Summerhill can make amends
by Fergal Lynch Updated: Wednesday, 12th October, 2011 4:57pm
Another exciting tussle anticipated at Pairc Tailteann
Ray Maloney of Dunshaughlin and Conor Gillespie of Summerhill tussle for possession during the SFC final at Pairc Tailteann last Sunday week.
Should we really have been surprised that the SFC final ended in a draw and that next Sunday at Pairc Tailteann, 3.0, Summerhill and Dunshaughlin will have to do battle again to decide the destination of the Keegan Cup?
The draw was the third in the last five finals and it would be a brave person who would predict a winner ahead of this replay.
Most will probably side with the bookies and predict a Summerhill win, but Dunshaughlin produced such a solid, reliable performance in the initial game that they have instilled enough doubt into the equation to lenghten Summerhill's odds.
Summerhill have plenty of pedigree, but they have struggled to translate that onto the big stage.
They were by far the most impressive team in the 2008 championship, but faded badly against Navan O'Mahonys in the final.
The same can apply to 2009, but they were dumped out following a below par semi-final display against Seneschalstown.
Most observers believed that Summerhill held too many aces in their pack to be troubled by Dunshaughlin in this year's decider, but once again they flattered to deceive and were fortunate to earn a second chance. Or were they?
Dunshaughlin owned the majority of possession and looked more dangerous on the counter-attack. However, in terms of territory and match-winning chances Summerhill had the upperhand, but struggled to assert that superiority.
Despite playing well below their best Summerhill still had the two big moments to claim victory.
Five minutes into the second-half Brian Ennis forced Ronan Gogan into a magnificent save and from the follow up Caoimhin King had to produce a heroic block to hold David Larkin at bay.
The second big chance came in injury-time. Summerhill were after drawing level courtesy of an Ennis free, when Stephen McDonnell won possession.
Instead of taking on the Dunshaughlin defence he opted to find a colleague and after much procrastination the chance finally fell to centre-back Richie Hatton, but he pulled his effort wide.
Summerhill will take solace that they played significantly below their best, but are still in with a shout. However, Dunshaughlin emerged from the final with a belief that they are capable of causing an upset.
Much of Summerhill's poor play can be attributed to the excellence of Dunshaughlin's game plan. They smothered Summerhill at every opportunity and limited the supply of quality possession to their danger men. When Summerhill did work the ball forward they were met with a wall of black and amber.
It was that hard-work ethos and never-say-die attitude that sustained Dunshaughlin and they are sure to bring that to the table once again next Sunday. Summerhill will have to plan an alternative route to goal if they are to claim their first title in 26 years.
The long direct ball into Kennedy didn't work and when they tried intricate passing moves, they were quickly closed down and forced into handling errors. More emphasis will have to be placed on the ruuning game and it is there where Summerhill might find some joy.
Adrian Kenny was under utilised the first day and Paul Rispin and Ennis can also be much more potent. Conor Gillespie needs more from his midfield partner and if Sean Dalton is fit to take his place Summerhill will have more options.
However, Dunshaughlin will be a tough nut to crack. King was outstanding in the first game as was Gogan and Kenny McTigue, but it is in their forward division where they pose a proper threat.
The pace of Cathal O'Dwyer and Conor Devereux gave Caolan Young and Stephen Husband nightmares and if they can get similar quality ball into the inside forward line then Dunshaughlin will reap the benefits.
Dunshaughlin failed to create a clear goal-scoring chance last time out and it would be unusual for them to go two games without doing so.
If O'Dwyer, Niall Murphy, Trevor Dowd or Devereux get an opportunity they will trouble Tony McDonnell.
It promises to be another exciting tussle. Quality football was next to impossible because of the weather conditions in the days leading up to the drawn encounter. If the weather stays fine supporters could be in for a treat.
Better handling conditions might suit Summerhill more, so they are tipped, once again, to prove too strong.
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