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2025 - Fairyhouse Steel – Senior Football Championship – Group C Round 3

Trim 0-15 Dunshaughlin 0-14

DIARY DATE Quarter Final - Áth Troim v Summerhill - Saturday 13th September @ 5pm - Páirc Tailteann

Tension was the name of the game when Dunshaughlin and Trim met on Sunday afternoon in Dunsany to see who would advance to the knockout stages of a Championship that has already produced such excitement and intrigue. Much would also rest on the outcome of the Meath Hill versus Rathkenny game that could ultimately decide the faith of both teams in Dunsany.

Despite a blistering start by Dunshaughlin who were missing a number of key defenders, it was Trim who went in at half time 2 points up and looking comfortable. But the game was ultimately decided in added time in the 2nd half when Dunshaughlin clawed their way back level on the 64th minute of play, only to be denied at the death by a sweetly struck point by Trim and Mayo’s Tom Carmody. This is the second game in a row where the final kick of the game secured the maximum points for the Reds. Three wins out of three and the Trim trajectory could not be better.

Dunshaughlin’s faltering passage however will continue thanks to Meath Hill’s efforts versus Rathkenny…….but they may yet get things going.

With a strong wind blowing straight across a very slippy pitch, proceedings got underway at pace with Dunshaughlin winning the throw in and launching the first attack. Within a minute they drew a free from just outside the 40-metre arc that, despite the wind, was struck confidently over the bar for a very well taken 2 pointer and an excellent start. Trim from the kick out started a patient build up moving the ball laterally across the field with James Toher and Ciaran Caulfield dictating the pace until the ball was delivered into the half forward line, but, Dunshaughlin pounced, dispossessed and broke down the field to slot over a well taken point with 5 minutes on the clock. 

Again, the Red jerseys moved forward with Conor Quigley getting the ball into Aaron Lynch for the first time in the game, but despite his best jinks and turns the ball was again won by Dunshaughlin who launched down the right-hand side to strike a very nice point. 7 minutes gone and the men in black and amber had opened up a very effortless 4-point lead. From the kick out it was clear that Trim had not quite got going in midfield where the Dunshaughlin midfielders were winning ball and driving forward. One such attack, moments later, saw the ball carried down the right wing and fired across the mouth of the Trim goal only for goalkeeper Eoin O Reilly to deliver a wonderful punching save. Although early in the match, the Trim defenders Ben Holden, Gerry Dwayne and Conor McGinley were working hard with the assistance of Tadhg Carty to repel the opposition and weather the early storm. 

And weather it they did when Ciaran Caulfield carried the ball straight into the heart of the Dunshaughlin defence and slotted over his and Trim’s first point of the game with 16 minutes gone. Immediately from the kick out Trim struck again, this time in the form of Aaron Lynch who secured his first point of the game. 2 points within a minute and now Trim suddenly appeared more settled. Often, it’s the high scoring forwards that grab the limelight in matches but Gerry Dwayne in defence for Trim proved that sharp defending is every bit as important when minutes later he intercepted the ball to foil a strong Dunshaughlin attack and launch the ball forward to Caulfield who carried and passed to Carty who found Lynch who never hesitated and drove the ball high between the uprights. Trim had found their rhythm and now it was time for Dunshaughlin to defend. Harry Purcell for Trim was well in the game and linking up constantly with Caulfield and brothers Daire and Aaron Lynch to threaten the black and amber defence. On the 19th minute it was this combination that delivered the perfect pass to allow David Lernihan level the game with a well taken point. Trim’s James Murray and Carty in midfield were beginning to come to terms with their opposite numbers and started gaining more possession. From the kick out they broke the ball down to Lernihan who was now hunting out around the 45-metre mark. Despite the strong, swirling wind he swivelled and drove the ball high over the bar to put Trim 2 points ahead. 

Despite some good defending from Dunshaughlin the wave of attacks from Trim were unrelenting and resulted in another free that Lynch converted from 25 meters out. Trim were now well in control and minutes later could have increased the margin significantly except James Toher’s point blank, pile driver of a shot brought a wonderful save from the Dunshaughlin goalkeeper – the resultant 45 was dropped short much to the relief of Dunshaughlin. Further relief for Dunshaughlin came moments later when a well struck point just creeped inside the upright for their first score in 18 minutes. In the final minutes of the first half both sides missed opportunities with Trim’s Tadhg Carty administering a surgical intercept that delivered the ball to Lynch who narrowly missed the conversion.   Going to the dressing room Trim looked reasonably comfortable but with everything still to play for.

