Dowdallshill just fall short against Lannleire

Dowdallshill 2–6 Lannleire 1–11

Dowdallshill’s first competitive match of the year at adult level almost produced a draw that their efforts would have merited, after they were pipped by two points by the men from Dunleer in the Kevin Mullen Shield.

Having trailed at one stage by nine points, the home side rallied strongly in the final quarter, finding the net twice, while there was also a penalty which Noel Finnegan sent-over the crossbar.

Furthermore in the dying seconds, with just three points between the sides, Paul Gill’s close-range effort on-goal, also ended-up going over the black spot.

That second half recovery was a far cry from the first half when Lannleire bossed the exchanges, and with Alan Murphy ever threatening, the Dunleer attack punished most discrepancies, with Murphy getting in for the opening goal of the game, five minutes before half time.

Leading 1–6 to 0–2 at the break, Lannleire were full value for their seven point cushion, and they extended it shortly into the second half, with two more scores, to leave nine in the difference. The task for the ‘Hill was looking insurmountable.

But then, 14 minutes in, they were thrown a lifeline, when in the blink of an eye, a deft pass from Paul Gill sent Noel Finnegan through, and with a low shot, the diminutive forward found the back of the Dunleer net.

Finnegan soon added a free to further cut the deficit, before Gill was hauled-down for a penalty. From the resulting kick, Finnegan blazed his effort over the crossbar.

Another goal chance soon presented itself when Gill crashed an effort off the crossbar but there was better luck four minutes later when sub Aidan McCabe sent a long delivery-in, and Gill got the most delicate of touches, to flick the ball home.

That three pointer left just three points between the sides, and Lannleire were on the rack.

The last few minutes were dominated by the home side, with Aidan McCabe’s point reducing the arrears to three before right on the stroke of full-time, Paul Gill had that opportunity to force a draw, only to see his shot go over, rather than under, the crossbar.

A gallant effort by the home side, and a second half performance that will give a lot of encouragement going forward.

Best for the ‘Hill were Eamon Duffy, Justin Halley, Jack McGailey and Conor McGeown.

DOWDALLSHILL: Gary Corrigan; Vincent Roe, Conor McGeown, Sean Duffy; Jack McGailey, Justin Halley, Aidan Moran; Eamon Duffy, David McCrave; Johnny Burke, Anthony Quinn, Noel Finnegan (1–4); Paul Gill (1–1), Peter Begley, Conor McGailey. Subs: Luke O’Brien, Emmet O’Brien, Aidan McCabe (0–1), Ridwan Biduran.

REFEREE: Kevin Levins.