Dowdallshill G.F. & A.C.

Semi final           Dunleer Sun 20th June

Annaghminnon Rovers 0-6   Dowdallshill 0-10    Corcreaghy Tues June 8th

Team and scorers:

                                    Gary Corrigan

Damien Murphy           Gordan Mc Alester           Seamus Agnew

Cathal Mc Shane         David Agnew                     Peter Maguire

                   Brendan Maguire      Kevin Fitzsimons

Noel Finnegan               Damien Fanning                 Ciaran Sheridan

Paul Gill                          Noel Mohan                        Gerry Mc Shane

Subs used: David Mc Crave, Peter Hughes

Scorers: Paul Gill 0-3, Gerry Mc Shane 0-3, Noel Finnegan 0-2, David Agnew 0-1, Ciaran Sheridan 0-1.

Best: Gordon Mc Alester, David Agnew, Brendan Maguire and Noel Mohan.

Referee: Joey Moynagh.

Round 11

Dowdallshill  0-9   Wolfe Tones 0-4         St Brigid's Park Sun June 6th

Our final home match in the Shield produced a low scoring encounter, played in wet and slippery conditions.

With a place in the semi finals already assured, it was perhaps unsurprising that our performance lacked the intensity of some of our earlier matches. Still, it was a patchy display, and had Tones taken some of their goalscoring chances early-on, it might well have been closer at the finish.

In scoring terms, we dominated the first half, hitting 6 points on the bounce to lead 6-0 coming to half-time.

Some of Tones' shooting was abysmal, but they finally raised a white flag on 28 minutes to leave the score 6-1 at the break.

Tones got the opening score of the 2nd half to make it 6-2, before Noel Finnegan's 3rd and 4th points of the morning, pushed us 8-2 clear. It was always comfortable in the 2nd half, even though Tones managed to reduce the arrears to 4 points with 6 mins left. Gerry Mc Shane sent over the final score of the game with 4 mins remaining, to see us home by 5 points.

Team and scorers:

                                     Gary Corrigan

Damien Murphy                 Fra Agnew                 Seamus Agnew

Cathal Mc Shane               David Agnew               Anton Rogers

                    Peter Hughes         Vincey Mc Kevitt

Noel Finnegan                   Damien Fanning           Donal Sheridan

Gerry Mc Shane                  Noel Mohan                Paul Gill

Subs used: Brendan Maguire for Peter Hughes, Gordan Mc Alester for David Agnew, and David Mc Crave for Donal Sheridan.

Scorers: Noel Finnegan 0-4, Gerry Mc Shane 0-2, Paul Gill 0-1 Damien Fanning 0-1, Donal Sheridan 0-1.

Best players: Fra Agnew, Anton Rogers, Noel Finnegan

Referee: James Carroll (Glyde Rangers)

Round 10

Glen Emmets 1-12  Dowdallshill  0-8     Tullyallen Thurs night June 3rd

Despite leading 6-3 at half-time, we capitulated in the 2nd half and can have no real complaints about the outcome.

Leading by those 3 points at the interval, we were full value for our advantage, but it should have been by much more. We registered 9 wides during that spell, while 3 other point scoring opportunities fell short into the goalkeeper's hands.

And we were made pay for those wasted opportunities in the 2nd half, as the home side took complete command, outscoring us 1-9 to 0-2.

The result means Glen Emmets move 2 points clear at the top of Group 'B', although both teams are still through to the semi finals.

We have 2 games left, v Wolfe Tones, and v Annaghminnon Rovers.

Team and scorers:

                                        Gary Corrigan

Cathal Mc Shane               Gordan Mc Alester           Seamus Agnew

Damien Murphy                 Eamon Duffy                     Anton Rogers

                         Vincy Mc Kevitt      Kevin Fitzsimons

Noel Finnegan                     Peter Hughes                  David Mc Crave

Damien Fanning                   Paul Gill                           Ciaran Sheridan

Subs used:  Gerry Mc Shane for Damien Fanning, David Agnew for Gordan Mc Alester, Brendan Maguire for Cathal Mc Shane, Donal Sheridan for David Mc Crave.

