Mathew Costello goes from villain to hero as Dunshaughlin land Meath SFC title

Dunshaughlin 2-07 Wolfe Tones 1-08

County star Mathew Costello both endured and enjoyed a remarkable final few minutes in Navan, coughing up a goal and then scoring one himself which clinched the Meath SFC title for Dunshaughlin.

In a dramatic conclusion to the storm battered Royal County senior decider, Costello held his head in his hands after kicking a free to Tones substitute Cian Ward who netted in the 52nd minute.

That goal put Kilberry outfit Tones a point ahead and they moved two clear shortly after.

With the stiff wind behind them, they must have fancied their chances of claiming a third title and their second since 2021.

But Costello then redeemed himself in spectacular fashion, firstly poking in a 60th minute goal which reclaimed the lead for Dunshaughlin and then converting a free which ultimately ensured the Richie Kealy managed side won by a two-point margin.

It is Dunshaughlin's fourth senior title having previously completed a three-in-a-row of wins between 2000 and 2002.

They won the Leinster championship in 2002, the last club from Meath to do so, and will return to the provincial scene when they face the Westmeath representatives, back in Navan, on 3 November.

Meath's Ruairi Kinsella scored Dunshaughlin's early goal, 1-02 in total and was crowned Man of the Match.

The gale force wind blew diagonally across the field and favoured Dunshaughlin initially.

Though whether it actually helped the Village was debatable given that they typically prefer to work the ball up the field through the lines.

What they found whenever they tried that strategy was a wall of purple jerseys already waiting for them and, all too often, Dunshaughlin's attacks came to nought.

Tones appeared to come armed with a defence-first plan, when