Dunshaughlin make most of second chance

SFC No redemption for Tones as champs march on

History repeated itself at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday as Dunshaughlin replicated their Keegan Cup final victory from 11 months ago to see off Wolfe Tones and advance to the semi-finals.

The victory represents a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for the champions who won just one game in their group and who only advanced to the last eight by virtue of Meath Hill's last gasp victory over Rathkenny in the final round of group games.

Wolfe Tones, who went through their group unbeaten, looked on course for the win when Saran O Fionnagain kicked his fifth point from play to make it 1-11 to 1-10 in the 54th minute, but they failed to score for the remainder as Dunshaughlin finished impressively with the outstanding Conor Gray leading the charge.

Dunshaughlin looked set to make the most of their reprieve from the group stages when they led at the break, but it didn't start well for them as Ben Duggan bounced the ball twice when on the attack and then didn't hand it to a Tones player which left referee Cormac Reilly with no choice put to award a free on the 40-metre arc which Thomas O'Reilly landed to open the scoring with a two-pointer in the third minute.

Luke Mitchell got his eye in early with a converted free and six minutes later Adam Kealy saw his deflected shot tipped over the crossbar by Ciaran O Gallachoir to restore parity.

Wolfe Tones received a boost when Eoin Donegan set up Tom Gavigan for a brilliant goal, but after Mitchell sandwiched an O'Reilly free with two placed balls of his own, the deficit was cut to 0-4 to 1-3.

Saran O Fionnagain was quick on his feet to point after a solo-and-go in the 22nd minute, but Dunshaughlin dominated the remainder scoring five of the last six points.

Mitchell grabbed his first from play on the loop before Conor Duke arrowed a brilliant two-point free from tight to the right-hand sideline to tie it up, 0-7 to 1-4.

Ross Gallagher replied with Wolfe Tones sole score in that period before Mathew Costello and Mitchell (free) ensured a 0-9 to 1-5 interval lead for the defending champions.

Wolfe Tones burst from the traps after the break and looked the better side for long periods. Fiachra Ward fired a goal chance at Tim O'Sullivan and five minutes later Thomas O'Reilly embarked on a brilliant run before rattling the crossbar with a fierce drive.

O Fionnagain eventually restored parity in the 40th minute, but three minutes later Dunshaughlin took a decisive step to victory when Conor Duke released Gray and the giant midfielder cut through the Tones defence before applying a brilliant finish to make it 1-9 to 1-6.

Wolfe Tones were denied a second goal when O'Sullivan reacted brilliantly to keep out Oisin Martin's deflected effort, but they did manage to get their noses in front by the 52nd minute when Conor Sheppard, O Fionnagain (two) and Gavigan were all on target in a five minute spell.

Gray sensed a second goal a minute later, but was denied by O Gallachoir before Ruairi Kinsella clipped over his only score to restore parity with 10 minutes still left on the clock.

O Fionnagain edged Tones ahead again, but that proved to be their last score as Mitchell equalised before Duke, Costello and Mitchell, from a free that was awarded for a four-back defensive breech and further dissent from the sideline, sealed the deal and ensured Dunshaughlin's reprieve is ongoing.

Dunshaughlin - Tim O'Sullivan; Fiach Hartigan, Fursey Blake, David Fildes; Adam Kealy (0-1), Darryll McKenna, Ben Duggan; Conor Gray (1-0), Charlie O'Connor; Conor Duke (0-3 one two-point free), Ruairi Kinsella (0-1), Mathew Costello (0-2); John McDonagh, Aaron Murphy, Luke Mitchell (0-7 six frees). Subs - Niall Byrne for Kealy 26m, Tadhg O Dushlaine for Murphy 36m, Kealy for Fildes 52m, Adam Hanley for McKenna 56m.

Wolfe Tones - Ciaran O Gallachoir; Bruaghach O Fionnagain, Shane Glynn, Conor Sheppard (0-1); Dan O'Neill, Ross Gallagher (0-1), Sean Penny; Adam O'Neill, Oisin Martin; Caolan Ward, Thomas O'Reilly (0-3 one two-point free, one free), Eoin Donegan; Tom Gavigan (1-1), Fiachra Ward, Saran O Fionnagain (0-5). Subs - Padraig Diamond for Penny half-time, Niall O'Reilly for D O'Neill 50m, Adrian Crawford for Sheppard 60m.

Referee - Cormac Reilly (St Mary's).