Scorers: Ciaran Sheridan 0-3, Noel Finnegan 0-2, David Mc Crave 0-1, Paul Gill 0-1, Gerry Mc Shane 0-1.

Referee: Tommy Mulholland (Westerns).  

Round 9

Dowdallshill 3-13   St Kevins 1-5    St Brigid's Park Sunday 30th May

Pat Conlon's half-time teamtalk had the desired affect, after we put a mediocre first half performance behind us, to run-out very convincing winners.

Although facing into a strong wind in the first half, we enjoyed a good amount of possession, but failed to convert it into scores. A Paul Brennan goal on 3 mins had us on the backfoot, and it took us along time to regain the lead. Peter Maguire's score on 17 mins eventually got us the lead back-again, but it was the Kevins who finished the half strongest, Liam Boylan's 4 consecutive frees earning them a 1-5 to 0-7 advantage.

5 of our 1st half points came from the boot of Noel Finnegan, and the same player was to exert huge influence in the 2nd half.

We were like a completely different team in the 2nd half, Gerry Mc Shane's 2nd point of the afternoon 14 seconds-in, proving a sign of things to come. Mc Shane pointed again 2 mins later, before Noel Finnegan sent the ball straight to the top corner of the net from a 45. That goal pushed us 4 points clear, and into a winning position. And we didnt relent, Noel Finnegan going-on to finish with a personal tally of 1-8, while the other goals came from sub Paul Gill (a great individual effort), and Gerry Mc Shane.

Our 2nd half recovery was as good as anything we've produced this season, and all credit to the management team for getting the lads going for the 2nd half.

The win should be good enough to see us through to the semi finals..

Our final 2 games are against Glen Emmets (away next Thurs), and finally at home to Annaghminnon. 

Team and scorers:

                                               Gary Corrigan

Cathal Mc Shane                      Fra Agnew                  David Agnew

Damien Murphy                      Eamon Duffy                Anton Rogers

                        Vincent Mc Kevitt              Kevin Fitzsimons

Noel Finnegan                        Peter Hughes               Peter Maguire

Damien Fanning                     Gordon Mc Alester         Gerry Mc Shane

Subs used: Seamus Agnew for David Agnew, Paul Gill for Anton Rogers, Brendan Maguire for Damien Fanning and David Mc Crave for Peter Maguire

Scorers: Noel Finnegan 1-8, Gerry Mc Shane 1-4, Paul Gill 1-0, Peter Maguire 0-1

Best players: Noel Finnegan, Gerry Mc Shane, Eamon Duffy and Vincent Mc Kevitt.

Referee: Noel Hand.

Round 8

St Nicholas  0-10  Dowdallshill 1-10   Rathmullen, Friday 14th May

Although not our best performance of the season by far, our lads managed to complete the 'double' over the Nicks to keep their pitch at the top of the Group 'B' table.

We were never headed in this fixture, but had to work hard to keep our lead. And it was a goal from Paul Gill, midway through the 2nd half, which gave us some breathing space at a vital stage.

At the break, we led 0-8 to 0-4.

Pat Conlon and his selectors decided to tweak their starting-15, with Gordon Mc Allister given his chance to impress at full-back, and Anton Rogers given a more offensive role at left half forward.

There were impressive performances from Damien Murphy, Cathal Mc Shane, Gary Corrigan, Noel Mohan, Noel Finnegan, Ciaran O'Callaghan and Kevin Fitzsimons.

Team and scorers:

                                                   Gary Corrigan

Cathal Mc Shane                        Gordan Mc Allister             Fra Agnew

Damien Murphy                           Eamon Duffy                     David Agnew

                             Vincent Mc Kevitt            Kevin Fitzsimons

Gerry Mc Shane                          Ciaran O'Callaghan             Anton Rogers

Noel Mohan                                  Paul Gill                              Noel Finnegan

Subs used: Peter Hughes for Anton Rogers (HT), Ciaran Sheridan for Noel Mohan, Peter Maguire for David Agnew and Damien Fanning for Eamon Duffy.

