Holders Skryne beat Dunboyne but fail to reach quarter-finals

HOLDERS Skryne failed to make it through to the last eight of the Meath SFC despite defeating already qualified Dunboyne by 0-13 to 0-7 at Navan’s Páirc Tailteann on Saturday evening.

With Dunboyne topping the five-team Group C, Skryne lost out to Walterstown, who advanced with a 2-12 to 0-10 victory over Duleek/Bellewstown at Dunshaughlin. Walterstown completed a fine recovery after looking relegation contenders when losing their first two games.

Skryne were left to regret a missed penalty after 55 minutes with Paddy O’Rourke’s spot kick kept out by former Meath and Ireland International Rules goalie David Gallagher, who moved there from his full-back berth, having earlier kicked two 45s and a long-range free between the posts.

Although Trevor Giles returned after injury, Skryne, managed by former Dublin forward Barney Rock, were left to regret two defeats earlier in the campaign as the bid for a two in-a-row came to an end.

Walterstown, with veteran Mick O’Brien (brother of former Royals’ boss Eamonn) who coached Meath to a league triumph back in 1975 in charge, were boosted by first-half goals from Alban Crosbie and Michael Clarke.

Seneschalstown, beaten finalists last year and champions in 2009, also failed to make it through to the quarter-finals as Donaghmore/Ashbourne sent them tumbling to a third Group B defeat on a 1-13 to 0-13 scoreline at Páirc Tailteann yesterday.

After leading by 0-8 to 1-3 at the break, Seneschalstown lost the initiative in the second period with Joe Sheridan having a quiet outing.

Meath defender Bryan Menton returned after injury to show up well for Donaghmore/Ashbourne for whom Eoin Reilly scored five points.

Championship favourites Navan O’Mahonys produced a impressive display to trounce Dunshaughlin by 3-14 to 0-8 at Dunsany yesterday. Although both sides were already through to the last eight, O’Mahonys were not content to go through the motions with county players Kevin Reilly, Stephen Bray and Gary O’Brien prominent in the success.

After a close opening period which finished with the board reading 1-6 to 0-7 at the break, Alan Forde netting the first goal, the Navan side took emphatic control with Darragh Smyth and wing-back O’Brien adding further goals.

Cian Ward was the goalscorer in Wolfe Tones’ 1-9 to 0-5 win over Summerhill in a poor second game at Páirc Tailteann to finish top of Group A.

Summerhill also advance along with Simonstown Gaels, who gained a 1-8 to 0-11 draw with Oldcastle at Kells with county captain Seamus Kenny getting the goal.

* Quarter-final pairings: Wolfe Tones v Walterstown, Navan O’Mahonys v Summerhill, Dunboyne v Donaghmore/Ashbourne, Simonstown Gaels v Dunshaughlin.