SFC Group A: Dunshaughlin foil Na Fianna rally
August 12, 2023
Dunshaughlin's Ruairi Kinsella with James Geagan Na Fianna during the Meath SFC round 2 clash at Pairc Tailteann
Promoted Dunshaughlin posted their second win of the campaign at Pairc Tailteann on Friday evening when fending off a spirited Na Fianna rally. PHOTOS
Dunshaughlin ....... 2-10
Na Fianna ........... 0-12
Putting a slow start behind them Richie Kealy's men moved six points clear by the three-quarter mark before seeming to run out of gas.
With Ethan Devine driving them forward from midfield, Na Fianna got the gap down to two points by the 58th minute..
Their resolve wasn't rewarded with the required goal but James Geagan's stopppage time effort was blocked by Dunshaughlin 'keeper Adam McDermott.
Seconds earlier Dunshaughlin gave themselves some breathing space when Aaron Murphy's sideline at the town end was netted by Ruairi Kinsella, a pivotal score that cushioned them against Na Fianna's best efforts.
A tepid affair upped a few degrees in the final quarter as Na Fianna rallied in a bid to build on their opening round win over Curraha.
Assisted by whatever advantage the blustery wind offered, Na Fianna were first to show. Jamie Queeney pointed the Baconstown-Enfield side in front inside 20 seconds.
Aaron Murphy leveled matters from a mark but Na Fianna quickly regained the lead through Ethan Devine, assisted by Sean Hurley, in the fourth minute.
Cormac Davey's charges then went 23 minutes without a score while Dunshaughlin chalked up 1-3 to move five points clear.
Both sides lost key players to injury with Dunshaughlin's Conor Gray and Na Fianna's Sean Hurley departing early in the second quarter.
Gray's resplacement, Fursey Blake, made an immediate impression, finishing to the net from close range in the 21st minute to leave it 1-4 to 0-2.
Na Fianna doubled their first-half tally in the time remaining courtesy of two Dan Queeney frees. In between those scores came Mathew Costello's third pointed free of the half.
At half-time Dunshaughlin lead by double scores, 1-5 to 0-4, with whatever advantage the elements had to come. Top scorer Ruairi Kinsella was central to their second-half push that ultimately saw them score their second win of the campaign.
Next: Fri Aug 25: Curraha v Dunshaughlin; Na Fianna v Donaghmore-Ashbourne
Scorers: Dunshaughlin - Ruairi Kinsella 1-3; Mathew Costello 0-4 (fs); Fursey Blake 1-0; Aaron Murphy 0-2 (2m); Ben Duggan 0-1.
Na Fianna - Dan Queeney 0-4 (fs); Ethan Devine 0-4 (2fs); Jamie Queeney 0-1; Luke Kelly 0-1; Cormac Rafferty 0-1;Sean Rafferty 0-1.
Dunshaughlin - Adam McDermott; Niall Byrne, Jared Rushe, Adam Kealy; Oisin Foley, Alastair Doyle, Ciaran McCarrick; Ben Duggan, Conor Gray; Conor Duke, Ruairi Kinsella, Aaron Murphy; Matthew Moyles, Mathew Costello, John McDonagh. Subs - Fursey Blake for Gray (18), Danny Quinn for Duggan (45); Mark Galvin for Kinsella (60 + 4).
Na Fianna - Shane Geraghty; Oran Smullen, Sean Rafferty, Sean Hurley; Mick Farley (c), Sean Martin, James Geagan; Owen McDonnell, Ethan Devine; Luke Kelly,.Conor Downey, Jack McNally; Sean McDonnell, Jamie Queeney, Dan Queeney. Subs - Cormac Rafferty for Hurley (18), Oisin Bright for McNally (41), Ronan Byrne for McDonnell (52), Johnny Baldwin for Smullen (54).
Referee - Keith Sheerin (Drumconrath)
