Tones looking good

Wolfe Tones caused something of a shock as they moved themselves into a strong position for qualification from group A of the JFC with a narrow, rousing win over a previously unbeaten Kilmainham at Carlanstown on Tuesday evening of last week. The contest was exciting throughout, but Wolfe Tones dynamic performance in the final 10 minutes edged them into a lead, which they maintained to defeat the strong favourites. The key moment of the game came with three minutes remaining when, with the sides level, Kevin McKeever was fouled close to the posts and Ciaran Breslin pointed to push Wolfe Tones into a narrow lead. Kilmainham battled hard for a late equaliser, but Wolfe Tones held on to stretch the club"s second team"s unbeaten championship record to almost three years. Man-of-the-match McKeever started as he meant to go on by opening the winners account from a free in the opening minute. Both sides traded scores before Mark Coleman"s goal appeared to swing the game in Wolfe Tones favour. However, a harsh penalty was awarded after a foul by Jeremy Claire and Meath minor star Michael Newman converted to get his side back into contention. With three minutes of the opening half remaining the sides were level, but Coleman"s second goal, which was countered with a Kilmainham point, gave Wolfe Tones a 2-3 to 1-4 interval lead. After the resumption Kilmainham burst from the blocks to level matters before Coleman edged Wolfe Tones ahead. The north Meath men enjoyed their best spell and moved into a winning position with four successive points to lead by three points with seven minutes remaining. McKeever (two) and Coleman dragged Wolfe Tones back to parity, but in the gradstand finish with was Breslin who fired the winning point to throw group A wide open. Wolfe Tones - J Claire; D Cassidy, D Coleman, A McKeever; P Caffrey, C Martin, P Reilly; J McKeown, D Browne; M Coleman (2-2), C Breslin (0-2), A Oakes; R Colwell, K McKeever (0-4), R McDonnell. Subs - T Browne for Claire, A McLoughlin for Colwell, J Tolan for Breslin, Breslin for Cassidy. Kilmainham - K Jordan; M Farren, P Curran, D Newman; D O"Sullivan, R Mooney, G Morgan; T Lynch, G Butler (0-1); S Mahon, D Farnan, S Butler, S Brosnan, M Newman (1-9), P Mooney. Sub - H Newman for S Butler. Drumbaragh 3-17 St Mary"s 1-4 Drumbaragh enjoyed a comfortable victory over St Mary"s in the JFC on Tuesday of last week at Syddan and remain on course for a place in the knockout stages. Needing a win to keep their qualification hopes on track, the winners made a sluggish start and were fortunate to be ahead by 1-8 to 1-4 at the break. Seanie Bennett had given them the early initiative with a fisted goal, but St Mary"s rallied well and a penalty before the break reduced the deficit to four points. It was a different Drumbaragh performance after the resumption as they took command and pulled away from the Donore men. Two goals from Colm Carry sealed the win as St Mary"s were held scoreless in the second-half. Drumbaragh boasted fine displays from Meath minors Enda Nulty and William Carry as well as Ciaran Lynch and Mark Smith. They now go into a group deciding tie with Wolfe Tones needing a victory to secure their passage to the quarter-finals. Drumbaragh - W Arkins; T Lynch, B Forde, P, Carry; D Gogarty, E Nulty (0-1), W Carry (0-1); C Lynch (0-2), M Smith (0-1); N Corcoran (0-1), J Smith (0-4), G McCormack (0-2); C Carry (2-4), S Bennett (1-0), J Connolly. Subs - M Kavanagh for P Carry, M Carry (0-1) for McCormack, L Harte for T Lynch.