MFC Div 1: Fine comeback gets Dunboyne off on a winning note
August 14, 2026
Dunboyne's Sean Delaney
St Peter’s…4.15
St Ultan’s/Cortown Gaels…2-14
Having lost out narrowly to long standing rivals St Colmcille’s in the Div. 1 MFL Final, the black and ambers will have justifiably high hopes of being right in the mix of contenders for the Delaney Cup a little further on down the road.
However, while a seven point victory in the opening round of any competition is not to be sneezed at, the winning margin cannot paper over the cracks which will have to be properly remedied if they are to get anywhere near their outright ambitions becoming reality.
With water breaks sensibly reintroduced to ensure the show is kept on the road and players are afforded every possible assistance in doing so, it was the Bohermeen side who very much had the better of things up to the time of the first stoppage.
By which time the exceptionally talented Conn Brennan et al had left the locals trailing by 0-01 to 0-07. Now, a Sean Delaney goal and point immediately at the beginning of the second quarter did spark the 2023 winners into life for a period but it was still those from the biggest parish in the country who held sway 1-04 to 1-11 when Andrew Smith indicated the halfway point had been reached.
However, whatever Ger Robinson, Michael Reilly and their fellow mentors had to impart at the break obviously stung a few nerves among their troops because, collectively, they emerged a different beast at the resumption and recorded a victory which seemed unlikely at best early on.
Midfielder Eoghan McDonald and corner forward Shea Mooney (two) raised further green flags while Charlie Gallagher and Sean Delaney – both of whom starred for the club’s senior team on their SFC debuts against Rathkenny last week – put that guile and experience to good use as the black and ambers completed a commendable turnaround their fortitude and bravery deserved.
Dunboyne scorers – S. Mooney (2-1), S. Delaney (1-3, 1x2PT), C. Gallagher (0-6, 3F, 1x2PTF), E. McDonald (1-2), T. Brennan, J. Mangan and C. Mangan (0-1 each).
St Peter’s – A. Donnelly; C. Murphy, R. Monaghan, S. Coone; T. Hanway, N. Whitton, A. Norman; E. McDonald, C. Gallagher; R. Callanan, S. Delaney, A. Lonergan; S. Mooney, T. Brennan, J. Mangan.
Sub – C. Mangan for Hanway (HT).
Referee – Andrew Smith (Dunshaughlin/Royal Gaels)
