Round 2 of the hoganstand.com Meath senior football championship gets underway this weekend. There are six games in total with some very interesting clashes to look forward to including a repeat of last year's county final between Na Fianna and champions Navan O'Mahonys.

Friday 13th May

Gaeil Colmcille v Rathkenny at 7.45pm in Bohermeen. Referee Des Smyth

Gaeil Colmcille scored a resounding victory over neighbours Ballinlough at a wind swept Pairc Tailteann on opening round day. The Kells men were always in control and won with ease. Once more they will call on their key players Justy Carry Lynch, the Tormeys, Seamus Mattimoe, Cormac Keegan and Brian Hanlon to show the way.

Rathkenny were very unlucky not to have got something from their opener against Seneschalstown at Skryne. This will be Des Lane's second excursion on Friday night. Their main men, Donal Keogan, Brian Meade, James Macken, Jack Gore and Caolach Halligan will need to be on top of their game in Sean Newman Park.

Opening Round Results

Seneschalstown 2-9 Rathkenny 0-12

Gaeil Colmcille 0-16 Ballinlough 0-6

Opening Round Teams:

Rathkenny: Colin Curtis; Joe Gore, Robbie Garry (0-1), Thomas McGuinness; Niall Branagan, Donal Keogan, Ross Gore; Brian Meade (0-3, 2fs), James Macken; Ivan Lenehan, Jack Gore (0-3 fs), Stephen Crosby; Caolach Halligan (0-4, 3fs), Michael Macken, Brian Lenehan. Subs - Donal Curtis for M Macken, Owen Elliott for Lenehan, Graham Brennan for McGuinness, Christy Meade for Jack Gore.

Gaeil Colmcille: Justin Carry Lynch, Barry Tormay, Robbie Flanagan, Liam Ferguson, Johnny Quigley, Barry Smith 0-1, Paul Tormay, Cormac Keegan 0-1, Seanie Curran 0-1, Seamus Mattimoe 0-4, Martin Barrett, Stephen Reddy 0-1, Oisin Reilly 0-2, Brian Hanlon 0-5, Stevie McManus 0-1. Sub: Michael Foley.

Match Betting: Gaeil Colmcille 1/2 Draw 7/1 Rathkenny 15/8

Our Verdict: Gaeil Colmcille

 

Na Fianna v O'Mahonys at 7.45pm in Lomans Park Trim. Referee Richard Morris

This promises to be the tie of the round. A repeat of last year's hoganstand.com Meath senior football championship final. Navan O'Mahonys proved victorious on that wet Bank Holiday Monday in Pairc Tailteann. 

Favourites again this year, Davy Nelson's charges are once more the team to beat. The Hoops still have a very strong spine in Brennan, McKeigue, Reilly, O'Brien, O'Coileain, the Brays and Forde. They were comfortable enough winners in the first round despite Moynalvey asking questions in the second half in Trim.

Na Fianna's form in the early rounds of the league has been poor but John Lyons and his charges put all of that behind them with a surprise opening round win over last year's Division 1 league champions Dunshaughlin. The Enfield Baconstown Rathmolyon outfit will once more call on Shane Geraghty, Johnny Baldwin, Danny and Jamie Queeney,  Christy Cosgrove, Dalton McDonagh and Conor Downey to lead the way.

Opening Round Results

Na Fianna 0-16 Dunshaughlin 1-12

Navan O'Mahonys 1-13 Moynalvey 1-7

Opening Round Teams

Na Fianna: S Geraghty, J Baldwin, C Cosgrave, J Geagan, M Farley, A Neary, P Slevin, D Queeney (0-7), O Lewis (0-1), M Collins, J Queeney, C Downey (0-1), E Devine (0-2), D McDonagh (0-4), H Silke (0-1). Subs; Barry Clancy for Collins, Barry Slevin for Silke, Colin Ryan for Geagan.

O'Mahonys:  Marcas Brennan; Darragh Smyth, Niall McKeigue, Darragh Maguire; Brian Dillon, James Reilly (0-1), Gary O'Brien; Stephen Monaghan, Conor Finnegan; Ruairi O Coileain (1-3); Stephen Bray (0-2), Alan Forde (0-1); Shane Gillespie (0-1), David Bray (0-3, 1f), Cathal Smyth (0-2, 1f). Subs -  Conor Doyle for Dillon.

