Round up: Faith restored

October 09, 2023

This young Summerhill supporter left Pairc Tailteann happy on Sunday

The general consenous as supporters left Pairc Tailteann yesterday after an absorbing SFC final was that faith had been restored in Meath club football over the past five days.

It all began in Dunganny on Wednesday night. In front of one of the biggest crowds seen at the Meath GAA Centre of Excellence Rathkenny/St. Marys and Summerhill served up a thriller on Pitch 2 in the MFC Division 3 final. It was the first of six games that extra time would be needed to sort a winner. Over on Pitch 1 a Ben Corkery inspired Clann na nGael defeated Round Towers in the MFC Division 4 decider.

After a break on Thursday supporters were back at it again on Friday. Eamon Ryan led Summerhill to their first piece of silverware with a two goal win over Wolfe Tones in the Premier 2 final. Out in Cortown Kilmainham and St. Ultans were serving up another thriller to see who would survive in the Junior A grade for 2024, with extra time needed again. In Skryne Killary Emmets minors put in their best performance of the year to beat a fancied Trim side and bring home the Liam Nolan Cup.

Pairc Tailteann was the place to be on Saturday. Slane turned on the style and two first half goals was enough for them to claim the Fintan Ginnity Cup. A youthful Kilbride, without star forward Josh Harford, showed that they will be a force to be reckoned with after they completed dominated a fancied Clann na nGael side and claim the Peter McDermott Cup.

If Wednesday’s MFC Division 3 final was billed as game of the year well the IFC final gave it a run for its money. Once again Rathkenny was involved. Duleek Bellewstown looked like winners early in the second half but after a brilliant last quarter from Donal Curtis’ men Duleek rallied to bring the game to extra time. Charlie Cullen's save from a second Alan Bowden penalty was crucial and the Mattie McDonnell Cup was heading home with the ‘Raths’. In Ashbourne the home side denied Dunboyne a clean sweep of Minor titles with 3-12 to 4-5 win in the Premier championship. The Moors were ten points in arrears at the break.

On to Sunday. Two early throw starts. Another extra time as Longwood condemned Dunderry to the Junior ranks with a 2-13 to 1-15 IFC relegation final win at Boardsmill. At the same time in Walterstown 13 time Keegan Cup winners Skryne retained their senior status with four points to spare over Moynalvey.

A quick cuppa and on to Pairc Tailteann. Up first was the minor final. The Cilles after their comfortable Division 1 league final win were favourites but Dunboyne had other ideas and a John Harkin point in the 20th minute of extra time saw the Delany Cup head back to St. Peters for the first time since 2014.

The fear was that the SFC decider would be similar to both semi-finals where defensive football held sway. As it transpired supporters were treated to a brilliant county final. Summerhill’s point taking in the first half was like a breath of fresh air. Ratoath struggled for long periods but typical of this great side they refused to be beaten and fought so hard for extra time. Yesterday was to be Summerhill’s day and those final losses over the pass six years were to put bed with a commanding display in extra time as Padhraig Geraghty raised the Keegan Cup to the delight of the ‘Hill’ supporters.

Results

Senior Football Championship Final

Summerhill 0-22 Ratoath 1-13 After Extra Time

Senior Football Championship Relegation Final

Skryne 1-12 Moynalvey 0-11

Intermediate Football Championship Final

Rathkenny 1-18 Duleek Bellewstown 2-14 After Extra Time

Intermediate Football Championship Relegation Final

Longwood 2-13 Dunderry 1-15 After Extra Time

Junior Football Championship Final

Kilbride 2-17 Clann na nGael 1-10

Junior Football Championship Relegation Final