The DCU Intermediate Footballers made a shaky start to their Leinster championship campaign and found the going hard against Dundalk in St. Claires. The loss of so many players from the team that went as far as the Ireland Semi finals last year meant that there were a lot of new faces on show and the turn out was quite impressive and on the day just one piont was to separate the teams and that was from the boot of Fiontar student Padraig O Crouchuair. Dundalk made a good start and went a head early with their midfield ruling the roost. But their wastefulness and the acuracy of O' Crouchuairs free taking from the ground saw this lead eaten away and indeed he was to score seven pionts on the day.

The frustration of the first half and the numerous mistakes that were made in handling and distribution was more than an adequate spur for the players to up their game in the second half. In turn some good moves set up from the half back line of John O Reilly, Leo Ryan and Paddy Golden meant that for long periods DCU dominated. Maurice O Connell, Fergus Farrell and substitute Keith Hamilton also made telling contributions in the second half.

In the last few minutes DCU got a penalty as Ronan Ferry was bundled over in the box and upstepped O' Crouchuair from Ballinteer. You would have bet your house on him to score, after a very good game. And if Hacketts were just a bit closer to the pitch, it is a homeless man I'd be this evening. Low and to the left but outside the post was where he dispatched the shot. As the clock ran down Dundalk made a push for an equaliser and trojan work around the square by full-back Warren McDonagh and goalkeeper Paul McElroy could by delay the equalising goal.

Level with time almost up something special was called for and this came in the form of a left footed fifty yarder from DCU's man of the match Padraig O' Crouchuair. So on the day it was indeed a game of two halves one memorable for the mistakes the other for the drama, But both for sheer hardwork and the spirit of tough men who would not quit.

Our next outing is next Wednesday and if you are interested in playing intermediate or junior football please contact Tom O' Donnell on 01-7005055 or Micheal McCafferty on 0879601399. Training Monday at 6pm in St Claires.

Team:- Paul McElroy, Robbie Brennan, Warren McDonagh, Garreth Curley, Leo Ryan, John O'Reilly, Fergal Delaney, Padraig O'Crouchuair(0-6), Phil McCabe, Peter Ledwidge, Fergus Farrell, Eoin Waldron, Maurice O Connell(0-1), Shane Hynes, Niall Jones.

Substitutions:- Paddy Golden for Delaney, Ronan Ferry for Ledwidge, Gerry Hanley for Shane Hynes, Keith Hamilton(0-2) for Niall Jones.