Donal Curtis' goal was central to Rathkenny's surprise hoganstand.com SFC Group B win over Summerhill at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday afternoon.

Ratkenny.... 1-13
Summerhill.... 0-15

The two-time All-Ireland SFC medal winner's well-taken goal at the town end midway through the second-half left Rathkenny 1-11 to 0-11 to the good. It was the second win in as many SFC outings for Des Lane's men.

Owen Elliott and Brian Meade were involved in the build-up before Curtis finished expertly with a low shot to give Rathkenny a lead they maintained to the end.

When Elliott pointed from out on the left it was 1-12 to 0-12 after 53 minutes.

Rathkenny 'keeper John Martin saved well in the later stages from Sean Dalton (his effort was turned over for a point) and Barry Dardis to prevent Summerhill from picking up their first points of the campaign.

Rathkenny built on their opening round win over Oldcastle by again not conceding a goal. Another such score in each of their outings to date would have been enough to see Summerhill on full points.

Things looked difficult for Summerhill when they were on level terms with Rathkenny at the break having played with the elements in the opening half.

Playing with the wind, Summerhill hit six second-half wides to their opponents two and found it difficult to break down a tenacious Rathkenny rearguard.

Points from Jack Gore (free) and Brian Lenehan (for which Curtis provided an excellent assist) moved Rathkenny 0-11 to 0-9 clear within three minutes of the resumption.

Adrian Kenny and David Larkin helped Summerhill parity at 0-11 all by the 41st minute. It was the fourth and final time the scores were tied as Curtis' goal followed soon after.

Backed by the customary wind blowing into the town goal, Summerhill (who lost to Skryne first time out) were first to show with three points from as many different players inside five minutes.

Brian Ennis (free), Sean Dalton and Barry Dardis (45) got those early scores. Nearly ten minutes passed before Brian Lenehan erased Rathkenny's blank off the board from a free.

When corner-back Willie Ryan pointed Summerhill were 0-4 to 0-1 clear after 10 minutes. They passed up on three goal chances in the opening quarter with Dardis, Adrian Kenny and David Larkin failing to convert.

Rathkenny's best goal chance fell to Donal Curtis but his effort was turned over for a point by the outstretched boot of Summerhill 'keeper Tony McDonnell for the north Meath side's third score.

It came in the middle of a profitable spell for Des Lane's men who - despite playing against the elements - gained parity for the first time in the 20th minute at 0-5 each.

Summerhill responded to got two points clear on as many occasions. Rathkenny rallied and levelled matters for the third time in the last action of the half through Jack Gore. It was 0-9 each at the break.

Rathkenny - John Martin; Joe Gore, James Macken, Ronan Martin; Donal Keogan, Tommy McKeever, Ross Gore; Brian Meade (0-1), Ronan Curtis; Brian Lenehan (0-5, 3fs), Ivan Lenehan, Jack Gore (0-3, 2fs); Donal Curtis (1-2), Stephen McCabe (0-1), Owen Elliott (0-1). Subs - Christy Meade for R Martin (39), Barry Carolan for McCabe (59).

Summerhill - Tony McDonnell; Michael Gorman, Caolan Young, Willie Ryan (0-1); Stephen Husband, Alan Lyons, Davy Dalton; Micheal Byrne (0-1 f), Conor Gillespie; Paul Rispin (0-2), David Larkin (0-2), Adrian Kenny (0-2); Barry Dardis (0-1 45), Brian Ennis (0-2 fs), Sean Dalton (0-3). Sub - Damien Byrne (0-1) for Rispin (45).

Referee - Cormac Reilly (St Mary's) Tweet

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