The mens 1st team lined out in Bremore Park on Sunday for what was set to be a vital matchup for them. Fingal Ravens travelled to Balbriggan in the hopes to further their flawless run in division 5 while the boys in green, who are currently second in the league, needed a good result. The game started off well for the home side with Arron Keenan slotting a remarkable point early on to show that they meant business. Ravens were quick to try and answer back with a score of their own but were kept at bay by O’Dwyers wave of defenders that saw some ferocious tackling by Josh Clarke and Dean Thompson.

Keeping possession was the name of the game for the hosts as they were not interested in forcing any shots as Ciarán Morrissey and John Clarke were orchestrating the play from the 45. O’Dwyers were almost rewarded as Cian Carroll was set on goal with a brilliant through ball but it wasn't to be for the number 5 as he couldn't gather it and ended up striking it just wide of the net. Fingal Ravens were not messing about with their transition play as they continued their attempts to break the defensive line, a great block from Jamie Andrews almost kept the home side clean but an unfortunate deflection gave the away attacker a free shot and they levelled up the score. Another away score from distance put the away side up as they seemed to be picking up momentum but an interception from Josh Clarke set the home side back on track as they won a free on the opposite end for Dean Thompson to slot over.

There was a lengthy back-and-forth period where both sides tried to solidify themselves in the opposition's half, this saw another point from Ravens and another 3 from Dean Thompson (2 frees). O’Dwyers kept serious pressure on the away kickout as there were 3 won by Dylan Andrews and Jamie Andrews, keeping the keeper under the spotlight. Down the other end there was more defensive excellence by both Tadhg Rooney and James Keenan winning the ball back and putting a stop to the away retaliation. O’Dwyers were spreading the visitors thin with consecutive switches of play and they were rewarded as Dylan Andrews danced through 2 defenders to add himself to the scoresheet. The visitors had a 1on1 opportunity late on in the first half but saw some heroics from James Keenan to come across and force it out for a 45, this led to a point for the away side to end the first half.

Half Time score: O’Dwyers 0-6 0-5 Fingal Ravens

O’Dwyers came out of half time with a point to prove as a couple of quickfire handpasses split the defence and enabled Micheál Jules to finish off a brilliant move with a score. Ravens were determined and kept the foot down an the attack, this eventually led to a man being left free 10 metres out, John Clarke rushed back to make the tackle and put it wide but the referee deemed it to be an illegal challenge and awarded the penalty. The spot-kick was converted, putting the away side ahead for the first time in over 25 minutes. It wasn’t long followed by a similar ball into the box from the away side but this time, goalkeeper James Foran was having none of it as he made a terrific save from point blank range. There was a lengthy stalemate period where Ravens enjoyed most of the possession and an array of handling mistakes was proving to make the home sides lives more difficult. A kicked free and another score from play from the visitors was making things look likely for the unbeaten side that their run would continue, but Cathal O’Rourke had other plans as be palmed off three defenders and took a score under pressure. Straight from the kickout the ball was won against the head and found John Clarke who punted a super point from outside the D, momentum now with O’Dwyers as they looked to make a last gasp dive for the line. With Ravens kicking another free, the score sat at 0-9 to 1-8 with less than a minute of regular time remaining. A high ball into Cathal O’Rouke looked to be palmed out of play by the defender but the O’Dwyers number 14 just about managed to keep it in and sets off goalwards, he drew the defender in and sent Padraic Kehoe 1on1 with the goalkeeper… He sends a handpass across the net as the substitute Jamie Lawlor comes steaming across the box and he fists it into the top corner. Bremore park erupts as the ball hits the back of the net and the referee blows the final whistle.

A hard fought victory against a very strong Fingal Ravens side for the lads who dug deep and played to the final whistle. Massive credit to all involved and a special thanks to everyone that went out to support the team.

Final Score:
O’Dwyers 1-9 1-8 Fingal Ravens

Scorers:

Aaron Keenan (0-1)

Dean Thompson (0-4)

Dylan Andrews (0-1)

Micheál Jules (0-1)

Cathal O’Rourke (0-1)

John Clarke (0-1)

Jamie Lawlor (1-0)