Dunboyne 1-10
Wolfe Tones 1-8

Dunboyne surprised Wolfe Tones in this Meath Farm Machinery SFC Group B opener at Skryne on Saturday evening having played out the final quarter with just 14-men.

Dunboyne - who lost heavily to the 'Tones in a quarter-final fixture last year - held a 1-8 to 1-5 advantage when midfielder Craig Berrigan was red-carded by referee David Coldrick in the 45th minute.

Superior work rate compensated for numerical disadvantage as Robbie Brennan's charges dug out a memorable success.

Wolfe Tones did manage to trim the deficit to the minimum by the 54th minute with points from Niall McLoughlin and Cian Ward.

The latter player didn't enjoy the best of hours but that score from out on the left was a peach of point. McLoughlin's preceeded it from the opposite wing and was equally impressive.

Cathal O'Bric's men passed up a couple of opportunities to regain parity and it was left to Dunboyne' corner-back Stephen McKenna to complete the scoring.

The teams were deadlocked four times in the opening half including at 1-5 each at the break.

Three unanswered points within seven minutes of the resumption earned Dunboyne an advantage they didn't cash in.

Ger Robinson and Stephen Moran (both frees) as well as Conor O'Donoghue registered for Dunboyne at the car-parking end of the ground.

Wolfe Tones struck a trio of wides in the same period and struggled to match Dunboyne's work-rate.

All of the losers' scores came from play with Darren McGrath (1-1) and Ward (0-2) their only players to register more than once.

Points from McGrath and Martin McNally got the 'Tones off to a bright start. By the 11th minute the sides were level thanks to Moran (free) and Gary Watters.

Then McGrath netted in the 12th minute following an exchange of passes with John Tiernan. Within 60 seconds the scores were tied again after Nigel Crawford goaled from a central position.

A brace of Robinson points (one free) had Dunboyne in front for the first time heading into the second quarter.

The 'Tones regained parity twice more before regaining the lead in the 26th minute with Ward's opening score with assitance from Tiernan.

A Moran free levelled matters for the fourth and final time before Dunboyne outscored Wolfe Tones by 0-5 to 0-3 after the change of ends to deservedly claim the points.

Dunboyne - J. O'Connor; S. McKenna (0-1), David Gallagher, G. Watters (0-1); C. Brennan, Denis Gallagher, G. Barry; C. Berrigan, G. Gallagher (0-1); G. Robinson (0-3, 2 fs), S. McGarrell, M. Reilly; S. Moran (0-3, fs), N. Crawford (1-0), C. O'Donoghue (0-1). Sub - D. Clarke for Reilly (50).

Wolfe Tones - S. Power; P. Caffrey, A. McKeown, S. Sheppard (0-1); B. McGinn, N. McLoughlin (0-1), M. Coleman (0-1); E. Harrington (0-1), A. Callaghan; A. Fox, C. Ward (0-2), P. Byrne; J. Tiernan, M. McNally (0-1), D. McGrath (1-1). Sub - G. Beggy for Tiernan (53).

Referee - D. Coldrick (Blackhall Gaels). Tweet

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