Kilmessan 3-15 Dunboyne 1-10 Anton O'Neill scored 3-1 as Kilmessan easily outscored Dunboyne in the first M Donnelly SHC semi-final at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday afternoon to secure a final meeting with Kildalkey. Kilmessan, who lost to Kiltale in last year's final, comfortably secured a return ticket to the decider when finishing with eleven points to spare over a Dunboyne side who were unable to seriously test superior opponents. O'Neill first goal arrived seven minutes in with Stephen Clynch and Malcolm Doyle providing the assistance and left it 1-1 to 0-1 and last year's runners-up were never subsequently reeled in. Points from play by John and team captain Barry Watters cut the margin to the minimum, 1-1 to 0-3, by the 11 minute. Kilmessan then outscored Dunboyne by 1-6 to 0-1 in a ten-minute spell. Nicky Horan (two frees), Peter Farrell, Kevin and Joey Keena all pointed before O'Neill drove home his second goal at the town end while Malcolm Doyle raised a while flag to make it 2-7 to 0-4, 23 minutes in. A Neil Hackett pointed free was Dunboyne's only reply in this spell and the number 12 landed a similar score before Kilmessan finished the half with points from play from Nicky Horan and Anton O'Neill to leave it 2-9 to 0-5 at the break. A good block by Dunboyne full-back Michael Dunne prevented Ger O'Neill from getting in for another goal while the sides ended the half with five wides apiece. Dunne prevented Doyle from adding to to Kilmessan's goal tally within minutes of the restart before an excellent Ger O'Neill point restored the interval advantage. When Hackett rifled a 20-metre free to the net the gap was down to seven points, 1-6 to 2-10, by the 36th minute before Dunboyne lost corner-back Damien Buggle with a shoulder injury. That was a good as it got for Enda McManus' side as Kilmessan resasserted themselves with centre back Stephen Clynch pointing from his own 65-metre line. Martin Curran's men outscored Dunboyne by 1-2 to 0-1 in the final ten minutes with Anton O'Neill getting his third goal after Peter Reynolds effort was block by Dunboyne 'keeper Sean Reilly. Meanwhile, Kildalkey finished with five unanswered points to dethrone Kiltale by 1-14 to 1-8 in the second 'semi' clash. Kilmessan - M. Brennan; P. McGovern, D. Donnelly, R. Donnelly; M. Horan, S. Clynch (0-1), M. Reilly; G. O'Neill (0-3), P. Farrell (0-1); N. Horan (0-4, 2 frees, 1 65), P. Reynolds, J. Keena (0-1); M. Doyle (0-1), A. O'Neill (3-1), K. Keena (0-3). Subs - V. Reilly for McGovern, C. Keena for Doyle (both 50 mins), K. Reilly for K. Keena (58 mins). Dunboyne - S. Reilly; Sean Moran, M. Dunne, D. Buggle; P. Coone, P. Fagan, C. O'Shea; N. Watters, P. Gannon; J. Watters (0-1), N. Reilly, N. Hackett (1-5, 1-4 frees); G. Watters, B. Watters (0-2), Stephen Moran (0-2). Subs - D. Moran for G. Watters, Shane Moran for Buggle (40 mins), G. Murphy for O'Shea (41 mins), N. Smith for B. Watters (54 mins). Referee - G. Kelly (O'Mahonys). Tweet

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