Tony McDonnell Sparks Dundalk Gaels Comeback to defeat Roche

Anchor Tours SFC Group 4 Round 1

From Fr McEvoy Park, Cooley

Dundalk Gaels 1-17 Roche Emmets 1-15

Louth U20 star Tony McDonnell proved the difference-maker off the bench, turning the game in Dundalk Gaels’ favour as they edged past Roche Emmets at Fr McEvoy Park in Cooley on Sunday afternoon.

James McDonnell (Roche Emmets) is pressured by Sean Murray (Dundalk Gaels)

Roche Emmets made an excellent start, showing plenty of intensity without possession and composure when they had the ball. Jordan Keating opened the scoring before David Quigley and James McDonnell responded for Gaels. Shane Byrne then found the net to put Roche 1-2 to 0-1 ahead after 10 minutes.

Diarmuid ‘DD’ Reilly converted a two-point free before Barry O’Hare and Liam Dawe added scores for Roche, with Gerard McSorley responding with two of his own. Roche continued to hold the upper hand, leading 1-6 to 0-3 after 20 minutes.

McSorley looked particularly sharp on his return and produced a brilliant two-pointer shortly afterwards, while Reilly continued to punish Gaels with his accuracy from placed balls. Two further two-point frees from the Roche man, left Roche six ahead at the interval.

Half-time: Dundalk Gaels 0-7, Roche Emmets 1-10.

Gaels’ task became even more difficult early in the second half when talisman Dylan McKeown was shown a red card following an incident near the N-line. Roche extended their advantage through Daire Reilly and appeared firmly in control.

Michael Quinlivan made a huge impact on today’s game

Sean McCann then turned to his bench, introducing former All-Star and Munster Championship winner with Tipperary Michael Quinlivan alongside McDonnell. The substitutions proved decisive.

Tony McDonnell immediately made his presence felt with a two-pointer before Quinlivan carved out an excellent individual score. McDonnell continued to dictate the tempo, adding another score as Gaels began to claw their way back into contention.

With 10 minutes remaining, Thomas O’Connell and McSorley added scores as the Gaels finally drew level. Cain Bromley then produced the pivotal moment, pouncing on a loose ball and calmly finishing to the net to put Dundalk Gaels three clear.

McDonnell added another point, followed by a composed effort from Shaun Duffy, as Roche struggled to regain the momentum they had enjoyed earlier in the afternoon.

James O’Connell (Dundalk Gaels) contest a ball with Barry O’Hare (Roche Emmets)

Barry O’Hare and O’Connell traded scores before James O’Connell received a black card for Gaels. Reilly took advantage once again, landing another two-point free to keep Roche within touching distance.

Roche pushed for a late equaliser, with substitute Evin Quigley doing brilliantly to win possession from a hopeful ball forward, although his resulting effort narrowly missed the target.

Dundalk Gaels ultimately held on for a hard-earned victory, but they will know there is plenty to improve on ahead of next weekend’s meeting with St Patrick’s.

Full-time: Dundalk Gaels 1-17, Roche Emmets 1-15

Man of the Match – Tony McDonnell (Dundalk Gaels)

0-4 off the bench for Tony McDonnell but overall Dundalk Gaels play completely changed when he was introduced. Made the difference to get his side the win.

Dundalk Gaels team: Aaron Culligan; Kyle Rafferty James O’Connell, Alan Jumbo; Luke Murray, Padraic Tinnelly, Shaun Duffy (0-1); James Stewart, Sean Murray; Jordan Keating (0-1), Gary Shevlin, Jack Mullen; Gerard McSorley (0-5, 1tp), Thomas O’Connell (0-3, 1’45’), Dylan McKeown (0-2, 2f).

Subs: Cain Bromley (1-0) for Gary Shevlin (16 Mins), James Lynch for Alan Jumbo (half-time), Michael Quinlivan (0-1) for Jordan Keating (40 Mins), Tony McDonnell (0-4, 1tp) for Jack Mullen (42 Mins), Liam O’Connor for Cain Bromley (53 Mins).

Roche Emmets team: Senan Connolly; Dermot Carthy, Aidan Grant, Marc Murphy; Sean Dawe, David Quigley (0-1), Gerard Browne; Ryan Rice Martin, Liam Dawe (0-1); James McDonnell (0-1), Diarmuid (DD) Reilly (0-8, 4x2pf), Fionn Connolly; Daire Reilly (0-1), Barry O’Hare (0-2), Shane Byrne (1-0).

Subs: Mark Byrne for Marc Murphy (46 Mins), Alex McArdle for Daire Reilly (53 Mins), Evin Quigley (0-1) for David Quigley (56 Mins).

Referee – Colm McCullough (Naomh Fionnbarra)

Photos – Ciaran Culligan