Michael Dunne's 1-4 had a major bearing on Dunboyne's win over Dunshaughlin in a closely contested hoganstand.com quarter-final at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday evenning.

Dunboyne  1-14
Dunshaughlin  0-13

Dunne struck for goal in the 29th minute, with team captain Donal Lenihan providing the assist, to make it 1-5 to 0-6. However, it was far from a done deal at that stage.

Dunshaughlin responded well to the concession of the goal with two Cathal O'Dwyer points (one free) to tie the scores for the fourth time.

One of Shane Comiskey's trio of points earned Conor O'Donoghue's men a slender interval advantage, 1-6 to 0-8.

Cathal Finn and Fergus Toolan

Dunshaughlin resumed on the front foot, and led by 0-11 to 1-6 after 37 minutes after John Crimmins posted one of the scores of the game.

Instead of giving Kit Henry's men the impetus to advance, Dunshaughlin, playing towards the town goal, were outscored by 0-8 to 0-2 in the time remaining.

Midway through the half, Ray Maloney cut in from the left but his goal attempt was parried at the expense of a 45 by Dunboyne 'keeper Johnny O'Connor. The resultant kick from a central position was sent wide by Ben Duggan.

Damien Sweeney with John Crimmins

Dunboyne led by a point, 1-9 to 0-11, heading into the final quarter when the setting sun heralded a softening of the breeze.

Michael Dunne doubled Dunboyne's advantage which they continued to augment. Lenihan's frees added to the leads. Dunboyne' top scorer completed his tally with a fine solo effort in the 56th minute.

Dunboyne controlled mattters impressively in final quarter snuffing out any chance of a Dunshaughlin score. It was left to sub David McEntee to complete their tally, in stoppage time.

Within 15 seconds of the throw-in Trevor Dowd put Dunshaughlin in front and his side went on to boss the opening 10 minutes despite playing into the breeze blowing from the old swimming pool end.

Donal Lenihan is tackled by Ben Duggan

A Donal Lenihan free levelled matters for Dunboyne. Dunshaughlin replied with three scores on the spin to lead by 0-4 to 0-1 after 10 minutes. Ray Maloney got the sequence going with a fine effort. Dowd's second score and a well-struck Ben Duggan free added to the tally.

The pendulum swung Dunboyne's way resulting in four scores on the spin to level matters for the second time by the 20th minute. Michael Dunne, Shane Comiskey, Ronan Jones registered for the team in green.

In the 22nd minute, Dunne's second point put Dunboyne in front for the first time. After Shane Comiskey's effort hit an upright and went wide, Maloney posted Dunshaughlin's first score in 16 minutes. It tied the scores at 0-5-each and levelled matters for the third time.

Man of the Match Michael Dunne with Caoimhin King

Fergus Toolan regained the lead for Dunshaughlin (in white and black) with the help of Cathal O'Dwyer in the 27th minute. Then came what proved to be the hour's defining moments that pointed Dunboyne towards a semi-final meeting with holders O'Mahonys.

Dunboyne - Johnny O'Connor; Jordan McLoughlin, Jack Scannell, Craig Lowndes; Colin Clarke, Cathal Finn, Conor Doran; Sean McGarrell, Shane McEntee; Ronan Jones (0-1), Donal Lenihan (C) (0-5fs), Gavin McCoy; Shane Comiskey (0-3) , Michael Dunne (1-4), Stephen Moran. Subs - Damien Sweeney for McLoughlin (13), Ben Carolan for Sweeney (39), David McEntee (0-1) for Lowndes (48), Ger Robinson for Dunne (58).

Dunshaughlin - Michael Ahern (C); Dan Ormsby, Alastair Doyle, Ferghal Delaney; Danny Quinn, Caoimhin King, Tadhg O Dushlaine; Niall Murphy, Ben Duggan (0-1f); Mark Devaney, Trevor Dowd (0-3), Ray Maloney (0-2); John Crimmins (0-1), Fergus Toolan (0-2), Cathal O'Dwyer (0-4, 3fs). Subs - Shane Gallogly for Devaney (43), Denis Kealy for Ormsby (48), Stephen Duffy for Delaney (58), Joe O'Brien for Toolan (60).

Referee - Joey Curley (Moynalty)

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