Stoppage time drama secured a first Under 20FC title for Dunshaughlin with a minimum margin win over Ballinabrackey/Clonard in a thriller at Dunganny on Friday night

Dunshaughlin .................... 3-9
Ballinabrackey/Clonard ...... 2-11

With the last act of the game Luke Mitchell pointed a mark to crown a memorable night for Dunshaughlin in the fourth minute of added time. Photos

Three minutes earlier Mitchell revived Dunshaughlin with a goal that leveled matters for the sixth time.

The outcome is a boost to the club that lost its senior status in the relegation decider with a number of players involved in that disappointment contributing significantly to this success.

This contest ebbed and flowed with Ballinabrackey/Clonard on the cusp of collecting the Joe McKeown Cup for the first time with a four-point burst leading up to the hour mark. 

Mark Coffey's excellent effort rounded off the sequence to leave his side ahead by 2-11 to 2-8 as the final moved into stoppage time.

The amount of additional time allowed appeared excessive. However, around this time the impressive Barry Thompson opted to play the ball rather than take what seemed to be a scoreable mark. The combination side then lost possession and seconds later Mitchell goaled.

Ballinabrackey/Clonard's heartbreak was compounded by the loss in the 58th minute of full-forward David Carroll to a second yellow card.

The opening minutes were very different for the team from the south west of the county. Buoyed by a goal and a point from David Carroll to go along with Andrew Moore's opening score they were 1-2 to 0-0 ahead at the first water break.

The short interval seemed to break their momentum and revive Dunshaughlin were gained parity for the first time through Mathew Costello. Fursey Blake's point doubled Dunshaughlin's advantage.

Ballinabrackey/Clonard finished the half with a flourish with Barry Thompson's goal moving them 2-3 to 1-4 ahead at half-time.

Cathal McCormack's 37th minute goal for Dunshaughlin - with help from Mitchell - was the most significant score of the third quarter. At the second water break the teams were level, 2-6 apiece.

Both teams enjoyed the lead in the final quarter until the aforementioned scoring burst seemed to give Ballinabrackey/Clonard the advantage.

Given how their year panned out at senior level, the manner in which Dunshaughlin prevailed here made the success extra special.

Scorers; Dunshaughlin - Luke Mitchell 1-2 (0-1 mark); Cathal McCormack 1-1; Mathew Costello 0-3 (1 mark, 1f); Harry Dunne 1-0, Aaron Murphy 0-2; Fursey Blake 0-1.

Ballinabrackey/Clonard - Barry Thompson 1-2 (0-1f); David Carroll 1-1; Andrew Moore, Niall Smullen ((2fs) 0-3 each; Jack McLoughlin, Mark Coffey 0-1 each.

Dunshaughlin - Gary O'Connor; Odhran O'Riordan, Jared Rushe, Charlie O'Connor; Ciaran McCarrick, Fursey Blake, Alex Arkins Flinter; Bill Jennings, Brian Clinton; John McDonagh, Harry Dunne, Mathew Costello; Cathal McCormack, Luke Mitchell, Aaron Murphy. Sub - Ruairi Kinsella for Arkins Flinter (45).

Ballinabrackey - Dean Pluck; Kenneth Thompson, Adam O'Brien, Luke McNamee; Aidan Fitzpatrick, Mark Coffey, Sean Fitzpatrick; Sean Coffey, Leo Cullen; Conor Ennis, Niall Smullen, Justin Coyne; Andrew Moore, David Carroll, Barry Thompson. Subs - Owen Dalton for K Thompson (ht), Jack McLoughlin for Coyne (53).

Referee - Stephen Dawson (Carnaross)

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