Match Betting: Navan O'Mahonys 4/9 Draw 15/2 Na Fianna 21/10

Our Verdict: Navan O'Mahony's

 

Skryne v Seneschalstown at 7.45pm in Pairc Tailteann. Referee Cormac Reilly

One of the big derby's on the Meath senior football championship circuit. Inspired by Brian Clarke Seneschalstown were made to work hard for their opening round win over Rathkenny in Skryne. Along with Clarke the Yellow Furze men will be looking for big performances from keeper David Lyons, the Sheridans and Johnny Gilsenan to see off their neighbours at headquarters.

Skryne were easy winners over Blackhall Gaels in their opening round. They also played without county star Paddy O'Rourke that night in Duleek. Ciaran Lenehan, Adam O'Sullivan, Mark Battersby, Aidan Tuite and Brian Davis will need to be on top of their game if the Tara men are to make it two from two. 

Opening Round Results

Seneschalstown 2-9 Rathkenny 0-12

Skryne 1-15 Blackhall Gaels 0-7

Opening Round Teams

Seneschalstown:  David Lyons; John Smith, Cormac Noone, Sean McCabe; Teean Cummins, James Byrne, David Matthews; Damien Sheridan, Joe Sheridan; Niall Hickey, Brian Sheridan (1-0 pen), Adam Carey; Johnny Gilsenan (0-3), James Meade, Brian Clarke (1-6, 0-2 fs). Subs - Conor Cowley for Matthews, Paul Carey for Meade.

Skryne: Ian Gillett. Declan Morley, Niall Lenehan, Mark Jordan. Tomás McKeown, Ciaran Lenehan (0-2), Adam O'Sullivan (0-1). Aidan Tuite, Donie Ryan. Stephen O'Brien, Conor O'Brien (0-3), Brian Davis (0-2). Neil Burke (1-0), Mark Battersby (0-5), Darragh Campion (0-2).

Match Betting: Skryne 8/15 Draw 7/1 Seneschalstown 7/4

Our Verdict: Draw

 

Saturday 14 May

Duleek/Bellewstown v St. Patricks at 7.00pm in Seneschalstown. Referee Patrick Nelis

Both teams will be keen to atone for disappointing opening round defeats. 

St Pats set up defensively and managed to curtail Donaghmore Ashbourne for long periods in Pairc Tailteann. It wasn't until Bryan Menton hit those three second half points that their grip on the game was broken. Their key players include keeper Robert Cluskey, David McQuillan, Alan Vickers, Shane Dowling, Neil Flaherty, Donal Landy and Niall Mooney.

Duleek Bellewstown were disappointing against a very strong Dunboyne outfit in round 1. Graham Geraghty's men are capable of much better and with players like Jason Brannigan, Johnny McDonnell, Robin Clarke, Stephen Nolan John Flood, Conall McGinley, Paudge Howard and Mark Collins they can get back on track.

Opening Round Results

Dunboyne 3-21 Duleek Bellewstown 3-4

Donaghmore Ashbourne 1-9 St Patricks 0-7

Opening Round Teams

Duleek/Bellewstown: Anthony Dowling, James Murphy, Jason Brannigan, Johnny McDonnell (1-0), Robin Clarke, David Moore, Shane Townley, Stephen Nolan, Kevin McCann, John Flood (0-3), Mark Collins (1-0), Paudge Howard (1-0), Stephen McArdle, Conall McGinley (0-1),Anthony Burke. Substitutes; Eanna Byrne for Stephen Nolan, Des Teeling for Stephen McArdle.

St Patrick's: Robert Cluskey; Adam Byrne, David McQuillan, Michael McNulty; Ray Russell, Barry Mooney, Alan Vickers (0-1); Kieran Lynch, Keith Whearty; Shane Dowling (0-1), Neil O'Flaherty (0-1), Diarmuid Quinn; Donal Landy (0-3, 2fs), Niall Mooney, Darren Hagan. Subs - Niall Whearty (0-1 f) for Quinn, Cormac Sullivan for Lynch.

Match Betting: St Patricks 4/7 Draw 13/2 Duleek Bellewstown 7/4

Our Verdict: Duleek Bellewstown

 

Moynalvey v Simonstown at 7.30pm in Skryne. Referee Patrick Coyle

This should be a very interesting encounter. Both teams will have high hopes of making it out of the group stages.

Moynalvey never really got going against holders O'Mahonys in their opening round and the strong winds that weekend played havoc with their game plan. They possess a core of excellent footballers. James Weldon, Shane Lenehan, Cathal McCabe, Stephen Donoghue, the Harnans, the O'Sullivans and David McLoughlin should really test Simonstown.

