass from Dardis before being fouled by Niall Byrne and Summerhill were awarded a penalty. Dardis expertly dispatched the spot-kick to put Summerhill up by three.

Just as they did when the first goal was conceded, Dunshaughlin responded well and rattled off three points to send the sides in at half-time level with the scores sitting at 2-5 to 0-11.

Straight from the throw-up, Summerhill had an opportunity for a third goal when a long ball was sent into Eoghan Frayne, however Frayne failed to hit the target with his shot on goal. Moments later Barry Dardis brought his tally to 1-2 with a well-struck 45’.

A sensational individual burst from Conor Gray saw him break open the Summerhill defence before burying the ball to the back of the net to put Dunshaughlin ahead once more. Mitchell followed up with Dunshaughlin’s sole white flag raiser of the second half.

Dunshaughlin were reduced to 14 men when Fursey Blake received a second yellow card for an unnecessary challenge in front of the stands. This put Dunshaughlin under serious numerical pressure and two points, one for each of the Frayne’s drew the sides level.

The two sides saw goal chances come and go when Luke Mitchell and Barry Dardis both failed to take advantage of two great opportunities afforded to them. With six minutes remaining of normal time, Summerhill had their numerical advantage wiped when

Jamie O’Shea received a black card. Moments later though their support were in full voice when Eoghan Frayne put them a point ahead.

However, Dunshaughlin’s never-say-die attitude served them well and once again Matthew Costello came to the rescue when he linked up brilliantly with Conor Duke before finishing to the back of the net in a well-worked team maneuverer.

Injury time came and went and Summerhill failed to make any further inroads. The final whistle was greeted with a huge roar of celebration from the Dunshaughlin supporters as their side firmly cemented themselves as serious Keegan Cup contenders.

Dunshaughlin – Tim O’Sullivan; Niall Byrne (0-1), Daryl McKenna, Fursay Blake; Ciaran McCarrick, Jared Rushe, Adam Kealy; Charlie O’Connor (0-1), Conor Gray (1-0); David Fildes, Conor Duke (0-1, one mark), Ruairi Kinsella; Tommy Kinsella (0-1), Matthew Costello (1-2), Luke Mitchell (0-5, two frees). Subs - Neil Byrne for T Kinsella 43m, Fiach Hartigan for McKenna 54m, Ryan Robbinson for Mitchell 61m.

Summerhill – Sean Muddiman; Iarla Hughes, Ronan Ryan, John Lavelle; Adam McDonnell, Ross Ryan, Jack Bannon; Adam Flanagan, Michael Byrne; Sean Dalton, Diarmuid McCabe, Kevin Ryan (0-1); Conor Frayne (1-3), Eoghan Frayne (0-4), Barry Dardis (1-2, one free, one pen, one 45’). Subs – Podge Geraghty for Dalton 40m, Jamie O’Shea for Bannon 50m, David Larkin for Byrne 56m.

Referee – Keith Sheerin (Drumconrath).