Dundalk Young Ireland's lose by late point

CTI Business Solutions IFC

Hunterstown Rovers edged out Dundalk Young Irelands by a single point in a thrilling encounter at Darver on Sunday afternoon, securing victory in the first round of the CTI Business Solutions Intermediate Football Championship.

Dundalk Young Irelands nearly made a dream start, with Peter McStravick’s early shot being deflected out in the opening minute.

However, it was McStravick who opened the scoring in the 4th minute, putting Young Irelands ahead with a point.

Hunterstown responded quickly through Ryan Burns, who was in exceptional form throughout the game, leveling the score with a free.

Hunterstown gradually took control of the first half, with Burns adding another free, followed by a well-taken point in the 14th minute that caught Dundalk’s goalkeeper Fergal Sheekey off his line.

Despite a brief response from McStravick converted a free as Hunterstown extended their lead with a point from Cillian Taaffe. 

Young Irelands briefly regained momentum when Dean Maguire finished a move started by McStravick with a goal in the 18th minute, bringing the score to Hunterstown Rovers 0-4, Dundalk Young Irelands 1-2.

Hunterstown responded immediately through Burns, who converted a free before scoring a breakaway goal. 

Ciaran Russell and Ryan Ward added further points as Hunterstown dominated the final ten minutes of the first half, going into the break leading 1-11 to 1-4 after a flurry of unanswered scores.

Dundalk Young Irelands came out fighting in the second half, with Dean Maguire scoring his second goal just after the restart to reduce the deficit to four points.

Jamie Browne followed up with a point and as the half progressed, Cian Donoghue and Ruiari Kelly added further points, narrowing the gap to just one point. 

As the clock ticked down, Peter Nixon converted a mark in the 60th minute to level the scores at 1-11 to 2-8, setting up a nail-biting finish.

However, Hunterstown’s Ward emerged as the hero, fisting the ball over the bar in the 6th minute of injury time to secure a dramatic victory for his side, with Hunterstown’s only point of the second half proving decisive.

The final scoreline of Hunterstown Rovers 1-12 to Dundalk Young Irelands 2-8 reflected a fiercely contested match, with Hunterstown holding on for a vital win in the opening round of the Intermediate Championship.

Hunterstown Rovers: Donvan Sheridan; Euan Woodlock, Michéal Reid, Cillian Taafe (0-1); Daithi Carroll, Patrick Taaffe, David Finn (0-1); Shane Halpenny, Jason Monaghan; Jamie O'Callaghan, Ryan Burns (c) (1-5, 0-3f), Aaron Levins; James Rogers, Ryan Ward (0-4, 1f, 1 mark), Dean Burns, Ciaran Russel (0-1).

Subs: Glenn Matthews on for Daithi Carroll (39'), Alan Landy on for James Rogers (55').

Dundalk Young Ireland's: Fergal Sheekey; Conn O'Donoghue, Ciarán Murray, Seán Murphy; Jamie Browne (0-1), Jordan O'Donoghue (c), Liam McStravick; Peter Nixon (0-1, 1 mark), Ruairi Kelly (0-2); Cian O'Donoghue (0-1), Dermot Mone, Peter McStravick (0-2 1f); Cian O'Nairaigh, James Prendergast, Dean Maguire (2-1).

Subs: Caolan McCabe for J Prendergast (33'), Brendan Prendergast on for L. McStravick (42'), Paul Carrie on for Dean Burns (17'), Tony McKenna on for Aaron Levins (49'), Jack Watters on for Seán Murphy (55'), Liam McStravick on for Browne (60').

Referee: Stephen Johnson,