Dunshaughlin 3-12 Dunboyne 0-17

After a journey of 13 league games, this final division 1 league match report of 2025 arrives with a sense of history, rivalry, and heart. Facing off against our neighbouring parish of Dunboyne, it was a black and amber clash for the ages though in this final, Dunboyne donned their traditional green alternate strip, while Dunshaughlin wore the lucky red 1886 jerseys, a familiar sight in Pairc Tailteann from that special October 12th.

The tone was set from the throw-in. Charlie O’Connor, wearing number 9, rose to claim possession for Dunshaughlin,but early concern followed as Ben Duggan went down clutching his shoulder. Forced off just minutes into the game, Duggan made way for Mathew Costello, an earlier than planned introduction. In a quiet but poignant moment of solidarity, Costello offered a hand to Duggan,a gesture that spoke volumes about the respect and unity in this team.

Then came the first real attacking moment. Fursey Blake, ever dynamic, broke down the right flank toward the famous hospital end of Páirc Tailteann. A slick pass to David Fildes, who showed a touch of flair with a flick back to Blake, allowed the Culmullen native, lining out at full back, to strike the opening point of the final.

Dunboyne answered swiftly. Awarded a free, their number 15 Donal Lenihan took it cleverly outside the arc, striking into the wind. The result? A superb two-point score, pushing Dunboyne one ahead.

Moments later, Dunshaughlin were awarded a free of their own. Mathew Costello, calm and composed, slotted over his first of the day off the ground to bring things level. The game began to open up

Niall Byrne, whose relentless work rate was a highlight throughout, finished off a lovely passage of play ,With John McDonagh finding Blake, who linked with Byrne, Dunshaughlin edged ahead once again.

Another free saw Dunboyne draw level before Tadhg O'Dushlaine stepped up with a classy point to restore Dunshaughlin's lead.

But the energy in the stands dipped for a moment as Jared Rushe, Dunshaughlin’s talismanic captain, went down injured. An applause swept Páirc Tailteann as Rushe was helped off, replaced by Danny Quinn. A massive loss, but the spirit remained intact. We wish Jared a speedy and full recovery.

At that stage, the scoreboard read: Dunboyne 0-3 Dunshaughlin 0-4

Dunshaughlin were soon awarded a 45. Conor Duke, with confident precision, stepped up and struck sweetly, pushing the lead out to two. But Dunboyne responded yet again another free, converted by the ever-reliable Donal Lenihan, his third of the afternoon.

Then came a purple patch for Dunboyne. They rattled off five unanswered points, swinging momentum in their favour. Dunshaughlin had chances, but some missed opportunities let the senior champions off the hook. The standout moment of this phase came from goalkeeper Timmy O’Sullivan, who pulled off a stunning save to deny a goal-bound Dunboyne effort true Kerry class between the posts.

Half-time score: Dunshaughlin 0-5 Dunboyne 0-9

Second Half .... The Fightback, the Fire, and the Finish

As the second half got underway, once again it was Charlie O’Connor who contested the throw-in and once again, Dunshaughlin made the most of an early moment. A jersey pull by a Dunboyne man gave referee Cormac Reilly no choice but to award a free. Just inside the 45-yard line and kicking into the wind, Conor Duke stood over the ball. What followed was a moment of pure class the number 15 struck it clean off the ground for a stunning two-pointer, narrowing the gap to just two.

But Dunboyne weren’t long in crafting their reply. Echoing Duke’s brilliance, Donal Lenihan stepped up and matched it with another elegant long-range strike, restoring their four-point lead.

Tadhg O’Dushlaine added his second point of the day to keep Dunshaughlin ticking, but the St Peter’s men responded immediately with another score of their own.

Then came a golden chance Charlie O’Connor drove forward toward the O’Mahonys end, slipping a clever pass to Seán O’Neill, who palmed it goalward. But the Dunboyne keeper reacted brilliantly to deny what would’ve been a vital goal.

Instead, it was Dunboyne who nudged further ahead with another Leneghan free, putting five points between the black and amber rivals.

But if there’s one thing Dunshaughlin have shown all league long, it’s their refusal to go quietly. They flicked the switch. They turned the screw. Or maybe....just maybe they summoned that bit of 1886 magic that’s followed them all year.

It started with a point from Tadhg O’Dushlaine, rolling back the years with veteran composure. Then, the game exploded into life with a moment of McCarrick madness. Ciarán McCarrick, a force in the second half, surged into the Dunboyne goal area. A shout from Adam Hanley and a perfectly timed pass followed Hanley, no stranger to raising green flags, found the back of the net. His fourth goal of the Division 1 league campaign.

Dunboyne replied with two scores from play to steady themselves. But Dunshaughlin were now in full flow.

Mathew Costello found Hanley again, who this time popped it over the bar. Moments later, Costello linked with Niall Byrne, who found Seán O’Neill and just like that, goal number two was rattled home. Dunshaughlin were ahead and weren’t done yet.

Then came the final piece of magic. McCarrick to O’Dushlaine, and then to a man known simply as Kealy. And with a name like Kealy, there was only ever one outcome ,he buried it into the net, igniting the Dunshaughlin faithful in Páirc Tailteann stands .

Dunboyne threw everything they had, emptying their bench and launching one last assault. But with his vision blocked from defenders diving, Timmy O’Sullivan. The ever-reliable Kerry man made a phenomenal save with his foot, shutting the door once more.

And Dunshaughlin? They tightened the screw further

Niall Byrne fed McCarrick, who capped his second-half dominance with a fine point. Byrne then made way for Ciarán Sheridan, who combined with Duke...a one-two before Dukie .... calmly slotted another point.

With the game nearing its end, John McDonagh, whose six points in the semi-final vs Ratoath were crucial to the plan, was withdrawn to a great ovation, making way for the promising Matthew Gallagher.

Dunboyne found two final scores to bring their tally to 0-17, but the day belonged to Dunshaughlin.

As the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read: Dunshaughlin 3-12 (21) Dunboyne 0-17 (17)

After ten long years, the men in the iconic red 1886 jerseys are PR Coyne and Sons Division 1 League Champions once more.

Dunshaughlin scorers: Conor Duke 0-4 (1x2pt), Adam Hanley 1-1, Adam Kealy 1-0, Sean O'Neill 1-0, Tadgh O’Dushlaine 0-3, Mathew Costello 0-1, Niall Byrne 0-1, Ciaran McCarrick 0-1, Fursey Blake 0-1

Dunshaughlin: 1 Timmy O’Sullivan, 2 Ciaran McCarrick, 3 Fursey Blake, 4 Jared Rushe, 5 Niall Byrne, 6 Daryll McKenna, 7 David Fildes, 8 Adam Kealy, 9 Charlie O’Connor, 10 Ben Duggan, 11 Tadgh O’Dushlaine, 12 Sean O’Neill, 13 John McDonagh, 14 Adam Hanley, 15 Conor Duke, 16 Adam McDermott, 17 Danny Quinn, 18 Mathew Costello, 19 Alaster Doyle, 20 ciaran Sheridan, 21 Mathew Gallagher, 22 Sean Clancy, 23 Tommy Kinsella, 24 Evan O’Connor, 25 Cian Gallogly, 26 Ryan Robinson, 27 Lennan McCormack

 

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