Dunboyne  1-14
Rathkenny  0-5

Dunboyne outscored Rathkenny in the Ideal Bathrooms JFC C final early on Sunday afternoon at Pairc Tailteann.

The sides drew in the round robin stage of the competition but Dunboyne made most of the running here to finish with 12 points to spare.

Just three points separated the sides at the break, 0-6 to 0-3, before Fergus McNulty's men kicked-on when playing towards the town goal.

Gavin Prior scooped the scoring plaudits with 1-4 while Jack Cox chpped in with six points. Conor Gilmartin (two), midfielder Hugh McCullough and sub Cathal Lacey completed the winners' tally.

The contrasting kits made for easy viewing in this meeting of sides who drew in the round robin stage of the competition. Dunboyne attired in their traditional yellow and black were never headed during the opening half, though the scores were tied on one occasion.

Having led by three points at the break, Dunboyne outscored Rathkenny by 1-8 to 0-2 in the second period. Both of the runners-up second-half scores came from Darron Barron frees with the first of those arriving in the 54th minute.

That left it 1-11 to 0-4 with Mattie Gilsenan Cup bound for Dunboyne. Prior's goal arrived in the 42nd minute and left it 1-8 to 0-3. Before that Richard Timmons did well to keep a couple of goals attempts out by the men in yellow and black.

Conor Gilmartin's opening score was countered by Darren Barron (free) for Rathkenny. Dunboyne kicked on with three scores on the spin. Gavin Prior posted two (one free) while Jack Cox notchced the first of three opening half scores from play.

Cox's second moved Dunboyne 0-5 to 0-1 clear after 18 minutes of playing towards the town goal. Midfielder Adam Brennan pulled one back for Rathkenny with a fine effort.

A fine Dunboyne move ended with Cox's thrid point of the half. The men in yellow and black seemed to have a good case for a penalty when Conor Gilmartin appeared to be fouled by Denis Nulty.

Another plus point of the half was Cathal McCabe's score for Rathkenny, with assistance from Darren Barron that left the men in red and black 0-3 to 0-6 in arrears at half-time.

Dunboyne kicked-on from the resumption, extending their advantage with a Gavin Prior free. For Rathkenny, Adam Brennan was unfortunate to hit the post with a point attempt.

Dunboyne hit a purple patch posting 1-2 in a two-minute spell to lead by nine points, 1-9 to 0-3,  heading into the final third of the hour and end Rathkenny's bid for honours.

Dunboyne - Conor McGrath; John Finlay, David O'Keeffe, Aodh Sweeney; Robert Comer, Lorcan Conway, Dean Quinn; Aidan O'Connor, Hugh McCullough (0-1); Gavin Prior (1-4 2fs), Denis Gallagher (C), Jack Cox (0-6, 1f); Conor Gilmartin (0-2), John Delaney, Conor Finn. Subs - Phillip McCrory for McCullough (47), Conor Hughes for Delaney (51), Cathal Lacey (0-1) for Finn (57), Eoghan Darcy for Comer (58), Cian Flynn for Cox (58).

Rathkenny - Richard Timmons; Cathal Mongey, Matthew Brien, Denis Nulty; Cathal McCabe (0-1), Graham Brennan, Jack Thompson; Adam Brennan (0-1), Denis Smith; Darren Barron (0-3 fs), Barry Carolan, Ronan Curtis (C); James Esmonde, Paul O'Brien, Simon Lenehan. Subs - Conor Brennan for Esmode (26), Owen O'Connor for Linehan (26), Daniel Timmons for Thompson (47), Colm Gore for Carolan (52),

Referee - Declan Browne (Skryne)

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