DKIT suffer narrow loss against Trinity College in Division 2 final

It was heartbreak for Dundalk IT who lost out by a solitary point in their Division 2 league final clash with Trinity College Dublin in Dundalk on Wednesday night.

On reflection, the Dundalk side will look back and wonder how they did not prevail in this final, having led by 1-8 to 0-6 at the break, thanks to a goal just before the break from Stabannon Parnells’ Bobby Butterly, who once again showed his worth as an attacking corner back.

However, DKIT will rue only amassing 0-1 from 11 second half shots including 6 short, as their opponents outscored them by six points to take victory, with a late free from Con Smith proving to be the key score with 57 minutes on the clock.

Following that, DKIT still had their chances to equalise and even go on to win the game, but kicked three efforts into the keeper’s hands, which was a common theme of the second half for the Dundalk side, as Trinity held on to claim the Division 2 spoils.

The home side began proceedings well, getting the opening three scores of the game, as they made life difficult for Trinity in attack, with Conor Clarke, and Ben Goss Kieran producing some excellent turnovers.

At the other end, Stephen Mooney (mark) opened the scoring for DKIT, before the Monaghan man was set up by Clarke to convert from play moments later.

Another neat, flowing move involving Liam Stafford and Aaron O’Neill, led to Pierce Blessing finding the range in a dominant early spell for the Louth college.

Despite failing to score in the first 10 minutes, Trinity still carried a goal threat, with a neat move on the right wing involving Con Smith, which saw half back Jack O’Connell come within a whisker of grabbing the opening goal as his shot fizzed past the post.

Trinity eventually opened up their account through Ruairi McSweeney, before a fine effort from range by Ben Kane, left just one between the sides by the end of the first quarter.

DKIT’s uncharacteristic wastefulness in front of the posts was a cause for concern, while they were also guilty of allowing their opponents back into the game.

Liam Stafford who worked tirelessly throughout for DKIT, traded scores with Ruairi McErlain to make it 0-4 to 0-3 in the home side’s favour after 20 minutes.

Stafford was again involved in the next DKIT score, when his pass found the lively Stephen Mooney to put two between the sides, while Bobby Butterly found Jamie Murphy for his first score of the night, to give DKIT a 0-6 to 0-3 lead with 8 minutes remaining until the break.

Luke Casserly kept Trinity within touching distance with a well-worked point to close the gap to two.

However, DKIT finished the half strongly, outscoring Trinity by 1-2 to 0-1 to take a five point lead into the break.

Those who braved the cold elements were treated to the pass of the match from DKIT’s Aaron O’Neill. The Crossmaglen man’s gorgeous kick pass found Harry Butterly in space, who clipped the ball over the bar to put three between the sides.

Aaron O’Neill, younger brother of Armagh All Ireland winning pair Rian and Oisin O’Neill, finished with 26 possessions over the hour.

Ryan Duffy then teed up Stephen Mooney for this third score of the hour, as DKIT put breathing space between themselves and their opponents.

A neat move through the hands following a turnover, saw Harry Butterly find his brother Bobby in behind and one on one with the keeper, with Bobby bravely fisting the ball over Trinity keeper Sean Mullane and into the net to make it 1-8 to 0-5 in DKIT’s favour.

However, DKIT were guilty of conceding frees within scoring range, and Ruairi McErlain (f), left five between the sides at the break.

Second Half:

Upon the resumption, Trinity made several half time changes, which appeared to bare fruit, as they rattled off six points without reply, to lead DKIT by 1-8 to 0-12 with five minutes remaining.

DKIT in this half, only amassed 0-1 from 10 shots, which included 6 kicked short. This included a key save by Trinity keeper Sean Mullane to deny Conor Clarke from close range, a goal which the Dreadnots’ man’s efforts would have merited, having regained possession on several occasions for his side.

Ruairi McErlain continued to punish DKIT’s needless fouling at the back with two frees, before Ben Kane and sub Liam Fentan left just a point between the side at 1-8 to 0-10, by the end of the third quarter.

Trinity were gaining the upper hand at midfield at this point, winning 8 out of 15 kickouts contested, with Conor Leonard and Tom McCarroll effective at winning possession.

DKIT continued to kick efforts short, and Trinity punished them, with frees from Ruari McErlain and Ben Kane levelling things up, with Michael McGrath venturing up from corner back to give them the lead with 8 minutes remaining.

DKIT to their credit, fought back to equalise through Jamie Murphy with four minutes remaining, with extra time a possibility.

However, Trinity had the final say, with Con Smith converting a free, which proved to be the winner, as DKIT rued those shots kicked short, as they painfully lost out in the league final by a solitary point.

However, despite defeat, DKIT will head into their Trench Cup campaign with cause for optimism, with a side that has a myriad of talented county players on display, and more to return from injury.

Dundalk IT: Daire O’Shea; Fionn Tipping, Ben Goss Kieran, Bobby Butterly (1-0); Conor Clarke, Thomas Og Duffy, Ryan Duffy; Pierce Blessing (0-1), Liam Stafford (0-1); Hughie Corcoran, Aaron O’Neill, Ciaran Shields; Stephen Mooney (0-3) (1 mark), Jamie Murphy (0-3), Harry Butterly (0-1).

Subs: Craig Callanan for Tipping (36), Daniel Ehichoya for Shields (47), Fintan Brady for Corcoran (53).

Trinity College Dublin: Sean Mullane; Sean Brazil, Tom Hughes, Michael McGrath (0-2); Jack O’Connell, Luke Casserly (0-1), Ruairi McSweeney (0-1); Tom McCarroll, Conor Leonard (0-1); Adam Treanor, Con Smith (0-1) (1f), Hugh Hamilton; Ruairi McErlain (0-5) (4f), Oisin Kirwan, Ben Kane (0-1).

Subs: Lee Pierson for O’Connell (HT), Liam Fentan (0-1) for Kirwan (HT), Jack Burke for (42), Fintan Quinn for McErlain (50), Killian French for McSweeney (57).

Referee: Enda Mallon (Co Armagh).