Summerhill pull clear to ease into quarter-finals
For almost three-quarters of this SFC contest at simonstown tonight Summerhill's Keegan Cup credentials were severely put to the test by a determined Rathkenny before a fortunate Davy Dalton goal settled nerves and boosted John Lyons' side to a 1-16 to 0-9 win.
Summerhill's lead was only 0-9 to 0-8 when David Larkin rattled the crossbar in the 46th minute, but Rathkenny failed to clear their lines as Brian Meade lost possession and Dalton buried the ball in the net to to put four points between the sides.
Rathkenny's heads dropped subsequently as they were outscored by 0-7 to 0-1 in the closing 13 minutes and it was Summerhill who booked their place in the knockout stages with ease.
Summerhill - Tony McDonnell; Iarla Hughes, Willie Ryan, Ronan Ryan; Padraig Geraghty, Richie Hatton, Ross Ryan; Micheal Byrne, Brian Ennis (0-3 frees); David Larkin (0-3), Barry Dardis (0-3 one free), Kevin Lyons; Seanie Dalton (0-3), Liam Shaw (0-2), Davy Dalton (1-1). Sub - Padraig Jennings (0-1) for Lyons 56 mins.
Rathkenny - Richie Timmons; Niall Brannigan, Ross Gore, Joe Gore; Stephen Crosby, Donal Keogan (0-1), Thomas McGuinness; Brian Meade (0-1), James Macken (0-1); Jack Thompson, Christy Meade, Robbie Garry (0-1); Barney Lenihan (0-4 frees), Owen Elliott, Keith Timmons. Subs - Caolach Halligan (0-1 free) for Thompson 34 mins, Donal Curtis for Elliott 41m, Sean Monger for Garry 53m.
Referee - Jack Gordon (Walterstown).
Read Fergal Lynch's full match report in next Tuesday evening's Meath Chronicle.