Dunshaughlin 1-7  Ballinabrackey 1-13

Dunshaughlin will have one more chance to retain their senior status in two week’s time after suffering a defeat at the hands of Ballinabrackey in the Senior Relegation semi-final in a sunny Trim on Sunday afternoon.

Dunshaughlin started the game well, assisted with the breeze on their backs and led 0-4 to 0-1 at the first water break courtesy of three pointed frees from the boot of Luke Mitchell and a point from play from John McDonagh. Dunshaughlin did not continue to use the breeze to their advantage in the 2nd quarter, allowing Ballinabrackey back into the game by conceding three points, failing to score themselves and frustratingly dropping shots for points short on three occasions, leaving the game tied at half time at 0-4 apiece. Dunshaughlin had to play the whole of the 2nd half with only 14 men after the centre forward got a red card just before half time.

The third quarter was a low scoring enough affair with Dunshaughlin scoring only one point, Mitchell with a free and with Ballinabrackey scoring three points they held a two-point lead going into the final quarter (0-7 to 0-5).

A point from Dunshaughlin substitute Aaron Murphy left the bare minimum between the sides and Dunshaughlin missed a great chance to level the scores with nine minutes remaining. However, in the five minutes that followed Ballinabrackey posted 1-5 without reply ending the game as a contest. Dunshaughlin fought bravely to reduce the nine-point deficit and were rewarded with Fursey Blake goal in the 28th minute. The last score of the game was another pointed free from the boot of Mitchell.

Dunshaughlin now face Navan O’ Mahony’s in the Relegation Final and will be hoping for a similar result as in the group stages earlier in the group stages of the championship when they defeated the Brews Hill team.

Dunshaughlin -  Adam McDermott, Oisin Foley, Niall Murphy, David Dunne, Fursey Blake (1-0), Alastair Doyle, Tadhg O Dushaine, Ben Duggan (C); Adam Kealy, David Fildes, Ruairi Kinsella, John McDonagh (0-1), Cian Gallogly, Ronan Geraghty , Luke Mitchell (0-5, 5f). 

Subs - Aaron Murphy (0-1) for Fildes, Eric Casserly for Dunne, Ciaran McCarrick for Doyle 

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