Dunshaughlin 1-15 Trim 2-11 Conor Staunton's 38th minute goal blasted Dunshaughlin back into this Senior Football Championship tie and the Black and Ambers never looked back, going on to win by the minimum in a tense Group C match up. With ten minutes gone it didn't look good for Dunshaughlin. Trailing 1-03 to no score, it really could have been worse had Trim been a little more accurate in front of goals, missing two gilt edged goal chances and as many missed efforts for points. Cathal O'Dwyer finally got Dunshaughlin on the score sheet after eleven minutes with a point. A minute later captain Denis Kealy added another point after taking a pass from Michael Johnson and driving purposefully at the Trim goals. O'Dwyer linked up with Richie Kealy and Martin Reilly to fist over a point, and when Raymond Maloney started and finished a move with a point, it looked a little better for the Black and Ambers. Midway through the half they trailed 1-03 to 0-5, and finally drew level in the 16th minute when Niall Kelly shot over a free after Conor Staunton had been fouled. Staunton and O'Dwyer were causing problems for the Trim rearguard and changes in defensive personnel were doing little to stop the diminutive duo. Trim went ahead again but their lead didn't last 2 minutes when Martin Reilly caught a ball and drove at the Trim defence, jinxing one way and another before pointing to the delight of the large Dunshaughlin following. Trim were back in the lead with a converted free, but Raymond Maloney who was having a fine game at centre field profited from good work by Denis Kealy and Niall Kelly before firing over. It was the start of a purple patch for Dunshaughlin as they dominated the last ten minutes of the first half. Their next attack looked to have fizzled out, but patiently Dunshaughlin recycled the ball out of the corner at the hospital end under the stand and across the field to the waiting John Crimmins who made no mistake in putting the ball over the bar. Michael Johnson then set up Cathal O'Dwyer for O'Dwyer's third of the evening before O'Dwyer was first to a loose punch from Brendan Murphy, shooting over the bar to punish the Trim custodian's sloppy mistake. It was the last action of a feisty first period, Dunshaughlin going to the break leading 0-10 to 1-05. Trim got a cracking start to the second period, getting a point and then a goal within two minutes of the restart. Conor Staunton then showed his hunger for victory by stopping the Trim defense working the ball out, his pressure leading to a mistake and when Staunton took a return pass from Cathal O'Dwyer, Staunton punished the Trim defense by firing over. The sides traded points from frees, Niall Kelly converting Dunshaughlin's free with a mighty kick, but Trim scored from play to lead by three midway through the half. Entering the final quarter, Dunshaughlin's season was on the line as they knew defeat in this game would make progression to the knock-out stages very difficult. It was now or never and Staunton's goal gave Dunshaughlin the lifeline the so dearly needed. Staunton's goal seemed to lift his team mates and within a minute Cathal O'Dwyer left his marker behind him to score his fifth point of the evening. Substitute Michael McHale then announced his arrival with a fisted point after a good solo run. Up by two, the game was still in the balance and Trim advanced in search of a goal to get back into the lead. The goal nearly came but a brilliant save from Ronan Gogan denied Trim again. The reds did get a point a minute later, but on their next venture forward the wily Kenny McTigue nipped in to intercept and burst out of defense with great gusto and to the chorus of a great cheer from the Dunshaughlin supporters. He started a move up the field which Conor Staunton capped off with a point. Trim managed to get one more point back but time ran out, Dunshaughlin holding out for a hard fought win by the slightest of margins Best for Dunshaughlin were Ronan Gogan, Denis Kealy, Raymond Maloney, Conor Staunton and Cathal O'Dwyer. Dunshaughlin: Ronan Gogan, Ciaran Farrelly, Kenny McTigue, Tommy Johnson, Denis Kealy (0-1), Caoimhin King, Richie Kealy, Raymond Maloney (0-2), John Crimmins (0-1), Martin Reilly (0-1), Trevor Dowd, Michael Johnson, Cathal O'Dwyer (0-5), Niall Kelly (0-2, 2 frees), Conor Staunton (1-2). Subs: Anthony Johnson for Ciaran Farrelly, Michael McHale (0-1) for Michael Johnson, Cillian Finn for Niall Kelly. Tweet

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