Half time: Trim 0-07 Dunshaughlin 0-05

Immediately on the restart, Holden who has been truly magnificent for Trim during this championship, again intercepted a Dunshaughlin attack and darted forward to find Lynch who ratcheted up another point with only 50 seconds gone. Moments later it was Trim’s Conor McGinley who was called upon to deliver a lovely tap block only for the resultant free to allow Dunshaughlin convert their first point with 3 minutes gone and a mere 2 points between the teams. Despite a yellow card for a minor infraction, Trim’s Caulfield was a very steadying influence for the Reds as they patiently built their attacks which, in the 6th minute saw Purcell break forward supported by Aaron Lynch who off loaded to Conor Quigley who slotted over the bar for his first of the match. Eoin Sweeney who has been very solid throughout the year for Trim then launched a really dangerous attack that saw him brought to the ground but surprisingly no free given and a dangerous counterattack by Dunshaughlin that was only broken up by really sharp defending again by Trim’s McGinley.

Noticeably, Dunshaughlin were building the intensity of their attacks and Trim veteran Dwayne was now being repeatedly called in to shore up the defence where in the 13th minute he performed an excellent display of blocking that saw the ball hammered up the field to Purcell who delivered a well measured pass to Eoin O Connor right in front of the goal – the resultant shot narrowly flew over the cross bar – inches lower and it could have decided the outcome of the game Trim sideline responded by bringing on sharp shooter Sean Foley for a spun out Purcell who had given his all. But Dunshaughlin were now moving up a gear and were soon bearing down on the Trim goal where a ferocious shot brought out the save of the match from outstretched goalkeeper O Reilly.  Dunshaughlin were not to be thwarted and on the 19th minute of the half fired over for a point followed moments later by an absolutely superb shot that raised the orange flag for a wonderful 2 pointer to bring them within 1 point of the Reds.

A technical infringement gave Trim another Lynch-converted free kick only to be immediately cancelled out by a real battling point by Dunshaughlin. Moving into the final minutes of normal time both teams had chances of scores with Dunshaughlin missing a 2-pointer and Trim’s Eoin Sweeny being denied a goal but to see Lynch convert the resultant 45.   Dunshaughlin were far from finished and were now playing with a heightened determination when they struck another point in the 29th minute only to see that cancelled out when Toher broke from defence and passed to Lynch who converted with ease. A minute later Sean Foley – the ever-reliable score getter – got his first point of the game to put Trim 3 points up……..their supporters on the sideline sensed victory……but the referee had announced 6 extra minutes so the celebrations would have to wait yet. And Dunshaughlin also weren’t finished when, on the 33rd minute they struck a mighty free from well outside the 40-metre arc for their second 2-pointer of the second half to bring the margin down to a single point. A minute later they struck again to secure another point from play to level the game. 

Dunshaughlin surged forward only to kick wide when they had a chance to go in front for the first time since the 7th minute of the game. 1 minute left and the tension was at boiling point. Some on the sideline felt Trim would now be happy enough to settle for the draw. But out on the pitch the players clearly weren’t thinking about draws when, spurred on by Dwayne and Toher the ball moved up the pitch with Caulfield finding Carmody out on the left-hand side – fearlessly the tall red head took one glance at the posts and calmly kicked the ball over the black spot. The white flag raised – the final whistle blown – yet another last-kick-of-the-game success for Trim.

Thanks to Meath Hill’s success over Rathkenny, Dunshaughlin will have another day to see if they can kick start their form from last year. For Trim this was a battling performance in a game that they could have lost or drawn at the end but, instead, with grit and determination, dug deep for a well-deserved win……and a man of the match performance from that great Trim servant Gerry Dwayne.

In the week when Jim Gavin threw his hat in the ring for the big job in the Park, if Ken Robinson’s run of success continues surely there might be some career options there for him too……he wouldn’t be the first Robinson in the Áras and he’d surely get the Trim vote!! You read it here first.

Well done to all.

Trim: E O Reilly; C McGinley; B Holden; G Dwayne; C Quigley (0-01); J Toher; C Caulfield (0-02); J Murray; T Carty; E Sweeney; D Lynch; H Purcell; E O Connor (0-01); D Lernihan (0-03); A Lynch (0-06)

Subs: S Foley (0-01) for H Purcell; T Carmody (0-01) for E O Connor; J McGowan for B Holden; D Murtagh for D Lynch