Wolfe Tones are the SFC winners for the second time with this narrow but deserved win over favourites Dunboyne at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday

Wolfe Tones ..... 1-9
Dunboyne ..........0-9

Michael McDermott's men made most of the running and were never led during the course of the hour  Shane Glynn collected the Colum Cromwell man-of-the-match award while corner-forward Saran O Fionnagain scooped top-scoring honours with 1-2.

His goal opened the scoring in the sixth minute and proved to be the difference between the sides on the scoreboard at the end. But, it was a panel effort while blanket defending in stoppage time prevented Conor O'Donoghue's side forcing extra-time.

Stephen Sheppard - who like Cian Ward played in his side's 2006 SFC success - created the opening the goal. Overall, it was Wolfe Tones team work that saw them prevail here.

It was Dunboyne's first defeat in a SFC final, having won on their three previous appearances. The Wilkinstown-Oristown-Kilberry club had lost two finals since their previous success in 2006, their maiden appearance.

Despite losing midfielder Padraic Diamond to a third-minute black card in the third minute, Wolfe Tones didn't panic. When he returned from his 10-minute absence the scores were tied at 1-0 to 0-3.

The sides were level at the first water break, 1-1 to 0-4. Diamond's first contribution in the second quarter was to place O Fionnagain for a point to give the 'Tones a lead they took to the podium.

Wolfe Tones sprung from the traps and almost pinched a goal inside 30 seconds. An off-the-ball foul led to a 13-metre free. Cian Ward tried to catch the Dunboyne off guard but his low shot went wide.

Wind assisted Wolfe Tones opened up in the second quarter. While keeping Dunboyne scoreless in this phase of the game. Back to their full compliment, Wolfe Tones posted four unanswered in the run-up to half-time.

The final score in that sequence was a magnificent effort from Diamond the left it 1-5 to 0-4 at the break.

Dunboyne doubled their tally within 10 minutes of the restart but the wind was easing. A magnificent Niall O'Reilly effort from an acute angle was significant in keeping Wolfe Tones ahead. The favourites were just two points behind, 0-8 to 1-7, heading into the final quarter.

Cian Ward and his younger brother Caolan landed frees to give their side a four-point cushion by the 59th minute. A Donal Lenihan free was all Dunboyne could muster in reply.

Scorers: Wolfe Tones - Saran O Fionnagain 1-2; Cian Ward (fs); Thomas O'Reilly 0-2 each; Caolan Ward (f),Padraic Diamond, Niall O'Reilly,

Dunboyne - Donal Lenihan 0-6(5fs); Stuart Lowndes, Conor Doran, Craig Lowndes 0-1 each.

Wolfe Tones - Cian Farnan; Robert White, Adam O'Neill, Conor Sheppard; Niall O'Reilly, Shane Glynn, Daniel O'Neill; Padraic Diamond, Alan Callaghan; Stephen Sheppard, Cian Ward, Thomas O'Reilly; Oisin O'Neill, Cian O'Neill, Saran O Fionnagain. Subs - Caolan Ward for Martin (46), Fiachra Ward for Martin (52), Brughach O Fionnagain for D O'Neill (57), Eanna O'Kelly Lynch for White (60 + 1).

Dunboyne - Cian Flynn; Seamus Lavin, Gavin McCoy, Jordan McLoughlin; Sean Ryan, Craig Lowndes, Shane McEntee; Jack Donnelly, Ronan Jones; Stuart Lowndes, Cathal Finn, Conor Doran; David McEntee, Conor Bradley, Donal Lenihan. Subs - Liam Byrne for Lavin (29), Cathal Lacey for Finn (ht), Michael Murphy for D McEntee (46),
Jack Scannell for Ryan (46), Niall Jones for Bradley (54),

Referee - Patrick Coyle (Curraha)

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