Scorers: Noel Finnegan 0-5, Gerry Mc Shane 0-3, Paul Gill 1-0, Noel Mohan 0-1 and Ciaran O'Callaghan 0-1.

Referee: Stephen Johnston.

Round 7

Dowdallshill  3-10  Lannleire  0-7   St Brigid's Park, Thurs 22nd April

Our lads hit top-form in this top of the table clash, producing a performance of substance, and unlike the 2 most recent matches, the intensity was maintained right to the finish.

Once again, we were fastest out of the blocks, racing into a 3-1 lead after 9 minutes courtesy of early scores from Paul Gill, Noel Finnegan and Ciaran O'Callaghan.

Lannleire, who inflicted defeat on us in the very first match of the campaign (our only loss thus far), made it 3-2 with a score from Alan Murphy, however the turning point in the match came right at the end of the first quarter.

Gary Corrigan did brilliantly to block a goalbound shot with his right foot, and from the ensuing clearance from defence, we worked the ball up the field fast, and there was Noel Finnegan to stick the ball away with great aplomb. That gave us a 4 point cushion, and we built on it with another point from Paul Gill, before Noel Finnegan's speculative effort bounced in front of the outrushing Lannleire goalkeeper, over his head and into the empty net. That 2nd goal helped us to a 2-4 to 0-3 half time lead, but the big question was, could we sustain our challenge in the 2nd half.

2 early Dunleer scores might have had the alarm bells ringing, but we soon asserted again, grabbing 6 of the next 7 points, while at the same time, keeping our shape in defence.

And rounding-off a very good night's work near the end was Cathal Mc Shane, who came-up from the back to blast home our 3rd goal.

Without doubt, this was our finest all-round display of the season. Defence stood-up-well to a very pacey Dunleer forward line with Seamie Agnew at full-back and Anton Rogers on the wing, particularly effective. Rogers is certainly blossoming into a very fine prospect at just 18 years of age. We won our fair share of breaks around the middle, while in Noel Finnegan, we have a forward who continuosly delivers the goods.

This victory keeps us firmly on-course for the knockout stages, and hopefully, sets us up nicely for the start of the Div 3 League campaign on Sunday against Stabannon.

Team and scorers:

                                    Gary Corrigan

Vincy Roe                      Seamus Agnew                Damien Fanning

Cathal Mc Shane             Eamon Duffy                     Anton Rogers

                          Vincy Mc Kevitt         Fra Agnew

Noel Finnegan                  Ciaran O'Callaghan             Donal Sheridan

Peter Hughes                   Paul Gill                           Ciaran Sheridan

Subs used: Damien Murphy for Vincy Mc Kevitt HT, Gerry Mc Shane for Ciaran O'Callaghan, Noel Mohan for Ciaran Sheridan, Paddy Keogh for Anton Rogers, and William Napier (final minute)

Scorers: Noel Finnegan 2-4, Paul Gill 0-4, Cathal Mc Shane 1-0, Donal Sheridan 0-1, Ciaran O'Callaghan 0-1

Referee: Malachi Craven

Round-6

Dowdallshill   1-14   Annaghminnon Rovers 2-6, St Brigids Park, Sun April 18th.

For the second match running, our 1st team failed to produce a 60 minute performance, controlling the first half and leading comfortably at half time, only to fall asunder in the second period.

We could do no wrong in the opening half, putting together some excellent passing moves and taking some nice scores. But for whatever reason, we failed to replicate that sort of display on the re-start, and were somewhat fortunate to win by 5 points in the end.

1-1 in the opening 2 mins from Gerry Mc Shane (point) and Donal Sheridan (the goal), handed-us the early advantage, and we went-on to control matters to lead 1-9 to 0-2 at the break.

