SFC Group D: Dunboyne serve notice
September 12, 2021
Dunboyne's Jordan McLoughlin keeps a firm grip on the ball as Conor Frayne Summerhill closes in during the Meath SFC game at Pairc Tailteann
Dunboyne served notice of their potential when comfortably seeing off Summerhill in this finale to the round robin stage at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday evening.
Dunboyne .......... 1-13
Summerhilll ......... 0-6
Superior in fitness, mobility and strength, Dunboyne never looked like losing, even after shooting six first-half wides to Summerhill's two.
The result puts Dunboyne at the summit of the final group table, consigning Summerhill to second place. Both sides advance to the business end but Conor O'Donoghue's men appear best placed to make an impression in the knockout stage.
Overall, there was little to capture public attention. Maybe the fact that Summerhill were through to the business end and only a mathematical miracle would deprive Dunboyne had something to do with the low key atmosphere.
Team captain Ronan Jones gave an exemplary display at for Dunboyne at midfield where Jack Donnelly was also prominent.
Dunboyne's tally - modest by some scorelines - was shared among eight players. Cathal Lacey's 56th minute goal made him his side's top scorer from play, marginally ahead of Donnelly.
Ahead by 0-8 to 0-4 at the break, Dunboyne gradually put distance between themselves and the 'Hill as the second-half wore on.
Padraig Geraghty's point left Summerhill just four points, 0-5 to 0-9, off the pace with 38 minutes gone. Dunboyne outscored their opponents by 1-4 to 0-1 from there to the end. Summerhill wng-back Adam McDonnell closed the scoring in stoppage time.
The first-half was far from enthralling. Dunboyne made most of the running in the opening 30 minutes. They also had clocked up six wides in that phase to Summerhill's two.
David Larkin's second minute point was the only time Dunboyne trailed. Donal Lenihan posted five points (four frees) in the first-half.
Summerhill trailed by four points (0-2 to 0-6) at the first water break.They matched Dunboyne on the scoreboard over the remainder of the half.
Scorers: Dunboyne - Donal Lenihan 0-6 (5fs); Cathal Lacey 1-0; Jack Donnelly 0-2; Shane McEntee, Ronan Jones, Michael Murphy, David McEntee, Seamus Lavin 0-1 each.
Summerhill - Eoghan Frayne 0-2 (fs); Padraig Geraghty, Adam McDonnell, David Larkin, Conor Lyons 0-1 each.
Dunboyne - Cian Flynn; Seamus Lavin, Gavin McGoy, Jordan McLoughlin; Sean Ryan, Craig Lowndes, Shane McEntee; Jack Donnelly, Ronan Jones (C); Stuart Lowndes, Michael Murphy, Conor Doran; Cathal Lacey, David McEntee, Donal Lenihan. Subs - Conor Bradley for Murphy (47), Liam Byrne for McLoughlin (55), Niall Jones for S Lowndes (55), Fergal Watters for Donnelly (59).
Summerhill - Tony McDonnell; Padraig Geraghty, Diarmuid McCabe, Padraig Jennings; Adam McDonnell, Willie Ryan, John Lavelle; Micheal Byrne, Ross Ryan; David Larkin, Paul Larkin, Conor Lyons; Conor Frayne, David Dalton, Eoghan Frayne.Subs - Liam Shaw for Lyons (39), Kevin Ryan for Dalton (43), Jamie O'Shea for C Frayne (43), Caolan Young for Byrne (48).
Referee - David Coldrick (Blackhall Gaels)
