A man down for most game, St Colmcille's spirited earned them a draw with Dunderry in this exciting Meade Potato IFC final at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.

St Colmcille's ....... 0-12
Dunderry .............. 0-12

Yet Dunderry needed Luke Martyn's 58th minute point to force a draw and a replay next Saturday at this venue. The teams were level nine times over the hour.

As well as numerical advantage, Dunderry had the wind at their backs for the second 30 minutes. Such was the nature of the wind, it was difficult to play with.

St Colmcille's had Graham Reilly dismissed in the third minute and did very well to stay in the game.

Backed by the elements, Colm Nally's men led for most of the first half but posted six wides in the opening half.

A 0-6 to 0-4 interval advantage didn't seem sufficient to face into the wind and low sun in the second-half.

Kevin Dowd's men registered three points within seven minutes of the restart from Patrick Kenneally, Luke Martyn and Stephen Coogan (50-metre free) to retake the lead.

Dunderry looked set to regain the SFC status they lost in 2005. David O'Byrne had the 'Cilles back on terms, 0-7-all,  in the 41st minute.

James Conlon, who scored four points from play, had Colm Nally's back in front before Conor Farrell tied things up midway through the half.

With numerical and elemental advantage (the wind and sun) Dunderry looked a good bet for the Mattie McDonnell Cup.

St Colmcille's dug in and regained the lead through Ciaran Kelly in the 58th minute before Martyn's levelling score.

St Colmcille's lost Reilly to a straight red card in the third minute, shortly after they had fallen behind to a Conor Farrell point.

David O'Byrne soon restored parity. A Ben Brennan free put St Colmcille's ahead. The sides were level for the second (and final time in the opening half) in the ninth minute when Coogan (free) registered.

With the wind and sun supporting them, St Colmcille's posted three scores on the bounce - Brennan (free), Ciaran Kelly (free) and James Conlon. to lead by 0-5 to 0-2 after 17 minutes.

The Seasiders managed just one more score before the break. Brennan was denied a 16th minute goal with a fine block from Aaron Newman.

Dunderry got plenty of men behind the ball to sustain them against the elements. Two Coogan points (one free) kept them in touching distance of St Colmcille's.

Dunderry might have netted in the 28th minute but Luke Martyn's flick was turned out for a 45.

St Colmcille's took a slender lead, 0-6 to 0-4, into the break. They had six wides in the first-half while Dunderry had two.

St Colmcille's - Jordan Brown; Adam Lynch, Jamie McDonnell, Ciaran Ward; Eoin Woods, Ian Mullen, Joe Sweeney; Graham Reilly, Robbie McCloskey; Ciaran Kelly (0-4 1f), Ben Brennan (0-2 fs), David O'Byrne (0-2); Jack Reynolds, Niall Ronan, James Conlon (0-4). Subs - David Sheehan for Reynolds (37), Ruairi O'Grady for O'Byrne (46), John McKenna for Woods (50), Conor O'Byrne for Kelly (56).

Dunderry - David Jennings; Aaron Newman, David McCormack (C), Conor Dempsey; Darren Callaghan, Damien Clarke, Colm Harte; Patrick Kennelly (0-2), Liam Dempsey; Mark Kane (0-1), Luke Martyn (0-2), Stephen Coogan (0-4 3fs); Alan Waters, Conor Farrell (0-2), Simon Carty (C). Subs - Jordan Martin for Clarke (26), Declan Mahon (0-1) for Harte (46), Jack Brady for Martin (51), Kevin Slattery for Callaghan (60).

Referee - David Coldrick (Blackhall Gaels)

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