Syddan 2-12
Ballinabrackey 1-13
Syddan laid down a marker ahead of two further clashes with Ballinabrackey following an improved second half display at Ludlow Park on Sunday.
With the teams due to meet again in Round 4 of the Division 3 league as well as the championship later in the year it was first blood to the Syddan men who recovered from a six point deficit to book a quarter final spot.
Two late pointed frees from Daire Rowe sealed victory against a 'Brackey outfit minus Meath panellists Damien Carroll and Nicky Judge.
The home side got off to the perfect start when Daire Rowe created the opening for Sean Clare to slap the ball to the net inside a minute.
However Syddan were unable to build on that bright start and by half-time Ballinabrackey were ahead 0-9 to 1-4. Midfielder Seamus Curry and wing forward Evan Daly shared six points of the visitors tally.
Ballinabrackey stretched their lead following a goal from Chris O'Connor and a Danny Quinn point within two minutes of the restart.
That left Syddan with an uphill battle but with Rowe and Gary Farrelly showing good accuracy they kept in touch and drew level after sub Cathal Dardis finished to the net from close range on 48 minutes.
The Offaly border side regained the lead momentarily and were ahead 1-13 to 2-8 on 53 minutes.
They failed to add to their tally after that though as Syddan finished strongly with four unanswered points, all from the boot of Daire Rowe.
SYDDAN - Ciaran Farrelly; Mark Fedigan, Jack Reid, Anthony Smith; Andrew Garland, Stephen Dillon, Kevin Traynor 0-1; Sean Clare 1-0, Robbie Farrelly; Graham Garland, Sean Malone, Cormac Rowe; Daire Rowe 0-7 (7fs), Gary Farrelly 0-3 (2f), Philip White 0-1. Subs - C Dardis 1-0 for G Garland, Peter Sheehy for Clare, Ben Bashford for G Farrelly, Michael Fedigan for White.
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