Ciaran Sheridan, on as a half time sub, extended our lead to 11 points with his first touch a minute into the second half, before midfielder Kevin Fitzsimons lobbed over another score to push us 12 clear.

But from there, we capitulated, allowing Annaghminnon come back at us with a rush of scores. 2 goals, one from the penalty spot, had us on the rack in the closing stages, and only a left footed save from keeper Gary Corrigan prevented the visitors from getting to within a single score, with a minute left.

Annaghminnon outscored us 2-4 to 0-5 in that 2nd half, a worrying statistic given that we were also guilty of a similar collapse against Glen Emmets last time out.

Despite the negatives, it's still another win in our pursuit of a knockout place.

We have a huge game coming-up on Thursday night, when we welcome fellow contenders Lannleire. That game will mark the start of the 2nd series of matches in the Shield.

What's certain is that we'll have to perform for longer, if we're to avenge the result from Round-1.

Scorers: Donal Sheridan 1-1, Ciaran Sheridan 0-3, Paul Gill 0-3, Gerry Mc Shane 0-2, Noel Finnegan 0-2, Anton Rogers 0-1, Vincent Mc Kevitt 0-1, Kevin Fitzsimons 0-1.

Team:

                                            Gary Corrigan

Fra Agnew                            Seamus Agnew             Cathal Mc Shane

David Agnew                         Eamon Duffy                 Anton Rogers

                         Vincent Mc  Kevitt         Kevin Fitzsimons

Donal Sheridan                      Ciaran O'Callaghan        Gerry Mc Shane

Noel Mohan                            Paul Gill                         Noel Finnegan

Subs used: Ciaran Sheridan for Noel Mohan (HT), Peter Huges for Eamon Duffy, David Mc Crave for Kevin Fitzsimons.

Referee: Kevin Levins 

Round-5

Wolfe Tones  0-6  Dowdallshill 2-17,  Drogheda Sat night Apr 10th 

A goal after 56 seconds from Gerry Mc Shane, set the tone for this facile win over Tones.

By half-time, we were 2-6 to 0-3 in front, the 2nd goal also coming from Gerry Mc Shane.

Another good team performance, and while the opposition were weak, it's a 4th win on the bounce, and it keeps us nicely poised for qualification from Group 'B'.

Scorers: Gerry Mc Shane 2-3, Noel Finnegan 0-4, Paul Gill 0-3, Donal Sheridan 0-2, Kevin Fitzsimons 0-2, Ciaran O'Callaghan 0-1, Peter Hughes 0-1 and Ciaran Sheridan 0-1.

Team:

                                                             Gary Corrigan

Cathal Mc Shane                                   Seamus Agnew              Fra Agnew

Damien Murphy                                     Eamon Duffy                Anton Rogers

                         Vincy Mc Kevitt                               Kevin Fitzsimons

Donal Sheridan                                     Ciaran O'Callaghan        Gerry Mc Shane

Peter Hughes                                        Paul Gill                          Noel Finnegan

Subs used: Damien Fanning for Peter Hughes, Ciaran Sheridan for Ciaran O'Callaghan, David Agnew for Cathal Mc Shane, David Lynam for Noel Finnegan, and David Mc Crave for Gerry Mc Shane.

Referee: Tommy Mulholland.

Round-4:

Dowdallshill   2-8      Glen Emmets  0-7      Bank Holiday Monday April 5th

A superb first half performance lay the foundations for this victory at a windy St Brigid's Park, as Pat Conlon's side inflicted a first defeat of the campaign on the men from Tullyallen...

1st half goals from Gerry Mc Shane (pen) and Paul Gill set us on the road, and the half time scoreline of 2-6 to 0-2 was in no way flattering to the hosts.

However while our first half effort couldn't be faulted, our 2nd half effort was much less impressive. We only scored 2 more points, and but for some poor finishing from Emmets, it could have been much closer at the end.

