Nobber shock Seneschalstown

LAST year’s beaten finalists and champions in 2009, Seneschalstown, went down to a shock Meath SFC defeat at Rathkenny last evening, promoted Nobber beating them 2-12 to 0-14.

The winners were inspired by county forward Brian Farrell as they gained a first win from three outings while Seneschalstown were losing for the second time and are in danger of not reaching the quarter-finals.

With county defender Kevin Reilly firing over two points, Navan O’Mahonys made it three wins from as many outings with a 0-14 to 0-7 victory over last year’s semi-finalists Rathkenny at Seneschalstown yesterday.

O’Mahonys, for whom recently returned Royals’ attacker Stephen Bray also showed up well, had the points safely in the bag when leading 0-7 to 0-1 at the break. Their opponents had been reduced to 14 after 22 minutes when James Macken was controversially sent off. Although Rathkenny came back, Navan comfort ably cruised to another win with young starlet Alan Forde hitting five points.

Dunboyne and Summerhill were other teams to make it three wins from three games. Dunboyne recovered to outpoint St Patrick’s 0-12 to 0-11 at Páirc Tailteann. Pat’s led 0-9 to 0-3 at the break with Barry Campbell and Donal Landy impressing in attack but Dunboyne battled back strongly with two points from Nigel Crawford crucial.

Summerhill ran out 0-14 to 1-5 winners over Oldcastle in Athboy. With Seanie Dalton putting over four points in the first half, they led 0-8 to 0-2 at the break.

Barney Rock got one over his former Dublin colleague Declan Sheehan as holders Skryne, who lost to St Pat’s in the opening round, got the better of Duleek/Bellewstown 1-16 to 0-15. After the sides were level on 0-7 each at the break, a goal from Paddy O’Rourke in the third quarter put Skryne clear despite again being without Trevor Giles.

Without county forward Cian Ward Wolfe Tones maintained their unbeaten record with a 2-6 to 1-9 draw with Blackhall Gaels at Trim on Saturday.