Battle-lines take shape

The number of contenders for the Meath SFC title was reduced to nine following the final round of the group phase at the weekend — and 2011 champions Summerhill were among the big winners.

The kingpins of two years ago had a hard-earned 0-11 to 0-10 win over Donaghmore/Ashbourne at Páirc Tailteann on Friday night.

Andrew Tormey hit nine points, seven from play, but his side exited the title race as veteran Adrian Kenny’s third point from play, shot over in added time, proved decisive.

Rathkenny, hit by county midfielder Brian Meade’s cruciate ligament injury which will keep him out of action for about eight months, relinquished their unbeaten record when St Patrick’s defeated them 1-10 to 1-6 in Ashbourne.

However, the win by Pat’s was not enough to keep them in contention as they lost out to Summerhill in the head-to-head.

Skryne advanced with a runaway 2-20 to a 0-9 success over relegation-threatened Oldcastle at Simonstown. After being held to 0-6 apiece in the first-half, the 2010 winners took control with Kevin Mulvaney and Brian Davis netting the goals.

Defending champions Navan O’Mahonys are odds-on favourites to retain their grip on the Keegan Cup and their facile 4-21 to 1-6 victory over already out of contention Walterstown at Páirc Tailteann on Saturday night was no more than a training spin.

Three goals in a three-minute spell just before the break, from Jake Regan, David Bray and Shane Gillespie, left it 3-9 to 0-4 and to add to Walterstown’s misery, they had Christy Reynolds dismissed on a straight red card on 42 minutes.

In another mismatch, Seneschalstown, last champions in 2009, romped to a 5-14 to 0-8 win over Nobber at Carlanstown, while Moynalvey clinched a place in the knockout phase with a 2-13 to 1-6 victory over Duleek/Bellewstown at Ashbourne. William Harnan, son of former Royals’ ace Liam, netted both goals.

There was plenty of drama in the last of the group ties last night when promoted intermediate champions Na Fianna were the big winners with a 5-13 to 1-15 victory over Simonstown Gaels in a high-scoring encounter at Trim putting them into the last eight.

The Enfield – Baconstown outfit were in control throughout and led 4-8 to 0-5 at the break. Conor Downey fired two goals and Jamie Queeney, Dalton McDonagh and Dean Henrick also found the net.

Last year’s beaten finalists Wolfe Tones also advanced with a hard-earned 2-9 to 1-11 win over Dunboyne in Ashbourne, county player of the last few years, Eoghan Harrington, impressing for the victors.

Despite losing, Dunboyne were relieved to learn that they are still in the title race, going into a preliminary quarter-final against Summerhill

Meath SFC quarter-finals: Navan O’Mahonys v Summerhill or Dunboyne, Skryne v Wolfe Tones, Na Fianna v Moynalvey, Rathkenny v Seneschalstown.