Scorers: Paul Gill 1-3, Gerry Mc Shane 1-1, Noel Finnegan 0-2, Donal Sheridan 0-1 and Anton Rogers 0-1.

Team:

                                            Gary Corrigan

Cathal Mc Shane                  Seamus Agnew             Fra Agnew

Damien Murphy                    Eamon Duffy                Anton Rogers

                         Vincy Mc Kevitt           Kevin Fitzsimons

Donal Sheridan                       Ciaran O'Callaghan         Gerry Mc Shane

Noel Mohan                            Paul Gill                          Noel Finnegan

Subs: Peter Hughes for Noel Mohan, Damien Fanning for Eamon Duffy, David Lynam for Donal Sheridan. 

Referee: Liam O'Neill

Round 3

St Kevins   0-9   Dowdallshilll  1-10    Sunday 27th March, Philipstown..:

A 2nd victory of the campaign, and more encouraging signs after the lads battled to victory despite a sluggish start.

At the end of the first quarter, it was the home side who led 5-2, however by half time, the gap was down to the minimum, with the Kevins ahead 6 points to 5.

Once again, it was Noel Finnegan's point scoring which kept us in the game, and it was his goal, midway through the second half, which proved the games' telling score. Just like last week against the Nicks, the ball was worked-up the field fast, and after taking a pass from Paul Gill, Finnegan tucked the ball beyond the Kevins' keeper. That 3 pointer put us 3-points clear, and it was Finnegan who rounded-off the scoring with the game's final point, to leave it 1-10 to 0-9 at the finish.

Best for the 'Hill were Noel Finnegan, Anton Rogers, Seamus Agnew, Vincie Mc  Kevitt, Kevin Fitzsimons and Paul Gill.

Absentees on the day included the 2 Mc Shanes Gerry and Cathal, and David Agnew.

Team and scorers:

                                        Gary Corrigan

Fra Agnew                        Damien Fanning        Anton Rogers

Seamus Agnew                  Eamon Duffy            Damien Murphy

                       Vinc y Mc Kevitt        Kevin Fitzsimons

Peter Hughes                     Ciaran O'Callaghan      David Lynam

Noel Mohan                         Paul Gill                      Noel Finnegan

Scorers:  Noel Finnegan 1-8 (1-1 from play), and Kevin Fitzsimons 0-2.

Subs used:  Donal Sheridan for David Lynam, David Mc Crave for Peter Hughes.

Referee: Malachi Craven

Round 3:

Dowdallshill     2-8     St Nicholas   1-8       Sun March 20th, at St Brigid's Park..

Our first team put the disappointment of losing to Lannleire in the 1st round behind them, when they notched-up their first win of the new season, at the expense of the Nicks at a sunny yet breezy St Brigids Park.

Playing into the wind in the first half, we opened-well with an early score from Noel Finnegan, and the same player was also responsible for our 2nd effort which levelled the scores-up at 2-apiece. However with Paddy O'Boyle pulling the strings around the centre, the Nicks forged ahead at 4-2, only for David Lynam to reduce the margin again (4-3).

Then in the run-in to half-time, both defences were breached at either end.

Ciaran O'Callaghan was hauled-down for a penalty, which Gerry Mc Shane converted to the top corner. That left us leading 1-3 to 0-4.

However our advantage didnt last long, because within 2 mins, a long free was delivered to the edge of the square, and 2 Nicks players raced in on it, to fist it beyond Gary Corrigan. That was the last action of the half, leaving the Droghedamen ahead 1-4 to 1-3.

The Nicks opened the 2nd half well with an early point to make it 1-5 to 1-3..

However from there, the 'Hill produced some of their best football since the 2008 season, and within 5 mins, found themselves a goal to the good.

Noel Finnegan's 3rd point of the morning, was soon followed by a brilliant move that was finished to the net by Paul Gill. And within 2 mins, were were further clear with another Finnegan effort.

