Despite being a man short Dunboyne for all of the second-half rallied to earn a draw in this engrossing SFC opener at Pairc Tailteann on Friday evening.

Dunboyne ....... 0-10
Skryne ......... 0-10

Conor O'Donoghue's men need a stoppage time point from wing-back Shane McEntee to reel in Skyrne. Moments earlier a Donal Lenihan effort trimmed the deficit to the minimum

There was still enough time for Dunboyne to win, but Craig Lowndes' goal attempt was smothered by a vigilant Skryne defence in the last action of the game.

Having done so well against the elements in the first-half, Skryne disappointed after the break, managing just three points despite numerical advantage. Poor options prevented them from adding more to their tally.

When Dunboyne sub David McEnttee pointed in the 47th minute, it was 0-8-each. The impressive Ciaran Lenehan started the move that led to the next score, a point for Darragh Campion who was prominent in the second-half for the team in royal blue jerseys. It was the third time the scores were tied up to that time.

Another Campion point earned Skryne a cushion against the late Dunboyne rally that levelled matters. The Tara-men posted five second-half wides while Dunboyne had two less.

With the wind in their sails, Dunboyne took the game towards the town goal and were rewarded with a Niall Jones point 27 seconds in.

The scores were tied twice in the opening 10 minutes before Skyrne hit the front from a Padraig Finnerty free.

Despite playing against the elements, Skryne extended their advantage over the course of the half with Finnerty leading the scoring charge.

Padraig Finnerty sent over four frees in the first-half before completing his pre-interval tally with one from play. That left it 0-6 to 0-2 after 24 minutes.

Dunboyne totalled six wides in the opening half while Skryne had just one.

Skryne had a goal chance in the 17th minute when Shane Smyth's effort hit the post.

Conor Doran pulled a point back for Dunboyne with last score of the half. Skryne led by 0-7 to 0-3 at the break. In first-half stoppage time, Dunboyne lost Liam Byrne to a straight red card following exchanges involving a number of players.

In the third quarter the men in black and amber outscored their opponents by 0-4 to 0-1 to level matters heading into the final quarter.

Scorers: Dunboyne - Shane McEntee, Donal Lenihan (1f) 0-2 each; Ronan Jones, Stuart Lowndes, Conor Doran, Cathal Lacey (f), Conor Bradley, David McEntee 0-1.

Skryne - Padraig Finnerty 0-6 (4fs);  Darragh Campion 0-2; Conor O'Brien, Mark Battersby 0-1 each.

Dunboyne -  Cian Flynn; Seamus Lavin, Gavin McCoy, Jack Scannell; Sean Ryan, Craig Lowndes, Shane McEntee; Jack Donnelly, Ronan Jones (C); Stuart Lowdnes, Conor Doran, Liam Byrne; Cathal Lacey, Conor Bradley, Donal Lenihan. Subs -  David McEntee for S Lowndes (ht), Jason Daly for Bradley (50), Bradley for D McEntee (55).

Skryne - Ian Gillett; Niall Lenehan, David Carroll, Eoghan Greene; Ciaran Lenehan, Paddy Fox, Shane Smyth; Harry Rooney, Stephen O'Brien; Tommy Carpenter, Padraig Finnerty, Darragh Campion; Conor O'Brien, Niall Finnerty, Mark Battersby. Subs - Michael Doherty for S O'Brien (5), Robbie Clarke for Greene (14), Oisin Keogh for Carpenter (45).

Referee - Cormac Reilly (St Mary's)

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