Dunshaughlin CC 4-8
FCJ Bunclody 2-13

Dunshaughlin Community College captured the U14 Leinster Colleges Football B title with a thrilling one point victory over FCJ Bunclody of Wexford on Friday 8th February which was played on the Astro Turf pitch in St Brigids, Blanchardstown.

While Dunshaughlin opened the scoring through a well taken Sean O'Neill free it was Bunclody who settled best and were four points to one ahead after 15 minutes. Dunshaughlin then found their stride with some excellent points from full forward Cathal Murphy who tormented the Bunclody defence in the first half.

Dunshaughlin started to dominate around the middle of the park and hit a purple patch that produced a devastating four goals in ten minutes for the young Meath side as Bunclody struggled to cope with the pace and movement of the Dunshaughlin forwards. Goals from Cian Gallogly, Ross McQuillan, Darragh Campion and a penalty goal by O'Neill meant Dunshaughlin had a sizeable nine point lead going into the break. The score at half time was 4-5 to 0-8.

The first five minutes of second half was a nip and tuck affair with a point for Bunclody quickly cancelled out by an excellent Murphy point from an acute angle after a rampaging run from McQuillan. However, the Wexford side then took control around the middle of the park and slowly eroded the Dunshaughlin lead with a spell that produced a goal and four points with a just a pointed O'Neill free for Dunshaughlin in reply to leave only 4 points between the sides.

Dunshaughlin were under severe pressure as the Wexford school attacked in waves with Bunclody midfielder Gavin Watchorn and wing half back Ciarán Murphy causing problems. Only for some heroic defending from McQuillan, who dropped back in front of the full back line, Robbie Clarke, Mampeme Mikamibua, Sam Butler and some brilliant saves from the cool, calm and collected Mark Foy in goal, Bunclody could have been leading as the game entered the last five minutes. Further sustained pressure from Bunclody resulted in a point and then a well taken goal on the rebound after a great save from Foy to leave the sides level as the game entered injury time.

However, just as in the North Leinster final a few weeks ago it was talismanic midfielder Darragh Campion who stepped up to the plate to score what would ultimately prove to be the winning point. An excellent break away move that started with a long solo run deep into the Bunclody half by Mikamibua followed by some clever passing from O'Neill and Sean Irwin where the ball eventually made its way to Campion and the Dunshaughlin midfielder coolly turned and pointed from 30 yards out.

While Bunclody had chances to sneak a win at the death it was the Meath school who hung on to claim the Leinster title by the narrowist of margins. The final whistle from referee Timmy McCarthy sparked frantic celebrations amongst the sizeable Dunshaughlin support who invaded the pitch to congratulate the team.

Scorers: Seán O'Neill 1-2 (1-0pen, 2f), Darragh Campion 1-2, Ross McQuillan 1-1, Cathal Murphy 0-3, Cian Gallogly 1-0.

Dunshaughlin CC: Mark Foy (Walterstown), Tom Dalton (Dunshaughlin), Adam Kealy (Dunshaughlin), Robbie Clarke (Skryne), Mampeme Mikamibua (Dunshaughlin), Sam Butler (Dunshaughlin), Jack Hetherington (Dunshaughlin), Sean Irwin (Walterstown), Darragh Campion (Skryne), Frank Carty (Skryne), Ross McQuillan (St. Patrick's, Cullyhanna), Paddy Conway (Blackhall Gaels), Sean O'Neill (Dunshaughlin) Cathal Murphy (Dunsany), Cian Gallogly (Dunshaughlin). Subs: Rian Kealy (Blackhall Gaels), Paddy Maher (Dunshaughlin), Neill Byrne (Dunshaughlin), Donagh Garvey (Bective), Ross Shivmangal (Simonstown), Michael Long (Skryne), Dylan O'Brien (Dunshaughlin), Lee Lynch (Dunsany), Paddy McCabe (Walterstown), Cian Maher (Dunshaughlin), Fionn Maguire (Dunsany) Ciarán Malone (Dunshaughlin), Turlough Malone (Dunshaughlin), Shane Claire (Dunshaughlin), Andrew Slevin (Dunshaughlin), Seán Byrne (Skryne), Eoin Harkin (Dunsany). Tweet

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