Colm O'Rourkes charges struggled for long periods in their opening round against neighbours Wolfe Tones and needed a Padraig McKeever point to level matters deep into injury time. Shane O'Rourke is a massive loss but in Ian O'Rourke, Conor Nash, Seamus Kenny, Niall Kane Mickey Brennan, Padraig McKeever and Conor Sheridan they have players quite capable of pushing the Navan club for outright honours.

Opening Round Results

Navan O'Mahonys 1-13 Moynalvey 1-7

Simonstown 1-10 Wolfe Tones 0-13

Opening Round Teams

Moynalvey: Conor Egan; Robert Lawless, Cathal McCabe, Darren Brennan; Eamon Walsh, Stephen Donoghue, Fergal McCabe; Padraic Harnan, Donal Smith; Brian Harnan, Mark O'Sullivan, Shane Lenehan (1-0); David McLoughlin (0-3, 1f); Cillian O'Sullivan (0-1 f), James Kelly. Subs - James Weldon (0-3) for Kelly, David Reilly for Lenehan, James O'Neill for Smith, Conor Harnan for McCabe.

Simonstown: Robbie Burlingham; Shane Gallagher, Michael O'Rourke, Ian O'Rourke; Mark Gardiner (0-1), Niall Kane, Colin Wickham; Sean Tobin (0-2 sf), Conor Sheridan; Joe Lyons, Padraig McKeever (0-1), Brian McGrath (1-0); Nathan O'Brien, Eanna Donoghue, Mickey Brennan (0-5 fs) . Subs - Niall McMahon for Gallagher, Mark McCabe (0-1) for O'Brien, Conor Nash for Sheridan, Niall McMahon for Ian O'Rourke, Seamus Kenny for Wickham.

Match Betting: Simonstown 1/2 Draw 7/1 Moynbalvey 15/8

Our Verdict: Simonstown

 

Sunday 15 May

Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Summerhill at 3.30pm in Pairc Tailteann, Referee Colm McManus

Another big game to look forward to. Both clubs with new managers and both with serious ambitions of winning the Keegan Cup.

While always in control of the game, Donaghmore Ashbourne found it difficult to break down a very resolute St Patricks defence in the opening round in Pairc Tailteann. Sean Kelly's charges were also poor in front of goal but started that day without influential attacker Michael Deegan who was on All-Ireland U21 semi final duty with Dublin. Bryan Menton was the star of the show in that opening round win over St Pats. Former Down footballer James Colgan is a massive addition while Jack Hannigan, the McGovern twins, Shane Melia, Conor Carey, Aidan Hughes and Andy Tormey will trouble any team in the senior ranks.

Some would say that Summerhill are a team in a 'rebuilding process'. Goals from Seanie Dalton and Ross Ryan were crucial in their opening round win over Intermediate champions Ratoath in Dunshaughlin. Under John Lyons they still have the core of Keegan Cup winning teams. Conor Gillespie remains a massive loss both to club and county but with seasoned campaigners like Tony McDonnell, Damien Byrne, Willie Ryan, David Dalton, Paul Rispin, Micheal Byrne, Richie Hatton and David Larkin they can be a match for anyone.

Opening Round Results

Donaghmore Ashbourne 1-9 St Patricks 0-7

Summerhill 2-8 Ratoath 0-13

Opening Round Teams

Summerhill: Tony Mc Donnell, Willie Ryan, Caolan Young, John Lavelle, Padraigh Geraghty 0-1, Richie Hatton, Ronan Ryan, Michael Byrne 0-2, Ross Ryan 1-1, Paul Rispin, Ciaran Gillespie 0-1, David Larkin 0-1, David Dalton 0-2, Bobby Lyons, Sean Dalton 1-0. Subs: Iarla Hughes for Bobby Lyons, Damien Byrne for Ciaran Gillespie.

Donaghmore-Ashbourne: Jack Hannigan; JP Casserly, Cormac McGill, Thomas McGovern; Daragh McGovern, Shane Melia, Paul Gilligan (0-1); Conor Carey, James Colgan; Cathal Field (0-1), Bryan Menton (0-3), Conor Carton (0-1); Aidan Hughes (0-1), Andy Tormey (1-2, 0-1f), Ciaran Ellis. Subs - Shaun Byrne for Ellis, Sean Curran for Carton, Michael Deegan for Field.

Match Betting: Donaghmore Ashbourne 1/2 Draw 7/1 Summerhill 15/8

Our Verdict: Donaghmore Ashbourne

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