Match Report - Meade Farm Group IFC Group D, Rd 2 Bective v Dunderry

Meade Farm Group IFC Group D, Rd 2 Bective v Dunderry

Bective went in to this must-win game versus Dunderry on a Trim pitch at its best on Sunday evening, with preparations having gone well the question was would it translate into bagging the two points. The team believed they were ready and had a full complement with injured players back in training and Donagh Garvey back from a work commitment abroad. Playing into a stiff breeze, Bective started with strong defending, holding out the Dunderry attack and breaking fast, the ball was carried into the Dunderry half but had to settle for a 45 after Sean Keating’s shot was blocked. A short kick did not produce a score and Bective had two wides from free kicks from tight angles to Dunderry’s one wide. Ciaran Reilly succumbed to a knee injury on 5 minutes and the experienced Ciaran Mc Connell came into the midfield. Marty Mulhall opened the scoring with a pointed free kick after Tristan O’Neill was hauled down. Con Smith fired over on 8 minutes and Finn Murray, raiding from half back, pointed from a difficult angle. Dunderry opened their tally with a pointed free kick and Mulhall replied with a point from play on 13 minutes and Dunderry pointed again. Bective were defending well and transitioning swiftly into attack, constantly pressurizing the Dunderry defence, from which Con Smith capitalised and fired over a 45m kick into the wind on 17 minutes and added a point from play on 19 minutes. Dunderry were gaining plenty of possession and pointed again and moments later delivered a quick ball in that was blasted to the back of the net to level the scoring at 6 points to 1 –03 on 20 minutes. Bective were gaining many turnovers and with tight defending cleared their lines with Declan McGuinness leading the charge, carrying the ball and releasing support runners Neil Dowdall, Mathew Cully and Murray to run at the Dunderry defence. Dunderry lost a man to a black card after Murray was blocked from making a supporting run and Smith, with a man of the match performance, pointed again on 25 minutes. Craig Roche intercepted deep in defence and in the move of the match released to Mulhall on the right wing who transferred to Garvey and on to the inrushing O’Neill who found the minimum of space to fire a great goal to the corner of the net on 28 minutes. Smith pointed again after a fine worked move involving Mulhall, Cully and O’Neill. Mulhall converted a further free kick from a tight angle on 30 minutes to complete the scoring of the first half.

Bective 1 –09,

Dunderry 1 – 03.

Bective, now wind assisted, and 6 points up knew they must manage the lead but keep the pressure on the Dunderry backs. Dunderry scored a long range point but Bective responded with a quick transfer down field where Cully found Sean Keating who pointed off the left boot on 4 minutes. Mark Dowdall came in to the backs. Mc Connell made a turn over in midfield for Cully to transfer to O’Neill and on to McGuinness who fisted forward for Keating to run on to and boot home to the left corner of the net on 7 minutes. Mulhall pointed a free kick on 10 minutes and again from play on 14 minutes. Kevin Brennan came into the Bective backs. Dunderry tried hard to get back into the match and introduced some young subs but, with a mountain to climb, they found it hard to match the Bective running and the well organised Bective backs snuffed out most threats. Dunderry needed goals and a ball off the post caused some concern but Mc Connell mopped up and passed out to safety. Luke Heneghan came into the Bective forwards and carried 60m, eventually finding

Smith for his 6th point on 19 minutes. Dunderry continued to press but couldn’t penetrate the Bective defence and had to be satisfied with 3 converted free kicks in the 24th, 25th and 30th minutes. Paul McCabe came into the Bective backs. Bective completed the scoring

with a pointed free kick from Mulhall on 36 minutes after Keating was hauled down. All Bective players contributed to a fine team display.

Bective 2 – 14,

Dunderry 1 – 07.

Bective now face Meath Hill on Sunday 27th and the winner to qualify for the quarterfinals.

Bective team: Scott O’Sullivan, Jack Grant, Ben Malone, Neil Dowdall, Donagh Garvey, Declan McGuinness, Jarlath Brennan, Finn Murray, Ciaran Reilly, Mathew Cully, Tristan O’Neill, Con Smith, Sean Keating, Marty Mulhall, Craig Roche.