MFC final: Goals crucial as superior Dunshaughlin prevail over holders
September 27, 2020
Dunshaughlin's Aaron Murphy and Sean Horan St. Colmcilles collide during the Meath MFC Division 1 Final at Pairc Tailteann
MFC final: Goals crucial as superior Dunshaughlin prevail over holders
Dunshaughlin proved too strong for resilient holders St Colmcille's in the MFC final at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday afternoon.
Dunshaughlin ....... 3-12
St Colmcille's ....... 2-7
Early goals from Kyle O'Connor and Ruairi O'Connor sustained Dunshaughlin against St Colmcille's rally that got them to within a point of the side in amber and black once in each half, including at the second-half water break.
Having passed up a couple of scoring chances that might have regained parity for the Piltown side, Dunshaughlin added 1-3 without reply in the time remaining to deservedly claim the Delaney Cup.
By the 57th minute just a goal separated the sides before sub Pierce Dunne netted, a score sandwiched in between two points from top scorer Ruairi Kinsella.
Kinsella scored 1-8, chalking up 1-5 in the opening half as Dunshaughlin laid firm foundations for this win.
Colm Kane and especially Conor Gray gave Dunshaughlin an impressive presence at midfield.
St Colmcille's were first to score with Luke Hanan pointing at the town end with assistance from the dynamic Danny Ehichoya in the third minute.
That advantage quickly evaporated with Dunshaughlin taking advantage of hesitancy in the St Collmcille's to allow Kinsella place Kyle O'Connor for the opening goal.
Full-forward Aaron Murphy proved a great provider for Dunshaughlin and he placed Kinsella for Dunshaughlin's second goal in the fifth minute. The board read 2-1 to 0-1.
By the first water break, seven points separated the teams, 2-3 to 0-2. Within three minutes of the restart, St Colmcille's had pulled back two goals. Conor Power got the first helped by Sean O'Donoghue.
St Colmcille's second goal was the pick of the five scored with Christian Finlay firing home from about 20 metres. That left the holders just 2-2 to 2-3 in arrears.
The Seasiders failed to register over the remainder of the half while Dunshaughlin sent over four points to lead by 2-7 to 2-2 at half-time.
Ten first-half wides were a concern for Dunshaughlin especially when St Colmcille's trimmed the deficit to the minimum by the second water break boosted by three Luke Hanan points.
Dunshaughlin's lead was down to the minimum, 2-8 to 2-7, heading into the final quarter. They proved their worth to build on their advantage to claim the title.
Scorers: Dunshaughlin - Ruairi Kinsella 1-8 (0-2 fs, 0-1 forward mark); Kyle O'Connor, Pierce Dunne 1-0 each; John McDonagh 0-2 (1f); Aaron Murphy, Conor Gray 0-1 each.
St Colmcille's - Luke Hanan 0-5 (2fs); Christian Finlay, Conor Power 1-0 each;Adam Daly (f), Ben Maguire 0-1 each.
Dunshaughlin - Jack Nestor; Charlie O'Connor, Dylan McKenzie, Alex Arkins; Fursey Blake, Donagh McCarrick, Jared Rushe; Colm Rushe, Conor Gray; John McDonagh, Ruairi Kinsella, Kyle O'Connor; Chris Pullen, Aaron Murphy, Fiach Hartigan. Subs - Pierce Dunne for Pullen (38), Conor Duke for McKenzie (44), Emmanuel Osas for O'Connor (48).
St Colmcille's - Oisin Brennan; Evan Morgan, Sean Horan, Eoin Gillick; Godfrey Echihoya, Caolan Nulty (C), Conor Power; Sean O'Donoghue; Oisin Murphy, Christian Finlay, Adam Daly; Luke Hanan, Oisin O Murchu, Danny Ehichoya. Subs - Fiachra Mac An Aba for Daly (10) Ben Maguire for Murphy (26), Daly for O Murchu (ht), O Murchu for Power (46).
Referee - Derek Ryan (Na Fianna)
