Five-star Dreadnots book shot at champs
THE one-sided nature of the Louth Senior Championship quarter-finals continued at The Grove on Sunday afternoon as the Dreadnots eased into the last four at the expense of Dundalk Gaels.
Although the Clogherhead men didn’t manage to put the game to bed until the final quarter, they were always in control of this contest and despite a battling display from the Dundalk side they always looked capable of raising their game when required.
In a clash where packed defences made it difficult for forwards to get space in front of the posts, it was the Dreadnots who possessed that little bit of class in the attack and their ability to find the net ensured they always had the upper hand.
That eye for goal was evident as early as 20 seconds after the throw-in as they cut through the Gaels defence, allowing Liam Shevlin to tee up Cathal Lynch to slip the ball into the bottom corner.
The Gaels managed to settle after that setback and responded with a Ger McSorley point, but the Dreadnots struck another blow when James Califf followed up a pointed free by fisting home a second goal after a Paraic Smith effort fell short, leaving his side 2-2 to 0-1 in front.
It was always going to be difficult for the Gaels given their defensive approach but they enjoyed a good share of possession and slowly worked their way back into the game. McSorley led the fightback with three further points while Eanna McArdle (2) and David Maloney also found the target to bring the gap back to 2-4 to 0-7 after 27 minutes.
It could have been even better but McSorley and McArdle saw efforts fall short and they were made pay when Cathal Lynch pointed at the other end before a mistake from Jamie Faulkner allowed Pauric Smith to hit the third goal and see his side lead by 3-5 to 0-7 at the break.
That left Niall Lambert’s side facing an uphill task at the start of the second half but to their credit they battled gamely but just couldn’t get the gap beyond five points and were unable to get close enough to threaten the goal they needed.
The Dreadnots appeared content to keep their opponents at arm’s length but always looked to have another gear when required. The finally found that level in the closing quarter as fine goal from the hard-working Liam Shevlin put his side 4-7 to 0-11 ahead on 49 minutes.
That effectively settled the issue and the Dreadnots eased home with Pauric Smith added the fifth goal five minutes from time. A miserable afternoon for the Gaels was completed when McSorley was given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow soon after.
DREADNOTS: Chris Mulroy; Aaron Scullion, Dermot Campbell, Derek Shevlin; Anthony Williams, Padraig Rath, David O’Brien; Liam Shevlin 1-0, Cian McEvoy; Pat Lynch, Pauric Smith 2-2, Cathal Lynch 1-1; Peter Kirwan 0-2, James Califf 1-2, Carl Monaghan 0-1. Subs: Darragh Shevlin for C Monaghan, Nathan Sutherland 0-1 for C Lynch, Ronan Califf for P Smith, Barry Mulroy for A Williams.
DUNDALK GAELS: Joe O’Donoghue; David McComish, Jamie Faulkner, Oisin Murray; Eamonn Kenny, Derek Crilly 0-1, Peter McGinnity; David Maloney 0-1, Niall Hearty; Ger McSorley 0-4, Jason Clarke 0-1, Errol Boyle; Eanna McArdle 0-2, Emmet Masterson, Sean Murray 0-1. Subs: Chris Sweeney for E Boyle, Gary Shevlin 0-1 for O Murray.