Late Sean Dawe Goal Seals Roche’s Senior Survival

Anchor Tours SFC Relegation Playoff Semi-Final

At Cullen Autoparts Louth GAA Training Centre, Darver

Roche Emmets 1-20 Hunterstown Rovers 2-14

Roche Emmets secured their Senior Championship status for another year after an extraordinary 1-20 to 2-14 extra-time victory over Hunterstown Rovers in the Anchor Tours SFC Relegation Playoff Semi-Final at the Cullen Autoparts Louth GAA Training Centre, Darver on Saturday afternoon.

In a contest that required extra-time, Roche twice looked to be heading for defeat before producing remarkable late fightbacks, eventually completing the turnaround in dramatic fashion.

The opening half was a cagey affair, with both sides struggling to find their rhythm. Ryan Ward opened the scoring inside two minutes for Hunterstown, but Roche had to wait until the 15th minute for their first score, Liam Dawe getting them off the mark.

AERIAL DUAL | Ryan Rice Martin (Roche) and Jason Monaghan (Hunterstown Rovers)

Colm Murphy and Ward added further scores for Hunterstown, while Daire Reilly responded with two points for Roche, including a free. Ward’s late free ensured Hunterstown took a narrow 0-4 to 0-3 lead into the break.

Hunterstown immediately increased their advantage after the restart through Micheal Reid, before D.D. Reilly replied for Roche. Ciaran Russell then pointed for Hunterstown before the game swung dramatically in their favour.

Ward found the net in the 35th minute before Aaron Levins struck another major just two minutes later. Suddenly Hunterstown were in complete control, leading 2-6 to 0-4 with just over 20 minutes remaining.

Roche, however, refused to surrender.

Mark Byrne and Ryan Rice Martin, who landed a superb two-pointer, began the recovery before Byrne and Shane Byrne added further scores. Ward replied for Hunterstown, but Roche had reduced the deficit to four with 10 minutes remaining.

Ward and Russell extended the Hunterstown lead, but Roche then produced a stunning late surge.

Substitute Cathal Corcoran landed an excellent two-pointer in the 60th minute to bring Roche within three. D.D. Reilly followed with a free before Daire Reilly produced another superb two-pointer in the 62nd minute, sending the game to extra-time.

Full Time – Roche Emmets 0-15 Hunterstown Rovers 2-9

Extra-time brought another twist.

Ciaran Russell (Hunterstown Rovers) and Gerard Browne (Roche Emmets)

Liam Dawe put Roche ahead before Ward and Russell responded for Hunterstown. Ward then converted a two-point free before Dean Burns added another point, leaving Hunterstown ahead 2-14 to 0-16 at the interval of extra-time.

Roche were once again staring into the abyss.

But they somehow produced one final comeback.

D.D. Reilly converted a free before Dawe added another point, setting the stage for the decisive moment.

On the 78th minute, Sean Dawe found the net to send Roche ahead and spark wild scenes in Darver.

With Hunterstown now desperately chasing an equaliser, the experienced Barry O’Hare calmly added two further points to secure Roche’s victory and, most importantly, their Senior Championship status for another year.

Roche survive, Hunterstown now face the loser of Naomh Mairtin and Dreadnots.

Full Time After Extra-Time – Roche Emmets 1-20 Hunterstown Rovers 2-14.

Man of the Match – Ryan Ward (Hunterstown Rovers)

Roche Emmets team: Senon Connolly; Dermot Carthy, Aidan Grant, Gerard Browne; Fionn Connolly, David Quigley, James McDonnell; Ryan Rice Martin (0-2, 1tp), Liam Dawe (0-3); Sean Dawe (1-0), Shane Byrne (0-1), Diarmuid (DD) Reilly (0-4, 3f); Mark Byrne (0-2), Barry O’Hare (0-2), Daire Reilly (0-4, 1tp, 1f).

Subs: Evin Quigley for Barry O’Hare 47 mins, Cathal Corcoran (0-2, 1tp) for Sean Dawe 49 mins, Andrew McArdle for Ryan Rice Martin 58 mins, Mark Murphy for Fionn Connolly ET 69 mins, Sean Dawe for Aidan Grant ET HT, Barry O’Hare for Shane Byrne ET 75 mins.

Hunterstown Rovers team: Donovan Sheridan; Euan Woodlock, Patrick Taaffe, Daithi Carroll; Colm Murphy (0-1), Micheal Reid (0-1), James Rogers; Jason Monaghan, Cillian Taaffe; James Russell, Ciaran Russell (0-3), Tony McKenna; Dean Burns (0-1), Ryan Ward (1-8, 1tpf, 4f), Aaron Levins (1-0).

Subs: Shane Halpenny for Aaron Levins 41 mins, Sam Scott for James Russell ET 77 mins.

Referee: Stephen Devlin (St Josephs)

Photos: Ciaran Culligan

Liam Dawe (Roche Emmets) and Daithi Carroll (Hunterstown Rovers)