Many of the two thousand or so stalwarts who trudged from the GAA grounds in Aughrim, County Wicklow, last Sunday had that familiar drawn look about their faces that you associate with prisoners heading for the scaffold, observes An Fear Rua…

No wonder. They had just witnessed yet another draw in the ongoing, annual AIB Leinster Clubs’ Championship contests between the local club, Rathnew, and the currently two-in-a-row champions of Meath, Dunshaughlin. Last year, these two sides played out a three-match saga, that eventually saw Dunshaughlin squeeze through to the next round. Whether it was that saga alone, or its combination with winning Meath for the first time ever, the black-and-amber Dunshaughlin lads went out meekly enough to the Kildare champions, Moorefield, in the succeeding round.

This time, Dunshaughlin looked to be in the driving seat in the closing stages but a late comeback from the Wicklow men earned them a share of the spoils. The sides will do it all over again in Páirc Tailteann, in Navan, next Sunday at 2:15.

Many Dunshaughlin supporters must have felt at home in Rathnew when they saw the local hotel is named Lawlesses. After all, Lawlesses ‘Dublin House’ is one of the old-established hostelries in their village, currently sporting some excellent window displays in support of the club. As with last year, the Rathnew PA system – operated from a Hiace van (but not the one that chased Albert Reynolds around when he was nibbling at Charvet J Haughey’s bum!) – belted out those great favourites of Wickla’ GAA fans - Neil Diamond and the late John Denver's ‘Take me Home Country Roads’. The two teams warmed up on the pitch to a nice medley old-time waltzs, but they were dissuaded from a game of ‘Take Your Partners’.

The bloodcurdling Rathnew shout was ‘Up the Village!’ as they shook their green and red flags over the barbed wire but you would think Dunshaughlin were playing at home in Meath by the cheers each player got as the name was announced over the PA – after Neil and John had finished crooning, of course.

Rathnew were far faster out of the blocks and raced into an early lead with centre back and captain Trevor Doyle, who wore no 11, (He must have been watching ‘On Home Ground’) especially prominent. He raced forward, eventually scoring three points of his side’s total of ten. In the early stages, Rathnew were unlucky not score a goal as a shot blasted against the crossbar. Dunshaughlin selectors acted quickly and astutely to combat Doyle's influence by moving Meath panellist David Crimmins from full to centre forward and this had the desired effect. Crimmins registered two fine points. Dunshaughlin began to gain more possession and pressed home their advantage to go in leading at half time by 0-7 to 0-6. (Funny enough, a bit like one of those half-time scores from ‘On Home Ground’)

Second Half … and Rathnew had the slight wind as they played into the Clubhouse end: a fine well-appointed building. But, Dunshaughlin continued where they left off and registered three unanswered points as they went into a 0-10 to 0-6 lead. Rathnew’s shooting boots seemed to have deserted them as their forwards shot some long range wides as they tried in vain to get back into the game. The normally prolific Tommy Gill --the man who single-handedly beat Dublin in the O'Byrne Cup in January 2001 and was unlucky not to receive an All-Star nomination - was being well policed by Denis Kealy. Denis is one of the six members of the amazing Kealy clan on the Dunshaughlin panel).

Despite Dunshaughlin failing to convert three or four good chances to put the game out of their opponents reach and looking looked as if they would make into the last four, no-one could have expected what the last five minutes held. Rathnew suddenly came to life as they attempted to rescue the game. They shot four quick points to bring the game level… the last one coming from a free from the ice-cool Gill.

Dunshaughlin had a chance to win the tie but – uncharacteristically - a Richie Kealy a free narrowly wide to ensure a second meeting between the sides.

At this stage, there is more at stake than just who goes through to the next round. There will be a huge incentive for Rathnew to avail of their ‘breather’ and avenge last year’s ultimate defeat. For Dunshaughlin, although they have done the Meath two-in-a-row, there is a growing feeling that to really stamp their authority on the county, they need to bring home at least a Leinster Club title and – preferably – an All Ireland title next Saint Patrick’s Day.

After all, while ‘Sam’ is a familiar trophy around Meath these past few years – and not least in Dunshaughlin – the AIB Club trophy hasn’t yet crossed that county line just beyond the Kepak factory in Clonee …

Related Topics:
Meditations on a County Final...
‘Gev up da’ houl hurlin’ dere … an’ tog ouh’ with de fuhballers !!’.