In the exciting finale of Meath SFC, Dunshaughlin overcame Wolfe Tones with a score of 2-7 to 1-8. As the clock marked the 52nd minute in Navan, Mathew Costello of Dunshaughlin handled a free in the defensive area of his team. His aim to find his nearest teammate and initiate an attack didn’t go as planned and unintentionally passed the ball to substitute player Cian Ward of Wolfe Tones. Even at 38, Ward showcased remarkable gameplay, capitalising on Costello’s slip, leading to Dunshaughlin’s net quivering.
The mishap facilitated Wolfe Tones in gaining a lead of 1-6 to 1-5, inching closer to their third Meath SFC championship. The first-time champions of 2021 further strengthened their position shortly after.
However, Costello remained unfazed by the whole ordeal. Despite experiencing personal tragedy in the form of his father’s death prior to Meath’s All-Ireland SFC match versus Louth, he showed immense grit and perseverance.
The climax of the gameplay had Costello sweeping a loose ball into the Wolfe Tones goalpost with a swift kick. He further increased Dunshaughlin’s score by hitting a challenging free in the blowing wind during stoppage-time, confirming a historic win for Dunshaughlin, their fourth Meath title.
Upon reflecting on the match and his misplaced pass, Costello said, “To be honest, with the year I’ve had, giving the ball away in our full-back line was the least of my worries. In such times, you absorb the shock and put your best foot forward again.”
His teammates were quick to reassure and motivate him, knowing their capacity to bounce back from the minor glitch. Costello’s inspiring performance led Dunshaughlin to their maiden championship victory in 22 years.
This is Dunshaughlin’s first title win since 2002, where current coach Richie Kealy, the champion with Meath from the 1999 All-Ireland tournament, played as a forward. Dunshaughlin, having completed a hat-trick that season, proceeded to win the Leinster club championship in 2002– the most recent Meath team to acchieve this distinction.
Now that Kilmacud Crokes, a previously dominant team, is no longer participating in this year’s Leinster competition, Dunshaughlin’s youthful squad, known for their endurance and agility, may have high hopes. They are set to play against Westmeath’s St Loman’s in a provincial start-off game in Navan the Sunday following next.
Closing the match with 1-2, Costello shared the top score with his fellow club and county mate Ruairí Kinsella who clinched the man of the match title. It’s a delightful double win of county championships for Dunshaughlin as their women’s team also secured a victory in their football championship.
With a scoreline of 1-3 to 0-0 at half-time, Kinsella’s eighth-minute goal set the teams apart. Although, Dunshaughlin, despite having the wind against them, missed seven wide shots. Wolfe Tones, on the other hand, were more focused with the aiding wind, thus managing to narrow the score gap, thanks to former Meath forward Sarán O Fionnagain scoring 0-3 and Ward’s excellent substitute performance.
However, Costello redeemed himself by sealing the match with a decisive second goal for Dunshaughlin.
The players for DUNSHAUGHLIN included: T O’Sullivan; A Kealy, J Rushe, B Duggan; C McCarrick, D McKenna, Niall Byrne; C O’Connor, C Gray; D Fildes, R Kinsella (1-2, 1f), M Costello (1-2, 2f); A Murphy, C Duke (0-1), L Mitchell (0-1, 1f). The substitutes were J McDonagh for Mitchell (h/t), F Blake (0-1) for McKenna (48 mins), F Hartigan for Fildes (56), Neil Byrne for Murphy (58), F Toolan for Duggan (63).
Original Text in British English: “WOLFE TONES: C O Gallachoir; S Glynn, D O’Neill (0-1), C Sheppard; S Penny, B Ó Fionnagain, N O’Reilly; A Callaghan, A O’Neill; A Crawford, O Martin, C Ward; T O’Reilly (0-4, 4f), F Ward, S O Fionnagain (0-3). Substitutes: C Ward (1-0) came in for Callaghan at the 45 minute mark, S Sheppard replaced Crawford after 52 minutes. The game was refereed by P Coyle of Curraha.”