Bray People

Dawson strikes late to earn Dunlavin a draw

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DUNLAVIN BALTINGLAS­S 1-12 1-12

DUNLAVIN put in a blistering late finish to secure a draw against Baltinglas­s in the relegation section of the Division 1 football league last Wednesday evening in front of a decent following.

In ideal conditions for football, Jonathan Daniels’ men will have rued a couple of missed chances along with hitting crossbar while Ciaran Walshe will be wondering how his men let Dunlavin get back in this game after the visitors were five points ahead with four minutes left on the clock.

However, history does repeat itself as much the same happened in their previous encounter back a couple of weeks ago.

John McGrath landed a stunning long-range point from a sweet pass from Jason Kennedy immediatel­y from the throw in to give the visitors a flying start.

Chris Heaslip added a brace of points as the home side were slow getting into the game.

A couple of wild shot selections went amiss for the home side before Cian O’Sullivan got them off the mark from a placed ball in the 70th minute.

John McGrath fielded the resultant quick kick-out, (which were a feature of the game throughout by both sides) and laid off to Daniel Kelly to knock over a mighty point.

Goalkeeper Mark Jackson landed another point from the carpet to close out the opening quarter with the visitors leading 0-5 to 0-2.

Mark Reid, who was playing well, tagged on a point before Peadar Burke replied with another. Dunlavin cursed their luck after Shane O’Rourke laid a peach of a ball across to the on running Paul Murtagh who flicked the size five over Jackson’s head, but the ball crashed back out of the underside of the crossbar.

Dunlavin did, however, add two more points before the half-time whistle sounded with the sides level at seven points apiece.

Dunlavin won the throw in on the restart and a Marty Caplis effort all but crossed the goal-line but very honest umpiring didn’t raise the green flag.

After this escape, the visitors landed a trio of points from Peadar Burke and a brace from the energetic Jason Kennedy to close out the third quarter leading 0-10 to 0-7. However, the home side started to grow into the game with Eoin Murtagh stepping up the ante.

Murtagh landed a point from 65 meters, which hopped over the crossbar. Mark Reid added his second point, but Cian Lee responded with a goal for the visitors.

A period of eight minutes passed without either side adding to the tally with the visitors five points to the good with four to play.

Cian O’Sullivan pointed on the 60-minute mark as we went into added time.

O’Sullivan pointed again to reduce the lead to three. A high ball went into the danger area where, after a slight scramble, Daniel Dawson rose above Mark Jackson to finish to the net to level the match before the whistle sounded in the third minute of additional time.

It looks like Dunlavin will drop down to Division 1A next season while Baltinglas­s still have a bit to do with a mouthwater­ing winner takes all against neighbours Kiltegan this week. With Baltinglas­s, Kiltegan and Bray level on three points, it could come down to separate these three, however a draw would suit both the west teams. We hold our breath!

Scorers – Dunlavin: Cian O’Sullivan 0-6 (4f), Daniel Dawson 1-0, Mark Reid 0-2, Shane O’Rourke 0-1, James Walsh 0-1, Paul Murtagh 0-1, Eoin Murtagh 0-1.

Baltinglas­s: Cian Lee 1-1, Peadar Burke 0-3, Chris Heaslip 0-2, Dan Kelly 0-2, Jason Kennedy 0-2, John McGrath 0-1.

Tom McGuirk; Louis Caplis, Sean Phelan, Harry Coleborn; Daryl Huntley, Daniel Dawson, Alan O’Sullivan; Thomas Davis, Paul Murtagh; Mark Reid, Eoin Murtagh, James Walsh; Cian O’Sullivan, Sean O’Rourke, Marty Caplis. Subs: Niall Faherty, Timmy Metcalfe, MJ Moran, Mark O’Sullivan.

Mark Jackson; Aaron Barrett, Ian Sheeran, David Gethings; Patrick Burke, Billy Cullen, Cian Lee; Jason Kennedy, John Mc Grath; Brian Nolan, Daniel Kelly, Stephen Heaslip; Christophe­r Heaslip, Peadar Burke, Lee Furlong. Subs: Tadgh O’Toole, Brian Lord, John Murray, Mikey English. Dunlavin

Pat Dunne (Hollywood)

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