Gaels and Hunterstown set for replay after dramatic draw

Dundalk Gaels and Hunterstown Rovers played out a dramatic draw in the Louth Intermediate Football Championship final at DEFY Páirc Mhuire, Ardee on Sunday.

Both sides were determined to secure the Seamus Flood Cup with Dundalk chasing their fifth intermediate title and Hunterstown hoping to end a 25-year wait since their last success in 1999.

After a tense and thrilling battle, the game ended in a draw and is set up for an exciting replay this Saturday. Dundalk Gaels came into this final with a reputation for playing in tight matches throughout the championship, while Hunterstown Rovers who are looking for their third-ever Intermediate title had history on their side.

The first half was largely dominated by the Gaels who were clinical in front of goal and efficient with their chances. On the other hand, Hunterstown struggled to convert their opportunities and were left to rue their poor shooting which ultimately kept them on the back foot for much of the match.

It didn’t take long for the Gaels to stamp their authority on the game when Seán Murray opened the scoring just two minutes in with a well-taken point to give the Rampart side the early lead.

The Gaels remained patient and organised in their play and young captain Dylan McKeown doubled the score on 12 minutes with a fine point from his left boot. Hunterstown showed signs of nerves in attack as a series of wides began to mount up.

Padraic Tinnelly added a third point for the Gaels at the start of the second quarter when he converted a well-taken mark. It was clear that the Gaels had come prepared as they made the most of every scoring chance but in contrast, Hunterstown struggled to find their rhythm.

They shot five wides in succession and remained scoreless until Tony McKenna finally opened their account with a point in the 18th minute.

Dundalk Gaels delivered a crucial blow with just under ten minutes remaining in the first half when a high ball delivered by Seán Murray was brilliantly caught by Thomas O’Connell, who turned and fired it into the roof of the net to leave Hunterstown goalkeeper Donovan Sheridan no chance.

The goal pushed the Gaels' lead to five points and they were firmly in the driving seat as the teams headed into the halftime break with the scoreline 1-3 to 0-1.

Hunterstown knew they had to improve drastically in the second half and they certainly came out with more intent. Captain Ryan Burns knocked over a free to cut the deficit within three minutes of the restart.

However, Dundalk were not about to let their lead slip and Dylan McKeown restored their advantage shortly after when he scored a point from a free of his own.

Tony McKenna gave the Rovers another lifeline with a superb point from distance in the 38th minute, but as the wides continued to pile up, it seemed as though Hunterstown’s shooting woes were going to cost them dearly.

Then the game took a dramatic turn in the 46th minute. Cillian Taaffe made a brilliant run to find space in the Gael's defence before laying off the ball to Patrick Taafe who coolly slotted it into the net. Suddenly, Hunterstown were back within a point and the momentum had shifted to the men in red.

But just as quickly as Hunterstown clawed their way back, Dundalk Gaels responded. Straight from the kick-out, a long ball from McKeown found Tony McDonnell who managed to get a crucial touch and send it past the Hunterstown keeper to restore Gaels' four-point cushion at 2-4 to 1-3.

The excitement didn’t stop there as Hunterstown was not done yet and kept pushing forward. Ryan Burns added two more points from frees, including a controversial one in the 56th minute that appeared to have gone wide, but the white flag was raised.

Substitute Dean Burns then narrowed the gap further with a point to bring Hunterstown within a point of Kevin McKernan’s side with just minutes remaining.

Both teams fought desperately for control as the clock ticked into injury time. Hunterstown had several chances to level things but some strong defending from the Gaels, including a heroic block from Seán McCann kept them at bay.

However, substitute Paul Carrie found space and fired over a point in injury time to bring the sides level for the first time in the game. It was a dramatic finish to a game that neither side truly deserved to lose.

While the Gaels will be disappointed not to have held on for the win, they can take heart from their clinical first-half performance. Meanwhile, Hunterstown will be relieved to have earned a draw after a poor start and many missed opportunities in the first half.

Both teams will be wondering how they didn’t manage to win it in the end but the replay promises to be another exciting encounter. The replay will take place on Saturday at DEFY Páirc Mhuire, Ardee.

Dundalk Gaels: Aaron Culligan; Kyle Rafferty, James O’Connell, Padraic Tinnelly (0-1, 1 mark); Shaun Duffy, Oisin Murray, Luke Murray; James Stewart, Seán McCann; Jordan Keating, Seán Murray (0-1), David McComish; Dylan McKeown (c) (0-2, 1f), Thomas O’Connell (1-0), Tony McDonnell (1-0).

Subs: Liam O’Connor on for Padraic Tinnelly (38’), Gary Shevlin on for Jordan Keating (46’), Jack Mullen on for Luke Murray (55’), Jordan Keating on for Kyle Rafferty (55’).

Hunterstown Rovers: Donovan Sheridan; Euan Woodlock, Micheál Reid, Cillian Taaffe; Daithi Carroll, Patrick Taaffe (1-0), David Finn; Shane Halpenny, Jason Monaghan; Aaron Levins, Ryan Burns (c) (0-3, 3f), Tony McKenna (0-2); James Rogers, Ryan Ward, James Russell.

Subs: Dean Burns (0-1) on for Shane Halpenny (HT), Ciarán Russell on for James Rogers (37’), Paul Carrie (0-1) on for David Finn (41’), Jamie O’Callaghan on for Aaron Levins (51’).

Referee: Damien Connor (St. Patrick’s).