Dunshaughlin 1-15 Blackhall Gaels 1-3

Dunshaughlin proved too strong for Blackhall Gaels in the final round of the Premier Division 8 championship on the immaculate Kilcloon grounds on Sunday morning. Both teams had already qualified for the semi-finals but the Black and Amber victory gave them third place in the group and a semi-final against Walterstown while Blackhall will take on St. Colmcilles.

The winners dominated for lengthy spells and kept the scoreboard ticking over with wind assistance in the first half. Brian Clinton, after a long solo run through the centre, shot the opening point and Mark Caldwell followed with a pointed 50 metre free before Stephen Ward added a third. A Blackhall revival yielded two points, both from John O Brien, before Dunshaughlin stretched the lead in the closing stages of the half. Danny Benson had two points, before Caldwell pointed another free and Ward then registered a brace from frees, both awarded after fouls on Cian Edwards. Benson closed out the scoring just before the break to leave the eventual winners in pole position, 0-9 to 0-2 at half time.

The scoring rate dropped in the second half but Dunshaughlin recorded an unanswered 1-2 before the water break, Caldwell again steering a free between the posts. The magic feet of Stephen Ward set up an opening and Liam Reilly finished to the net while Danny Benson floated over a superb point from the wing. Though Blackhall registered the majority of their scores in the final quarter the Black and Ambers responded with four points before the end, shared equally between Benson with two, to bring his tally to six and substitute Niall Dundon, with one from play and another from a free.

In a fine team performance Dunshaughlin were very strong defensively, with Pauric McGovern and Ollie McEnroe anchoring the centre, in front of an excellent Mark Galvin, whose clearances and kick-outs were launchpads for numerous attacks. Cillian Dennehy and Owen Herlihy were secure in the corners, while Seán Walsh and especially Liam Reilly got forward on numerous occasions.  Benson and Clinton held the upper hand at midfield, registering seven points between them, while wing forwards Jack Caldwell and Thomas Reilly put a plentiful supply of possession to good use. 

Dunshaughlin: Mark Galvin; Cillian Dennehy, Pauric McGovern, Owen Herlihy; Seán Walsh, Oliver McEnroe, Liam Reilly (1-0); Danny Benson (0-6), Brian Clinton (0-1); Thomas Reilly, Mark Caldwell (0-3), Jack Caldwell; Cian Edwards, Stephen Ward (0-3), Jack Nestor. Subs: Jordan Benson for Edwards; Mika Mampeme for Walsh; Niall Dundon (0-2) for M Caldwell; Edwards for Ward.

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