St Peters Dunboyne 2-14
Drumconrath 2-8

Drumconrath lost their 100% record and the chance to secure 5 Championship wins in a row for the 1st time since the heady heights of 2006 in this disappointing display at Head Quarters.

Dunboyne who where also assured of a top 3 spot before the game as both these teams along with the winner of the Clonard v OMahonys game would quailify.

It was felt Dunboyne who only drew with Dunsany in round 4 would need a good start to gain confidence and they had the aid of the strong breeze playing into the OMahonys end in the 1st half but it was the Reds who got away to a flyer as Brendan Lyons was hauled down after 3 minutes and Alan Byrne put the resultant spot kick away.

Things where always going to be difficult as the wind had a factor but Dunboynes greater physical strength around the middle ensured they had plenty of possession and with half forward Shane Cumiskey and wing back Jordan McLaughlin in great form this ensured a steady stream of attacks for the Dublin border side so much so that the out scored Drums 12 to 3 for the rest of the half.

By the 9th minute they had taken the lead with bustling full forward Michael Dunne causing problems and while Drumconrath where fairly economical with chances having just 2 wides in that half, Alan Byrne shot over to level the game after 10 minutes. Cumiskey was having a fine game and 2 points from him put Dunboyne ahead and while Lyons pulled one back after 18 minutes a well struck David McEntee 45 seemed to lift the Black and Amber.

McEntee again and McLaughlins 1st edged Dunboyne further ahead and while Byrne pointed after 26minutes to leave just 2 points in it 0-8 to 1-3, Drumconrath's under pressure defence could do nothing to stop the late onslaught as Duboyne added 4 more points with the rampant McLaughlin hitting 2 from the stand side of the pitch to give them a 0-12 to 1-3 half time lead.

Drumconrath introduced Peter McEvoy and he added a bit of height around the middle while Jamie Myles was switched onto Cumiskey in an effort to curtail the Meath minor.

Drumconrath raised their game and two Byrne frees narrowed the gap but McLaughlin sallied forward again to get his 4th at a vital stage to ease the pressure.

Stephan Crosby hit a fine point soon after but there then came a break in the scoring for the next 15 minutes as Drumconrath had ample possesion but Dunboyne defended well as Drums wide tally rose to 9 in total.

Myles and Byrne cut the gap to 2 points with 8 minutes to go and the game was there to be won but a fine Cumiskey point on 57 to lift the siege again as substitute Andrew Creevey who had earlier pulled a shot badly wide when a goal was on found the Drumconrath net just on the hour to seal the game.

An injury time penalty from Dunne put 9 points between the sides and while Christy Tighe netted with the last kick of the game the game was over at that stage.

Drumconrath must pick themselves up as while they still topped the group this result will be a cause for concern. John Lynch was the pick of an overworked defense while Aiden Tighe battled hard with Dunne and did limit him as the game went on.

Stephan Crosby as usual tried his heart out while up front Alan Byrne got best support from Brendan Lyons as substitute Damien Glass can be proud of his contribution.

Drumconrath; Sean Kane; John Lynch, Aiden Tighe, Patrick Dunne; Colm McEvoy, Peter Tighe, John McDermott; Stephan Crosby (0-1), Jamie Myles (0-1); Derek Duff, Chris Tighe (1-0), Eoin Martin; Graham Tighe, Alan Byrne (1-5), Brendan Lyons (0-1). Subs; Peter McEvoy for McEvoy, Damien Glass for G Tighe, Alan McEvoy for Dunne, Gavin Finnegan for McDermott and Padraig McMahon for Duff ​ Tweet

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