SFC relegation decider: Dominant Dunshaughlin retain senior status
October 03, 2020
Nobber's Sean Meade with Tadhg O Dushlaine during the Meath SFC relegation final at Pairc Tailteann
Despite conceding three first-half goals, Dunshaughlin recovered to run out decisive winners over Nobber at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday afternoon.
Dunshaughlin .......2-19
Nobber ................ 3-5
Luke Mitchell was the mainstay of Dunshaughlin's scoring and finished with 1-9 to his credit. His team mates managed one point more between them.
In blustery conditions, Dunshaughlin outscored Nobber by 1-10 0-2 when playing into the town goal in the second-half.
Playing in red Dunshshaughlin put a big deposit towards their 24th season in top flight championship football in the third quarter when putting 1-5 onto their tally for the loss of one.
Seven points ahead going into the final quarter, Dunshaughlin's position looked secure. The final quarter yielded just six points and was a fractious affair.
Four players were sent off, two from each side. Adam Kealy and Tadhg O Dushlaine were the Dunshaughlin players to depart early. Thomas Murtagh and Niall Farrell were the Nobber men dismissed.
Jordan Morris topscored for Nobber with 2-3 while Sean Meade flicked home their opening goal in the fourth minute.
Playing into a blustery crosswind, Dunshaughlin were first to show with points from Ronan Geraghty and Luke Mitchell (free). Neil Farrell pulled one back for Nobber before last year's IFC winners enjoyed their best spell.
Dunshaughlin responded well to Nobber's opening goal and with Mitchell's goal were 1-4 to 1-1 ahead by the 12th minute.
Morris pulled a point back for Nobber before the water break. From the resumption the team in mainly yellow made a mark with a brace of Morris goals to lead by 3-2 to 1=5 after 22 minutes.
Dunshaughlin closed out the half with four points on the bounce to be on level terms, 1-9 to 3-3, at the break.
Just over a minute into the second-half, Dunshaughlin regained the lead with a Mitchell free. They were not to be reeled in again.
Matt Moyles' 35th minute goal with assistance from Ronan Geraghty and Niall Murphy moved them five clear while bolting the door on Nobber hopes of a second year-in-a-row at this level.
Scorers: Dunshaughlin - Luke Mitchell 1-9 (0-4fs); Matt Moyles 1-1; Ronan Geraghty; Matt Costello (1f), Cian Galloogly 0-3 each;
Nobber - Jordan Morris 2-3 (0-2fs); Sean Meade 1-0; Neil Farrell, Jack Condra 0-1 each.
Dunshaughlin - Adam McDermott; Oisin Foley, Fergus Toolan, Sean Gaughran; David Fildes, Niall Murphy, Tadhg O Dushlaine; John Crimmins, Adam Kealy; Harry Dunne, Ronan Geraghty, Matt Moyles; Cian Galoogly, Luke Mitchell, Caoimhin King. Subs - Michael Ahern for Crimmins (8), Niall Byrne for Murphy (50), Harry Dunne for Gaughran (54), Ray Maloney for R Geraghty (60), Wes Goodwin for Gallogly (60).
Nobber - Dary Hutcinson, Padraig Weldon, Brian Meade, Cathal Cassidy; Paul Meade, Barry Cassidy, Niall Farrell; Jack Condra, Alan Farrell; Dean Halpin, Thomas Murtagh, Sean Meade; Aidan Shields, Jordan Morris, Brendan Heffernan. Subs - Seamus Fagan for B Meade (33), Carl Casserly for Halpin (36), Dale Larkin for Shields (54).
Referee - David Gough (Slane)
