IFC semi-final: Dunderry down Bracks
October 03, 2016
Dunderry's Simon Carty
Taking advantage of the wind in the opening half, Dunderry did enough to fend off Ballinabrackey's second-half rally in the first Meade Potato IFC semi-final at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday afternoon
Dunderry ............... 1-12
Ballinabrackey ....... 0-10
After a close opening quarter during which the scores were tied once and Ballinabrackey briefly led, Dunderry upped a couple of gears to book their final place.
Dunderry were never subsequently reeled in and deservedly clinched the first final spot on offer.
Kevin Dowd's men outscored Ballinabrackey by 1-8 to 0-4 in the first-half with the goal coming from Stephen Coogan's 22nd minute penalty that made it 1-6 to 0-3.
Secure foundations were cemented in the second quarter during which time Kevin Dowd's men outscored Ballinabrackey by 1-3 to 0-1.
From a poor restart Dunderry almost got in for a second goal but Ballinabrackey 'keeper John Curry saved well from Mark Kane at the expense of a 45 that yielded a Stephen Coogan point.
Midfielder Patrick Kennelly's third point of the half extended Dunderry's lead to eight. An excellent Andrew Munnelly effort trimmed the deficit slightly.
Within 40 seconds of resumption, the gap was down to five points when Carroll landed a free.
Gradually Ballinabrackey chipped away at the deficit. The closest they got to Dunderry was four points. It happened twice. First.in the 50th minute when Damien Carroll posted his sole score from play.
A similar deficit was achieved in the 57th minute when Seamus Curry pointed after exchanging passes with Danny Quinn. That was as good as it got for the Offaly-border side.
A Stephen Coogan (free) and a Liam Dempsey effort sealed the deal for Dunderry. Trevor Bannon's stoppage time effort was deflected over by a combination of Dunderry 'keeper David Jennings and Alan Watters.
Dunderry - David Jennings; Aaron Newman, David McCormack (c), Conor Dempsey; Darren Callaghan, Damien Clarke, Martin Garry; Patrick Kennelly (0-4), Liam Dempsey (0-1); Mark Kane, Luke Martyn (0-1), Stephen Coogan (1-3, 1-0 pen, 0-2 fs, 1 45); Alan Watters, Conor Farrell (0-2), Simon Carty (0-1). Subs - Jack Brady for Dempsey (53), Shane Maguire for Kane (56)
Ballinabrackey - John Curry; Stephen Donohue, Nicky Judge, Kevin Darby; Mick Kearney, Trevor Bannon (0-1), Vinny Mooney; Chris O'Connor, Seamus Curry (0-2); Danny Quinn (0-1), Damien Carroll (0-4, 3fs), David Thompson; Derek Flynn, Andrew Munnelly (0-2), Ray Kearney. Subs - Pat Loftus for Kearney (36), Brendan Glennon for Thompson (42), David Finn for Mooney (48),
Referee - Liam O'Brien (Duleek-Bellewstown)
