Mitchell fires Dunshaughlin into first Meath SFC final in 13 years

Dunshaughlin's John McDonagh with Craig Lowndes Dunshaughlin during the Meath SFC semi final at Pairc Tailteann

A Luke Mitchell injury-time free was the difference as Dunshaughlin advanced to their first Meath senior football championship final since 2011 at St Peters Dunboyne’s expense this afternoon. PHOTOS

It finished 0-11 to 0-10 at Pairc Tailteann, where an airtight contest saw the sides all square at half-time and three more times in the second period before Mitchell’s late strike settled the issue.

Donal Lenihan’s free helped Dunboyne to open up a 0-4 to 0-2 lead but the scores of Ruairi Kinsella (2) and Matthew Costello would help the victors level it up at 0-6 apiece come the interval.

Kinsella shot Dunshaughlin in front three minutes into the restart and Ben Duggan would double their lead ahead of a hat-trick of Lenihan frees. Kinsella and Aaron Murphy raised white flags in response but another placed ball from Lenihan had the scoreboard reading 0-10 to 0-10 heading into injury-time when Mitchell delivered the goods for his team.

In pursuit of their first SFC crown since 2002, Dunshaughlin now face Wolfe Tones in the Keegan Cup decider.

Dunshaughlin: Tim O'Sullivan, Niall Byrne, Daryll McKenna, Ben Duggan (0-1), Ciaran McCarrick, Jared Rushe, Adam Kealy, Charlie O'Connor, Conor Gray, David Fildes, Ruairi Kinsella (0-5), Conor Duke, Aaron Murphy (0-1), Mathew Costello (0-2), Luke Mitchell (0-2). Subs - John McDonagh, Fursey Blake, Fergus Toolan, Fiach Hartigan.

St Peter's: Liam Byrne, Jack Scannell, Seamus Lavin, Mark Furlong (0-1), Craig Lowndes, Shane McEntee, Sean Ryan, Jack Kinlough, Ronan Jones (0-1), Stuart Lowndes, Cathal Finn, Cathal Lacey (0-2), Michael Murphy, David McEntee, Donal Lenihan (0-6). Subs - Conor Doran, Cian Smith, Luke Carolan.

Referee David Gough