Walterstown 2-14 St Peter's Dunboyne 2-9

Walterstown made the short journey across the Boyne to face St Peters Dunboyne in the fourth round of the Championship in Bective.

The searing temperatures from earlier in the day had abated as both sides took to the pitch for the 6pm throw in. Walterstown had two enforced changes from their last round against Donaghmore Ashbourne, with Paul Donnellan replacing Brian O Connell and Peter Reynolds coming in for Mark McCormack.

It was a tentative start from both sides, and it was five minutes in before the first score was registered with a well taken point from Paul Donnellan. Walterstown were struggling to penetrate the tightly packed St Peters defence, and were invariably forced to shoot from distance, but this proved little obstacle to Paul Donnellan nor Alban Crosbie as they pointed a brace apiece inside the opening fifteen minutes in. Walterstown were growing in confidence and Aron McLoughlin and Barry O Connell pointed, while Paul Donnellan who was in outstanding form, brought his first half tally to four points as it edged towards half time. It was to unravel for the Blacks during the last five minutes of the first half as Peters grabbed the first goal of the game, and a trio of points to take the lead for the first time.

Half time Walterstown 0-9(9) St Peter's Dunboyne 1-7(10)

Walterstown’s Eoin O Mahoney had taken a knock in the first half and was replaced at the interval by Cormac Madden, with Aron McLoughlin moving back to fill Eoin’s position. Once again, the Blacks were sharp out of the blocks and Barry O Connell squared the game again inside the opening minute from a free. Adam Treanor then pounced for the blacks first goal and Walterstown retook the lead. From the restart however Peters went straight up the field and slotted the ball past John Davis. Walterstown defence began to regain their composure as the likes of Conor Farrelly and Cathal Hennelly began getting in telling blocks, and David and Peter Reynolds began to pull the strings, to such an extent that Dunboyne’s point six minutes into the second half would be their last. As Walterstown came more into the game Barry O Connell scored two more points to add to his total, as did Paul Donnellan and Alban Crosbie. Heading into the final stages Walterstown had a slender two-point advantage. However they were dominating the possession and their patience was rewarded late on with a well taken John Geoghegan goal that would seal the victory for Walterstown.

Walterstown manager Joe Treanor and selector Martin O Connell will have been delighted with the result and and with the determination displayed, as this should help the Blacks to progress from the group. Once again, happy supporters remained after the final whistle to show their appreciation as they applauded the team off the field.

Walterstown: John Davis, Eoin O Mahony (Cormac Madden), Cathal Hennelly, Colm Reilly, Peter Reynolds, David Reynolds, Colin McGrane, Alban Crosbie (0:03) , Conor O Sullivan, Aron McLoughlin (0:01), John Geoghegan (1:01), Adam Treanor (1:00), Conor Farrelly, Paul Donnellan (0:05), Barry O Connell (0:04(3f)). Subs: Cormac Madden for E O Mahony, Cathal McGuinness, Ciaran Murphy, Ruari O Dowd, Conor Lenehan, Kevin Devine.Ciaran Lydon, Joey Coogan, Mark McCormack

Dunboyne: S Melia, N Carolan, P Lavin, P Cagney, L Harte, C Clarke, D O Keeffe 0-1, B Mc Brien, F Watters 0-1, D Clarke 1-0, D Nolan 0-4, R Duggan, J Daly 1-1, S Mc Grath 0-2, and S Mc Garrell. Subs: S O Rourke for S Mc Grath, E Ryan for P Lavin, B Carolan for D O Keeffe (injured) and K Doyle for R Duggan

Referee: Liam Reddy

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