Dunboyne edge out neighbours Dunshaughlin
Dunboyne made the perfect start to the SFC with a 1-12 to 1-7 first round victory at Páirc Tailteann tonight against a Dunshaughlin side that wasted too many early chances as they tallied five wides in the opening half.
Dunboyne were more economic during that period as they opened a 0-7 to 0-3 interval advantage, but also finished the half with five wides as the standard of marksmanship dipped as the minutes ticked down to the interval.
Donal Lenihan sent over three frees and a '45' for Dunboyne with the extras from play by Stuart Lowndes, Cathal Lacy and full-back Shane McEntee - from about 40 metres when he was totally unmarked.
Points in the fourth minute from Fergus Toolan's free and from play in the eighth and 24th minutes through Cathal O'Dwyer hardly kept Dunshaughlin in touch.
The deficit was five points (0-5 to 0-10) towards the end of the third-quarter with a brace from Robbie mcCarthy (one free) and a fine Conor Doran effort from play sustaining Dunboyne's dominance as O'Dwyer countered with a couple of frees.
Dunboyne were comfortable, maybe too comfortable, and they paid the penalty when referee Padraig Coyle pointed to the spot after Doran was adjudged to have impeded Tommy Johnson.
The spot-kick was duly converted by O'Dwyer and Dunshaughlin were in the ascendancy.
Toolan was denied a goal when his effort thundered off the underside of the crossbar - it was possibly a game-changer - but O'Dwyer sent over soon after and the gap was down to the minimum.
Lenihan and O'Dwyer traded further points, but Dunboyne scrapped sufficiently and David McEntee's point was greeted with great enthusiasm by the Dunboyne supporters.
The danger of the two-point lead spurred Dunboyne and they carved out a late goal from McCarthy after Ronan Jones provided the final pass.
The scoreline was flattering but the victory was deserved.
Still a long way to go but Dunboyne will be pleased with the win - nothing more.
Dunboyne - Paddy Curran; Gary Timoney, Shane McEntee (0-1), Jordan McLoughlin; Conor Doran (0-1), Cathal Finn, gavin McCoy; David Gallagher, Ronan Jones; Cathal Lacy (0-1), Niall Jones, Stuart Lowndes (0-1); Robbie McCarthy (1-2 one free), Donal Lenihan (0-5 three frees, one '45'), David McEntee (0-1). Subs -Michael Dunne for Lacy 43 mins, Jack Sacnnell for Timoney 55m.
Dunshaughlin - Adam McDermott; Alastair Doyle, Caoimhin King, Michael Ahearn; David Dunne, Niall Murphy, Tadhg O Dushlaine; John Crimmins, Ben deegan; Niall Byrne, Fergis Toolan (0-1 free), Tommy Johnson; Shane Gallogly, Ray Maloney, Cathal O'Dwyer (1-6 penalty goal, three frees). Subs - Danny Quinn for O Dushlaine and Rian Kealy for Gallogly both 45 mins, Mark Devanney for Byrne, Eoin Hagarty for Toolan both 56m, Ronan Geraghty for Dunne 58m
Referee - Padraig Coyle.