Dunderry players before today's game with Ballivor

Martyn's goal proves crucial as Dunderry sustain ambitions

Jimmy Geoghegan

Published: Sun 26 Sep 2021, 7:07 PM

Last updated: Tue 28 Sep 2021, 8:02 AM

Dunderry maintained their IFC ambitions when they defeated Ballivor 1-9 to 1-6 in the preliminary quarter-final at Trim today.

The game was marked by a torrential downpour in the second-half but the wind and the driving rain couldn't knock Dunderry off course as they marched to victory.

Dunderry led 0-4 to 0-3 at the interval and the led the way for much of the second-half however they really helped their cause after 53 minutes when Luke Martyn knocked the ball to the net from close range.

Shortly before Martyn stuck Ballivor went two points in front helped partly by a well taken goal scored by Stefan Kelly after he was released by Adam Gannon who was a thorn in the side of the Dunderry defence all game.

The game ebbed and flowed throughout with Conor Farrell proving to be Dunderry's main marksman with four points. Paddy Kennelly came on to knock over two fine scores for the winners while Dermot Kelly, Conor Daly and Stephen Coogan also lofted over for them.

Ballivor made changes for the second-half with Padraig Geoghegan coming on to have a big impact his probling, visionary passes exposing gaps in the Dunderry defence.

Paddy Connelly, Gannon, Keith Keoghan were other players to have big games for the Maroons.

Brendan McKeon scored two points for Ballivor while Geoghegan, Keith Keoghan, Gannon and Kevin McKeon also pointed but they needed more.

In the curtain-raiser at Trim Moynalvey defeated Navan O'Mahonys 1-15 to 1-7 in the SFC relegation quarter-final.

Moynalvey led 0-6 to 1-2 at the break with Cillian O'Sullivan going on to score seven points in a tour de force display. Stephen Donoghue netted Moynalvy's goal. Mark O'Sullivan also hit four points.

Evan Coffey grabbed an early goal for O'Mahonys but they were unable to withstand the relentless pressing of Moynalvey in the second-half and succumbed to a defeat that ensures their relegation worries continue.

Moynalvey, however, have no such concerns.

SEE MATCH REPORTS OF BOTH GAMES IN NEXT ISSUE OF THE MEATH CHRONICLE