DUNSANY (MEATH)…1-14
KILCAVAN (LAOIS)…1-10
The tubularly packaged crisps with the figure who is almost a doppelganger of Manuel from Fawlty Towers as their mascot also have the sales tagline ‘once you pop you can’t stop’, well, it appears the mighty men of Dunsany have adapted it slightly to suit their own narrative. Something along the lines of ‘once you win, you won’t give in’.
Numerous column inches, each one deserved, have been dedicated to the club’s extrication of themselves from decades of heartache and torment, but, in the aftermath of the glorious exorcism, at least two further chapters have had to be added to the story of their season of seasons.
The first after the class of full forward Jack Cottrell spearheaded their usurpation of Wicklow’s Aughrim in the Leinster Club JFC quarter final, while this effort was all about Eoin Harkin inspiring a turnaround which looked as unlikely as it was superb to see unfold.
This writer actually thought there was something wrong with Clubber connection, having missed the throw in – flicking around between race meetings – I wasn’t inclined to believe that Cian Ryle’s stupendous score in the eighth minute was actually the match’s first, but indeed it was. Despite Harkin equally eloquently equalising three minutes thereafter, the Laois champions’ went on to dominate the remainder of the first half via Ryle’s accuracy and an Oisin Lawlor goal.
Only a well worked Dunsany goal – finished by Luke Horan – kept the white and red in touch, but they still trailed by 1-03 to 1-07 when impressive Dublin referee Ian Howley blew the short whistle.
Now, whether it was playing into the O’Mahonys end – traditionally the scoring goals in Pairc Tailteann – or having the aid of the stiff breeze or having the words of Kevin Cahill burning their ears, something changed, because his charges re-emerged like men possessed after the change of ends.
Harkin posted another statement-of-intent score before the hitherto lesser seen Cottrell woke the shooting boots from their slumber. As a result of same, the dynamic duo being back in sync had the Peter McDermott Cup holders back to parity inside six minutes of the restart and then, almost inevitably, nudged them in front.
From there, Dunsany never trailed. Former Gaeil Colmcille, Mullingar Shamrocks, Nemo Rangers and Meath midfielder Cahill has undoubtedly contributed incalculably to Dunsany’s eventual breakthrough. Though perhaps his greatest adendum to the club has been the footballing ability of his two lads, Harry and James.
The latter’s second half goal proving crucial to the annexation of a victory against Aughrim, while on this occasion, two gargantuan frees by Harry started the spurt which also yielded scores from influential full forward Kris Gorman and substitute Cathal Murphy and essentially saw Cahill Snr’s crew home.
DUNSANY – N. Flynn; A. Smyth, G. Byrne, P. Burke; L. Byrne, H. Cahill (0-2F), D. Smyth; S. Brennan, J. Cahill; M. Horan, E. Harkin (0-7, 3F), C. O’Sullivan; L. Horan (1-0), K. Gorman (1-0), J. Cottrell (0-3).
SUBS – C. Burke for Brennan, C. Murphy (0-1) for L. Horan, A. Brady for O’Sullivan, D. Hackett for M. Horan.
Referee: Ian Howley (Dublin)
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