Dundalk Gaels no match for St Fechins as Darver clash sees them drop to Intermediate

ANCHOR TOURS SENIOR FOOTBALL RELEGATION

St Fechin's 6-15

Dundalk Gaels 0-12

Relegation finals are all about the losers as Dundalk Gaels were no match for St. Fechins on Saturday night in Darver. 

Having toiled so hard to join the senior ranks by capturing the Intermediate title only two seasons ago, the sea-siders were in no mood to drop back down on the night.

Four second period goals showed the difference between the two sides but it was the two in the first half that allowed the Termonfeckin outfit the confidence to express themselves.

While Dundalk Gaels resistance was paltry and having escaped the drop last season, they dropped down to the dreaded Intermediate grade.

They will regroup and with some bright showings from last year's minors, they will look to those youngsters to bounce back up.

Ace Fechin’s attacker Ryan Walsh was sharp all evening and he set the tone after Liam O’Connor opened the final’s scoring.

A rapid point and goal chance created for Seán Kerrisk illustrated Walsh’s determined mood and he confirmed it fully with a stunning finish seconds later. Picked out by a wonderful Ronan Holcroft pass Walsh had the confidence required to win the game singlehandedly.

Manoeuvring his crafty experience Niall Devlin snuck in behind his marker Shaun Duffy to race through and push the game into dangerous territory for Packie O’Connor’s side. The deuce goal cushion allowed Paul Clarke’s side to control the game and ultimately the contest.

Dylan McKeown provided some hope at half time with four unanswered scores either side of the interval.

Walsh and Devlin quickly removed any doubt upon the resumption. The duo ran in six points before Tom O’Connell and McKeown completed their sides scoring.

With the final all but decided Devlin added another goal while Holcroft found the net from the penalty spot while substitutes Lee Grifferty and Eoghan Duffy completed the rout with further majors.  

ST. FECHINS: Niall McDonnell; Mark Holohan, David Lally, Danny Burnell; John O’Connell, Shane Reilly, Jamie McDonnell; Harry Haughney 0-2, Paul Mathews 0-1; Sean Kerrisk, Colm O’Neill, Bevan Duffy;  Niall Devlin 2-3 (2m), Ryan Walsh 1-7 (1m 5f), Ronan Holcroft 1-2 (1-0 pen). SUBS: Lee Grifferty 1-0 for Kerrisk (7), Eoghan Duffy 1-0 for O'Neill (43), Aaron McGlew for Reilly (52), Niall McCabe for Lally (57). 

DUNDALK GAELS: Tom Mahon; Oisín Murray, James O'Connell, Shaun Duffy; David McComish,Jack Mullen, Paul McCrave; Jordan Keating, Thomas O'Connell 0-3;  Liam O’Connor 0-1,  Aaron Culligan, Cian Walsh 0-1; Luke Murray 0-1; Seán McCann, Dylan McKeown 0-6 (3f). SUBS: Adrian Rafferty for Mahon (ht) Eanna McArdle for Culligan (ht).

REF: Stephen Devlin (Naomh Fionnbarra)