J.M. Food Services - Football League Division 2

FT Dunshaughlin GAA 1-13  Áth Troim 0-13 

A Dunshaughlin goal half way through the second half was the turning point in this League Division 2 semi final in an entertaining encounter in Dunsany on Wednesday night (17th July). Up to that point Trim was the more impressive and better organised side  but the goal was decisive in turning the tide and giving the impetus to Dunshaughlin at a crucial point in the match.

 

Trim got off to a great start when Tadgh Carty called a mark and pointed in the first minute. Despite a lot of possession and a number of Trim attacks Dunshaughlin took the lead after seven minutes and added a further point in the tenth minute before Trim secured their second point from an in form Ciarán Caufield who turned over a kick out and scored a great point.

 

Following a 13th minute point  from Dunshaughlin Trim responded well and controlled matters for the remainder of the half with points in the 14th, 18th, 20th, 28th 29th and 31st minutes to a single point for their opponents in the 22nd minute. Four of these points came from converted frees from Tom Carmody and two from Ciaran Caulfield. 

 

This was a period of dominance from Trim when they outplayed  their more fancied opponents in every area of the field. Brian Bolger, Declan Dowling, Niall Sweeney and Conor McGinley were impressive in defence while Darragh Heffernan and Rob Burke lorded it at midfield. While Caufield and Carmody were prominent on the scoreboard the other forwards, James Murray, Kyle Ennis, Conor Quigley  and Tadgh Carty worked hard and caused the defence huge problems.

Half Time  Trim 0-08   Dunshaughin 0-05

 

The second half was a cagier affair as both sides tightened up defensively. Trim scored first with a 3rd minute point and Dunshaughlin responded a few minutes later. Niall Sweeney had a shot saved on the Dunshughlin line in the ninth minute but it was another three minutes before Trim registered a point. While they were under some pressure at times and Dunshaughlin threatened Trim seemed to be in control and giving as good as they got.

 

Disaster struck when a mistake in defence allowed Luke Mitchell too much space and he fired a shot low and hard to the Trim net  to leave a point between the sides. Trim responded well within a minute with a well taken Conor Quigley point which was neutralised less than a minute later by Costelloe. While Trim were under pressure they were responding well and keeping their opponents at bay but lacked the punch up front to maintain a lead. 

 

A few mistakes in the Trim defence in the last ten minutes let Dunshaughlin in for further points and they out scored Trim by four points in the last ten minutes to run out 1-13 to     0-13  points winners.

 

While the outcome of the match is a disappointment for Trim they can take heart in the display generally especially with a number of key players on the sideline through injury. Our young players continue to impress and step up to the mark .

 

Starting Team: Paul Munnelly, Conor McGinley, Brian Bolger, Cian Downes, Davy Murtagh, Declan Dowling, Eoin Sweeney, Daragh Heffernan, Rob Bourke, Conor Quigley James Murray Ciaran Caufield, Kyle Ennis, Tadgh Carty, Tom Carmody