Dunshaughlin, Simonstown Gaels and St Colmcilles lock down Meath SFC knockout spots

MEATH SFC: Mathew Costello nailed a 60th minute matchwinning goal for Dunshaughlin. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile

With a game to go in the group stage of the Meath SFC, three of the eight quarter-final places have been locked down; Dunshaughlin, Simonstown Gaels and St Colmcilles already through.

Dunshaughlin's clash with holders Summerhill received top billing at Pairc Tailteann and didn't disappoint with Mathew Costello nailing a 60th minute matchwinning goal for the side normally in black and amber but wearing their change strip of red.

Costello's Meath colleague Conor Gray struck the other goal for Dunshaughlin who, managed by 1999 All-Ireland winner Richie Kealy, and with ex-Dublin star Paul Curran in the backroom, must now be classed as genuine title contenders.

The 2022 intermediate champions can't be caught at the head of Group A after their dramatic 2-12 to 2-10 Round 2 win over Summerhill for whom the Frayne brothers, Eoghan and Conor, struck 1-7 between them.

Summerhill can still retain the Keegan Cup but must beat Donaghmore-Ashbourne on September 7 in a straight shoot-out for second position behind Dunshaughlin to stay in the competition.

Summerhill manager Conor Gillespie will wonder quite how they let this one slip away.

They braved the strong wind to reach half-time on level terms with Dunshaughlin, 2-5 to 0-11, thanks to goals from Conor Frayne and Barry Dardis.

Dunshaughlin were then reduced to 14 players following a second yellow card for defender Fursey Blake in the 39th minute, allowing Summerhill to reach the hour mark leading by a point.

But Summerhill still couldn't grab the result they needed and were left to rue eight second-half wides and a couple of huge turnovers at midfield in the final quarter which yielded nought despite clear goal chances being presented.

In the earlier game at Pairc Tailteann, Dunboyne, managed by the former Middlesbrough soccer player Ger Robinson, made it back-to-back wins with a 0-11 to 0-7 defeat of Wolfe Tones.

It didn't provide the same drama as the later game but Dunboyne, now top of Group B, won't care with just a draw required from their Round 3 tie against Gaeil Colmcille on September 8 to advance.

In Group C, weekend wins for Simonstown Gaels and east Meath side St Colmcilles mean they are both through to the quarter-finals. Simonstown beat Seneschalstown 2-11 to 1-6 while Colmcilles, managed by former Munster and Ireland rugby player Niall Ronan, beat Na Fianna 1-9 to 0-7.

The two unbeaten teams will meet in Round 3 to decide who finishes top.

The most intriguing group of all is Group D with all four teams still capable of qualifying for the quarter-finals heading into the final round of group games.

Skryne, on three points, are top after drawing with Rathkenny 0-8 apiece while Ratoath and Trim are locked on two points behind them with Rathkenny in fourth on one point.

Skryne will meet Trim on September 8 while Rathkenny will take on Ratoath.