SFC Group C: 'Tones tame champions

April 19, 2019

Cian Ward Wolfe Tones

Wolfe Tones scored a surprise win over Dunboyne in this round two fixture at Skryne on Thursday night.

Wolfe Tones ....... 0-13
Dunboyne ........... 0-11


Tony Kearney's men - who lost narrowly to Simonstown first time out six days earlier - deserved the points for the manner in which they chased the game when in arrears before in the final quarter defending superbly a slender advantage. 

Cian Ward top-scored with eight points and did well to put behind him a trio of missed second-half frees. Niall O'Reilly finished with three points from play for the 'Tones who outscored Dunboyne by 0-5 to 0-1 after the interval. 

Dunboyne's sole second-half score came courtesy from a Robbie McCarthy 59th minute free, bringing his tally to eight points (five frees).

Moments earlier Dunboyne introduced Michael Dunne to full-forward in an attempt to salvage something from the fixture.

Steely defending, with Conor Sheppard and Eanna O'Kelly-Lynch making some crucial interceptions, ensured Wolfe Tones' defence didn't concede a goal.

The scores were tied four times in the first-half while McCarthy's accuracy ensured Dunboyne led for most of the opening 30 minutes. 

Seconds in a McCarthy free gave Dunboyne the lead before the number 13 placed Stephen Moran for a score to double the lead. 

Points from Cian Ward (free) and Niall O'Reilly leveled matters for the first of four times in the opening period. 

The 'Tones kicked-on to lead by 0-5 to 0-3 by the end of the opening quarter. Dunboyne replied with five points on the spin to lead by 0-8 to 0-5 after 25 minutes with three McCarthy points on the spin separating the sides. 

Wolfe Tones replied with three points from as many different players to level matters for the fourth time. 

The champions responded with a brace of score from McCarthy and Gavin McCoy to lead by 0-10 to 0-8 at half-time. 

On a calm evening, the second-half yielded just six points, a third of what was registered in the opening half. Just two scores (both Cian Ward) were posted in the third quarter. 

Another brace of Cian Ward scores earned Wolfe Tones the lead they took to the finish with Thomas O'Reilly also contributing. . 

Wolfe Tones - Trevor Browne; Conor Sheppard, Shane Glynn, Stephen Sheppard; Eanna O'Kelly-Lynch, Thomas O'Reilly (0-1), Brughach O Fionnagain (0-1); Alan Callaghan, Cian O'Neill; Eanna Harrington, Cian Ward (0-8, 7fs), Niall O'Reilly (0-3); Saran O Fionnagain, Padraic Diamond, Fiachra Ward. Sub - Cillian O'Brien for Cian O'Neill (ht). 

Dunboyne - Cian Flynn; Jordan McLoughlin, Jack Scannell, Seamus Lavin; Cian O'Dwyer, Gavin McCoy (0-1), Conor Doran (0-1); Shane McEntee, Jack Donnelly; Cathal Lacey, Stephen Moran (0-1), Niall Jones; Robbie McCarthy, Shane Cumiskey, Cathal Finn. Subs - Sean Ryan for O'Dwyer (18), Jack Cox for Cumiskey (45), Michael Murphy for Jones (45), David Gallagher for Donnelly (45), Michael Dunne for Moran (58). 

Referee - Cormac Reilly (St Mary's)


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