SFC Preview: Rathkenny or Summerhill
September 27, 2013

Key men - John Donegan Rathkenny and Summerhill's David Larkin
Rathkenny will meet Summerhill at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday to decide who should advance to the hoganstand.com Meath SFC decider.
Summerhill's form has been indifferent since claiming the Keegan Cup in 2011. The went out at the quarter-final stage last year and lost the opening two games of this year's campaign to Skryne and Rathkenny. But Declan McCabe's charges have turned it around to win their last five championship matches.
Rathkenny, yet again, have surprised many but getting to the last four, a feat they last achieved in 2010. Under the guidance of Des Lane they won their opening three group games and a draw with Skryne in round 4 guaranteed their place in the quarter-finals before they lost their last round game to St Pat's.
The SquadsRathkenny: John Martin, Joe Gore, James Macken, Ronan Martin, David Donegan, Donal Keogan, Tommy McKeever, John Donegan, Ronan Curtis, Brian Lenehan, Derek Smith, Jack Gore, Donal Curtis, Christopher Meade, Owen Elliott, Andrew Finney, Ross Gore, Stephen Crosbie, Niall Brannigan, Thomas Martin, Darren Barron, Cathal McCabe, Barry Carolan, Michael Macken, Ivan Lenehan, Denis Nulty, Adam Brennan, Declan Crosbie
Summerhill: Tony McDonnell, Padraig Jennings, Caolan Young, Willie Ryan, Padraig Geraghty, Alan Lyons, Stephen Husband, Conor Gillespie, Micheal Byrne, David Larkin, Brian Ennis, Adrian Kenny, Kevin Ryan, Paul Rispin, Barry Dardis, Paul Comey, Damien Byrne, Stephen Kennedy, Michael Gorman, Eamonn Ryan, Gary Rispin, Kevin Lyons, Ciaran Gillespie, Ross Tallon, Justin Ennis, Eoghan Jennings, Sean Dalton, Bobby Lyons, Richie Hatton, Brian Rispin
Key MenRathkenny - James Macken, Donal Keogan, John Donegan, Brian Lenehan, Donal Curtis and Owen Elliott.
Summerhill - Willie Ryan, Alan Lyons, Conor Gillespie, Micheal Byrne, David Larkin, Brian Ennis and Adrian Kenny.
Results to DateRound 1
Summerhill 1-10 Skryne 2-8
Rathkenny 1-7 Oldcastle 0-4
Round 2
Rathkenny 1-13 Summerhill 0-15
Round 3
Summerhill 1-11 Oldcastle 0-9
Rathkenny 1-12 Donaghmore Ashbourne 1-10
Round 4
Summerhill 1-13 St Patricks 1-4
Rathkenny 0-12 Skryne 2-6
Round 5
Summerhill 0-11 Donaghmore Ashbourne 0-10
Rathkenny 1-6 St Patricks 1-10
Preliminary Quarter Final
Summerhill 3-14 Dunboyne 1-11
Quarter Finals
Summerhill 1-9 Navan O'Mahonys 1-8
Rathkenny 0-14 Seneschalstown 1-10 AET
Last MeetingRathkenny caused a big surprise by beating Summerhill in round 2 of the group stages at Pairc Tailteann in April. In the end it was a fine goal from the experienced Donal Curtis that separated the team. The Hill led 0-4 to 0-1 after ten minutes but as they have done all season Rathkenny clawed their way back and were on level terms 0-9 each at the break. Curtis' goal came on the 53rd minute to put Rathkenny 1-12 too 0-12 ahead. Summerhill had chances to win it but could not break down a resolute Rathkenny. Final score Rathkenny 1-13 Summerhill 0-15.
The line outs that day at Pairc Tailteann were:
Rathkenny - John Martin; Joe Gore, James Macken, Ronan Martin; Donal Keogan, Tommy McKeever, Ross Gore; Brian Meade (0-1), Ronan Curtis; Brian Lenehan (0-5, 3fs), Ivan Lenehan, Jack Gore (0-3, 2fs); Donal Curtis (1-2), Stephen McCabe (0-1), Owen Elliott (0-1). Subs - Christy Meade for R Martin (39), Barry Carolan for McCabe (59).
Summerhill - Tony McDonnell; Michael Gorman, Caolan Young, Willie Ryan (0-1); Stephen Husband, Alan Lyons, Davy Dalton; Micheal Byrne (0-1 f), Conor Gillespie; Paul Rispin (0-2), David Larkin (0-2), Adrian Kenny (0-2); Barry Dardis (0-1 45), Brian Ennis (0-2 fs), Sean Dalton (0-3). Sub - Damien Byrne (0-1) for Rispin (45)
Key QuestionsHow much are Rathkenny going to miss county star Brian Meade?
Will Rathkenny be able to reproduce the same grit and determination they showed against Seneschalstown?
Will Conor Gillespie and Micheal Byrne be able to curb the influence of John Donegan in the middle of the park?
Can the experienced Donal Curtis impose himself as much as he has done in previous games against a battle hardened Hill defence?
Will David Larkin gets as much room from Donal Keogan as he did against O'Mahonys in the quarter final?
Can the Rathkenny halfback line cope with Larkin, Kenny and Ennis?
In one word - Summerhill
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