Dunderry through to semis after solid display

Sometimes games can turn on split-second moments that occur in a flash yet have a big bearing on the outcome. With 51 minutes gone in this IFC quarter-final at Kildalkey on Saturday evening Na Fianna were awarded a free out on the right and Daniel Queeney floated the ball towards the Dunderry square. Instead of going over as it looked destined to do the ball rebounded off the bar. Na Fianna's Sean Griffin, who was under tremendous pressure and only had that micro-second to react, shot goalwards, but the ball rebounded off the post and away. At that stage Dunderry led by three points and it was tempting to wonder what would have happened if Na Fianna had managed to get a goal. They had some momentum behind them and were looking like they could launch a comeback. Every team needs a little luck to win a game and Dunderry got their slice of fortune in that frantic incident in their own crowded goalmouth. Not that good fortune was the only factor that went into ensuring that Dunderry progressed to the last four while Na Fianna were left to reflect on what-might-have been. "We're still there and that's what it's all about at this time of the year," Dunderry manager Barry Callaghan told the Meath Chronicle. "First 15 minutes of the second-half we took control of the game, probably made a bit of hard work of it, we could have had more scores. We survived a few scary moments. I think we're progressing, going in the right direction, but we need to improve again," he added. Dunderry worked and worked under the warm evening sun, closing down opponents, blocking the channels to their goals and moving forward with swift passing moves that opened up space in the Na Fianna backline. Callaghan's side were up for this game and only a victory was going to satisfy their hunger. And twice their forward TJ Garry made full use of chances that came his way to snatch two goals that were to prove so crucial in the end. The first arrived midway through the opening half when Stephen Coogan lofted the ball into the Na Fianna square. A defender got a touch to it yet it was Garry who rose to firmly punch goalwards. The ball was scrambled clear, but referee Cormac Reilly and the umpires agreed it had crossed the line. The green flag was raised and there were only muted Na Fianna protests. Despite that goal Dunderry still found themselves adrift by 1-3 to 0-8 at the break with their points all garnered from Coogan frees. Na Fianna needed to make a bright start to the second-half. Instead within two minutes Dunderry snatched their second goal. This time the ball was crossed from the right by John Kelleher to Garry who was about eight yards out, he did well to win the possession before blasting home. Immediately afterwards Keith Callaghan slotted over a superb point from an awkward angle for Dunderry' first point from play - and they were on their way. Na Fianna spent the rest of the game pressing forward looking to rescue an increasingly desperate situation. Dunderry counter-attacked and were able to pick off points with Andy Coogan and Stephen Coogan splitting the posts. Bob Doherty also came off the bench to slot over three fine scores late in proceedings to keep his side in pole position. Whatever scores Na Fianna got they had to really sweat for them as the Dunderry defence choked up the space and harried any opposition player in possession. Na Fianna were also seriously hampered by the fact that for much of this encounter Jamie Queeney was a peripheral figure. He picked up a thigh injury early on and despite repeated treatment he was unable to function properly. He was moved to corner forward at one stage to give him time to recover. It didn't happen for him. Eventually he was substituted. For a brief spell in the opening half Na Fianna went in front by a point. However, for most of the evening they trailed. Ollie Lewis displayed fine fielding skills, but couldn't exert a lasting influence on the game against David and Peadar Callaghan. Lewis had Na Fianna's best chance for a goal in the opening half. Instead he opted to fire over. The enterprising Michael Foley was Na Fianna's main scoring threat and he got three first-rate points from play while Lewis, Conor Downey, Daniel Queeney, Diarmuid Bailey and Harrison Silke were others who contributed to Na Fianna's tally. Both sides were economical with their chances Dunderry shooting five wides and Na Fianna two. Each side only had one player booked. Statistics that indicate how this was an entertaining, sporting enounter before a sizeable crowd. Dunderry - D Jennings; D McCormack, D Fay, Darren Callaghan; J Kelleher, E Stephens, C Harte; P Callaghan, David Callaghan; A Coogan (0-1), T J Garry (2-0), M Garry; K Dowd, S Coogan (0-4), K Callaghan (0-1). Subs - S Carty for M Garry half-time, B Doherty (0-3) for K Callaghan 47 mins, I McCormack for Dowd 56 m, T Conaty for S Coogan 61m. Na Fianna - D McCormack; D Lyons, C Cosgrave, D Gleeson; J Baldwin, T Cosgrave, D Bailey (0-1); B Queeney, O Lewis (0-2); D Hendrick, M Foley (0-4, one free), C Downey (0-1) ; D Queeney (0-3, one free), J Queeney, H Silke (0-1). Subs - S Griffin for Hendrick half-time, A Mahon for B Queeney 34 mins, D Kirby for Lyons 42m, D McDonagh for J Queeney 45m. Referee - Cormac Reilly (St Mary's).