Na Dúnaibh pull off shock win in Towney against Kilcar

A Ronan Gallagher 60 yard two point free with the second last kick  of the game sent supporters of Na Dúnaibh home happy from Towney after a rip-roaring contest. 

The supporters gathered with their victorious team and Fr Charlie Byrne outside the dressing rooms afterwards. It was Kilcar native Fr Charlie's last week as PP in Carrigart and he had divided loyalties.

There were many Na Dúnaibh heroes, among them Johnny McGroddy, big Cian McBride at midfield and 'keeper Jordi Nugent, who saved a penalty from Patrick McBrearty with the sides level two minutes into added time.

Na Dúnaibh came from 10 points down after 36 minutes to get this win. They were eight down at the break, 2-9 to 1-4. The opening minutes were even with Ryan McShane finishing a Kilcar goal after good work from Ciaran McGinley and Andrew McClean. Johnny McGroddy hit back with a goal of his own after a lovely dummy.

But after a water break Kilcar took control with Patrick McBrearty hitting two two pointers and Ciaran O'Donnell finishing a second goal. Eoin McHugh was also prominent.

When points from Ciaran McGinley and Gary Molloy put Kilcar 2-12 to 1-5 ahead on 36 minutes it looked like being a one-sided affair. But Kilcar lost Eoin McHugh to an ankle injury and big Meath panel member Cian McBride took charge at midfield. Johnny McGroddy pointed and Gary Ban McClafferty intercepted the kick-out and Johnny McGroddy sent Paddy McElwee through for a second goal.

Danny McBride, just on the field, pointed and Paidin Shiels made up great ground to finish off a rebound for a third goal to cut the lead to two - 2-12 to 3-7.

Seanie Boyle and two McBrearty points to one from Ronan Pasoma had Kilcar still three ahead on 54 minutes. Na Dúnaibh points from McGroddy frees cut the lead to one but that stalwart Ciaran McGinley drove through to push Kilcar two clear on 60 minutes.

Paddy McElwee converted a two point free to have the visitors level for the first time in the second half but almost immediately Mark McHugh was fouled going through and Kilcar were awarded a penalty. The Na Dúnaibh 'keeper Nugent pulled off a wonder save to deny McBrearty from the spot as Johnny McGroddy pushed Na Dúnaibh a point clear on 64 minutes. Back came Kilcar for Ryan McShane to level matters on 67 minutes but from the kick-out Na Dúnaibh worked the ball to win a free some 60 yards from goal. Up stepped Ronan Gallagher to fire the two point winner and a memorable result.

Kilcar scorers: Patrick  McBrearty 0-8,1tp,1tpf,1f; Ryan McShane 1-2; Ciaran O'Donnell 1-0; Ciaran McGinley, Gary Molloy 0-2 each; Eoin McHugh, Andrew McClean, Seanie Boyle 0-1 each.

Na Dúnaibh scorers: Johnny McGroddy 1-8,2f; Paddy McElwee 1-3,1tp; Paidin Shiels 1-0; Ronan Gallagher 0-2, tpf; Cian McBride, Ronan Pasoma, Danny McBride 0-1 each.

Kilcar: Kevin Campbell; Pauric Carr, Eoin Cormack, Barry McGinley; Gary Molloy, Ryan McShane, Brian O'Donnell; Ciaran McGinley,  Pauric McShane; Eoin McHugh, Conor Doherty, Andrew McClean; Ciaran O'Donnell, Patrick  McBrearty, Conor O'Donnell.

Subs: Ryan O'Donnell for C Doherty (ht); Mark McHugh for E McHugh (42); Stephen McBrearty for P McShane (46); Cormac Cannon for A McClean (55)

Na Dúnaibh: Jordan Nugent; Tiarnan McBride, Ronan Gallagher, Padraig McGinty; Alastair Gerwatowski, Paul McGroddy, Paidin Shiels; Oisin Boyce, Cian McBride; Kyle McFadden, Johnny McGroddy, Shane Coll; Ronan Pasoma, Paddy McElwee, Gary Ban McClafferty.

Subs: Danny McBride for K McFadden (42); Jamie Lee McBride and Callum Cullen for P McGroddy and S Coll (both 55).

Referee: Martin McCormick (Glenfin)