We continued to dominate proceedings over the next few minutes, and further scores duly arrived from Finnegan and Gerry Mc Shane. However we also spurned 2 further goal opportunities, with David Lynam's effort blocked by the keeper, and then Noel Finnegan's attempt, proving off target.

The Nicks finished the match strongly and got the defecit back to 2 points, however Noel Finnegan's free in injury time, put the issue beyond doubt.

This was a most satisfying win, against a team who are only back-down in the Junior grade, after a year in Intermediate.

Our 2nd half performance augers well.. Ciaran O'Callaghan had a very fine last 30 mins, while also performing well were Gerry Mc Shane, Noel Finnegan and Seamus Agnew.

Team and scorers:

                                                          Gary Corrigan

Cathal Mc Shane                                 Seamus Agnew               David Agnew

Damien Murphy                                  Eamon Duffy                    Anton Rogers

                                   Gerry Mc Shane                      Fra Agnew

David Lynam                                       Ciaran O'Callaghan           Peter Hughes

Paul Gill                                                 Noel Mohan                      Noel Finnegan

Subs: Vincie Roe for David Agnew, Donal Sheridan for David Lynam, Vincie Mc Kevitt

Scorers: Noel Finnegan 0-655, Gerry Mc Shane 1-1, Paul Gill 1-0, David Lynam 0-1

Round 1:

Lannleire    3-7    Dowdallshill  2-7.   Sun March 7th, in Dunleer 

A virtuoso performance from Noel Finnegan (2-6), failed to prevent a defeat in our first competitive match of the season at a sunny Dunleer.

Finnegan, who was named in the half-back-line before the game only to be switched to attack following the late withdrawal of Donal Sheridan, proved deadly accurate in front of the posts, and his 2 quickfire goals during the 3rd quarter had us back in contention, after the hosts had opened-up an 8 point cushion.

The early exchanges were dominated by the home side, and they had 1-2 on the board without reply, inside the first 8 minutes. It took the 'Hill a long time to settle, but we eventually got off the mark on 16 mins through a Finnegan free. Further points from Finnegan (22 mins) and a punched effort from Ciaran O'Callaghan (24 mins), put just 2 between the teams. However Dunleer outscored us 3-1 in the final 4 mins of the half, leaving it 1-5 to 0-4 at the break.

A second Dunleer goal within 2 minutes of the re-start, had us on the back-foot again, and when Darren Noone added a point on 33 mins, we were 8 points in arrears.

However matters took a turn for the better, when soon after, we found the net twice in quick succession.

Gerry Mc Shane's superb delivery found Noel Finnegan in space, and after his initial shot was blocked by the keeper, he followed-up to bury the rebound.  And Finnegan wasn't finished, because within a minute, he had the ball in the net again, this time latching-onto a sideline ball from David Agnew. Those 2 speedy goals left us just 2 points in arrears, however we failed to maintain the momentum, and on 46 mins, Dunleer effectively wrapped-up the win, when Paul Callan netted their 3rd goal.

3 Noel Finnegan frees on 51, 55 and 60 mins, brought us back to within 3, however the equalising goal that was required, never materialised, and Lannleire held-out for a deserved victory.

While defeat was disappointing, there were some elements of encouragement in the performance, most notably the comeback after such a sluggish start and the fact that we battled right to the finish.

On the downside, there was a clear over reliance on Noel Finnegan for scores, while conceding 3 goals will also be a cause for concern for Pat Conlon and his selectors.

Team and scorers:

                                                              Gary Corrigan

Cathal Mc Shane                                Seamus Agnew                   Damien Fanning

David Agnew                                        Eamon Duffy                          Anton Rogers

                                           Vincent Mc Kevitt              Gerry Mc Shane

William Napier                                       Ciaran O'Callaghan                 Noel Finnegan

Noel Mohan                                             Peter Hughes                              David Lynam

Subs used: Paul Gill for William Napier, Kevin Fitzsimons for Peter Hughes, and Fra Agnew for David Agnew.

Best players: Anton Rogers, Noel Finnegan