Summerhill 1-7
Wolfe Tones 0-6

Summerhill's Meath SFC prospects looked bleak when losing by seven points to Wolfe Tones in the last round of the group games. But they reversed that result in the first of the semi-finals at Pairc Tailteann and renewed hopes of celebrating the 25th anniversary of the last Keegan Cup triumph in the best possible manner.

The south county side does not possess any marquee names but they took full advantage of Tones' star man, Cian Ward, being off form to hold the initiative for most of the encounter.

Tones only led briefly in the early stages with Ward failing to convert three frees in the opening quarter. The county forward was off target with a couple more kicks and had a penalty stopped in the game's last action.

But such should not take away from Summerhill's success. Davy Dalton kept a close watch on the Tones danger man and the return of Eoghan Harrington after injury failed to galvanise them into a positive performance.

After missing two early scoring chances, Ward gave his side the lead from a free on eight minutes but even though playing against the breeze in the first half, Summerhill slowly but surely worked their way into the game.

Boosted by two points from full-forward Stephen Kennedy, who had netted two crucial goals in the semi-final win over Navan O'Mahonys, they went on to lead by 0-5 to 0-2 at the break, Ward putting over Tones' second play from play.

Early in the second half Summerhill missed a great goal chance when David Nolan saved well from Maurice Kennedy and the pendulum appeared to be swinging in Tones' favour when points from Niall McLoughlin and Ward (free) left the board reading 0-6 to 0-4.

However, Summerhill then struck for the decisive goal with wing-back Stephen Husband moving forward to fire to the net on 42 minutes to leave the scores 1-6 to 0-4.

Tones' task became more uphill when the inspirational Ciaran McLoughlin was dismissed for a second yellow card offence on 46 minutes.

Even though Summerhill only managed to raise the white flag twice in the second half - a Michael Byrne free just after gaining the numerical advantage being their last score - they did enough against lacklustre opposition.

The issue was decided when Martin McNally was fouled for the late penalty. Tony McDonnell did well to keep out Ward's kick and the follow-up attempt was sent wide.

Summerhill: T McDonnell; D Dalton, C Young, W Ryan; S Husband (1-0), R Hatton, M Gorman; M Byrne (0-1, f), C Gillespie; D Larkin (0-1), B Ennis, M Kennedy; S Dalton (0-1), S Kennedy (0-2), A Kenny (0-1). Subs: P Rispin (0-1) for S Dalton (29), G Rispin for S Kennedy (55), S Dalton for Kenny (58).

Wolfe Tones: D Nolan; G Beggy, C McLoughlin, P Caffrey; Eoghan Harrington S Sheppard, N McLoughlin (0-1); S Corrigan, A Callaghan; C Blaney, D McGrath, A Fox; Eanna Harrington, F Ward, C Ward (0-4, 3fs). Subs: M McNally for F Ward (37), M Coleman (0-1) for Blaney (45).

Referee: D Gough (Slane). Tweet

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