Meath Cleaning Supplies Junior ACFC Division 1 Football Championship Final
Having faced Navan O’Mahonys twice already this year without a victory, there was plenty of history heading into Sunday’s final. But this Dunshaughlin team looked different strong, resilient, and hungry.
Dunshaughlin won the throw-in but quickly lost possession, allowing O’Mahonys to register the opening score of the game. It wasn’t long, however, before young gun Ciarán Sheridan turned up the tempo with a fine point to level matters. Moments later, Lennan McCormack found Cian Gallogly, but his shot drifted wide. Soon after, Mathew Gallagher picked out Sheridan again, who slotted over his second point to put the black-and-amber men ahead.
Unfortunately, there was an early setback when young Lennan McCormack went down with a suspected knee injury. We wish him a speedy recovery. His replacement, Eoghan Leahy, slotted into the wing-back line.
Gallagher, who had already turned provider, then got on the scoresheet himself with a well-taken point. O’Mahonys responded with two scores to level the contest, but Dunshaughlin soon seized momentum in a way we’ve seen many times this season
A superb goal from the lively Sheridan was quickly followed by points from Gallagher and Seán Clancy. Then came a huge moment: wearing the number 11 jersey, Evan O’Connor rifled home Dunshaughlin’s second goal after being brilliantly supplied by Sheridan.
O’Connor wasn’t finished there he added two more points to extend the advantage, leaving the scoreboard reading:
Dunshaughlin 2-7 | Navan O’Mahonys 0-6.
Sean O’Neill added a pointed free, quickly followed by another from Evan O’Connor, stretching Dunshaughlin’s lead to nine.
Half time score
Dunshaughlin 2-9
Navan O Mahonys 0-6
As the halftime whistle sounded, the men in black and amber regrouped. A midfield change followed as O’Neill was replaced by Ryan Robinson, with both players also involved later in the day in the senior semi-final. The plan had been agreed beforehand to give each man half a game.
The second half began with O’Mahonys striking first, registering a huge two-pointer to narrow the gap. Moments later, they threatened a goal, but Shane McEnroe and Odhrán O’Riordan stood firm in defence, shutting down the danger.
Dunshaughlin responded in style. Sheridan regained possession and linked up with Robinson, who delivered a superb pass into Mathew Gallagher. Gallagher made no mistake, slotting over point number ten along side the 2 goals for Dunshaughlin. O’Mahonys, however, kept battling and finally notched their first point from play midway through the second half.
The pattern repeated soon after Sheridan turned provider once again, feeding Robinson, who set up Gallagher for his fifth of the day. O’Mahonys battled hard, and while Adam McDermott pulled off some excellent saves in goal, the Navan men did convert a free to keep their tally moving.
But Dunshaughlin had answers. Eoin O’Connor charged forward, offloading to Sheridan, who clipped over another point. Then Gallogly, who had worked tirelessly all day as a provider, got his reward from a free. O’Mahonys pressed hard and their persistence was rewarded with a goal, cutting the gap to seven.
Dunshaughlin, however, refused to panic. Sheridan and Gallagher added further points before management introduced fresh legs, recognising the huge shift every player had put in.
Sheridan notched another score, but O’Mahonys struck again from the penalty spot, narrowing the gap to six.
The final word, fittingly, went to corner-forward Gallogly, who pointed to seal a famous victory.
Full-Time: Dunshaughlin 2-16 | Navan O’Mahonys 2-10
Dunshaughlin are Junior ACFC Division 1 Champions!
It was a day when youthful energy shone, but it was steered and steadied by real leadership. Figures like Seán O’Neill, Alaster Doyle, Adam McDermott, Tommy kinsella , Danny Quinn, Odhran O’Riordan and Luke McCarthy and many more played a crucial role in driving the young guns forward and guiding the team to this memorable victory.
Final Note
As this is my final match report for the Dunshaughlin men’s second team, I want to take a moment to thank both the management and players for their support and for every time I stuck a camera in their faces or scribbled down their performances (even if I occasionally got a score wrong! ).
It has been a real pleasure to follow this team, to capture the games and the moments, and to promote the lads as best as I could. I’ve enjoyed every match, every play, and every chance to share their journey.
Dunshaughlin abu
