CHAMPIONSHIP2016

Late Kerr strike edges Dowdallshill home against Tones

Goals at the start and finish from man of the match Eamonn Duffy and top scorer Daniel Kerr proved the difference for the Dundalk men as they set up a second round clash with Westerns in Stabannon on Saturday evening.

Duffy opened the scoring on three minutes when his long range effort sneaked in under the crossbar.

By half-time Dowdallshill had increased their lead to 1-5 to 0-3 with Kerr and Aidan McCabe each grabbing a brace and Paul Gill sending over the other ‘Hill point.

When Noel Finnegan converted a free early in the second half to put his side six ahead, it looked all over but the Tones hadn’t read the script and they eventually drew level with 10 minutes remaining thanks to a scrambled goal forced home by Martin.

Four points were then shared with another Finnegan free and a third Daniel Kerr point for the ‘Hill, and the tie seemed to be heading for a draw when a great run through the centre by Paul Gill ended with Kerr crashing the ball to the net from a very tight angle.

Five minutes of injury time were added and the Tones spurned chances to get back into the game again, but Dowdallshill just about held on for victory. DOWDALLSHILL: Robert Arthur; Damien Fanning, Justin Halley, Vincent Roe; Noel Finnegan 0-2, Paul Flynn, Sean Duffy; Eamonn Duffy 1-0, Gerry McShane; Darren Rogers, Sean McGuinness, Paul Gill 0-1; Daniel Kerr 1-3, Chris McMahon, Aidan McCabe 0-2. Subs: Dermot Smith for D Rogers, Graham Cairns for A McCabe, Anthony Quinn for C McMahon and Ridwan Bodunrin for N Finnegan.

WOLFE TONES: J. Lynch; J. McCormack 0-2, P. Fanning, K. Coillier 0-1; M. Mathews, G. Cooney, E. O’Shea; N. Smith 0-3, G, Lugoye, D. Weldon; A Fanning, K. Smith, C Eustace 0-2, G. Martin 1-0, J. Duffy.

REFEREE: Des McDonnell.