Dunshaughlin claimed silverware in Ashbourne with a last gap score from Shane Kelly to claim the ACFL B League Division 2 title.
Dunshaughlin 0-11
Donaghmore/Ashbourne 0-10
Having been the only team to defeat Dunshaughlin this season in the B League, the black and ambers were out for revenge against Donaghmore/Ashbourne as well as the League title.
Dunshaughlin started well, in particular Trevor Dowd, who had the visitors 0-02 to no score after ten minutes. The opening score was a point from play and the second came from a free when David Devereux was fouled close to the goals. Eamon Bowe profited from good interplay by Devereux, Dowd and Michael Johnson when he collected the ball from Johnson, he turned inside his marker to fire over the bar. Donaghmore/Ashbourne finally got off the mark in the 13th minute with a point from play. Michael Johnson added Dunshaughlin’s fourth point midway through the half before Stephen Clusker made a great save to preserve the black and amber lead. As the end of first half approached, Dunshaughlin were awarded a penalty, but a remarkable triple save kept Dunshaughlin out. Having missed the penalty, Trevor Dowd added three further points before Donaghmore/Ashbourne added there second of the afternoon in the 5th minute of time added on to the end of a thoroughly entertaining first half. Dunshaughlin went into the break leading 0-07 to 0-02.
David Devereux converted a free to extend Dunshaughlin’s lead to 6 points early in the second half. The home side plucked one point back before the unstoppable Dowd added another free ten minutes into the second half. Donaghmore/Ashbourne hit a purple patch midway through the half and rattled off three points in quick succession to reduce Dunshaughlin’s lead to 3points, 0-09 to 0-06. Eamon Bowe stopped the rot with another fine point in the 47th minute, but Donaghmore/Ashbourne were giving up and drew level with four points without reply with the clock ticking down to full time. With a draw looking inevitable, Dunshaughlin won a break in midfield and worked the ball to Mark Devanney. Devanney saw Shane Kelly and put him into the clear with a sublime pass, Kelly striding away from the chasing pack of defenders before showing all his years of experience and calmly slotting a superb left footed shot over the bar to claim their first B League title since the dream team of 99.
It was a brilliant team effort throughout the year, culminating in today win, but on the day Donnacha Lloyd, Tommy Johnson, Kevin Moyles, Eamon Bowe and Trevor Dowd stood out for the winners.
Team: Stephen Clusker, Donnacha Lloyd, Tommy Johnson,
Fearghal Delaney, Alan McLoughlin, Kevin Moyles, Tadgh O’Dubhshlaine,
Subs: Niall Dundon for Dara Devereux, Brian Murphy for Lloyd, Shane Kelly for O’Dubhshlaine, Mark Devanney for Delaney.
