Dunboyne to make it third time lucky against Kilmacud

FERGAL LYNCH

There's a serious sense of deja vu all over again as Dunboyne prepare to upset the odds and book their place in the Leinster Club SFC semi-final when they face newly crowned Dublin champions Kilmacud Crokes in Pairc Tailteann on Sunday, 1.30pm, writes Fergal Lynch.

On the two previous occasions Dunboyne have ventured into provincial competition they came unstuck against the Stillorgan club with the Dublin side earning a one-point victory in 1998 and then hammering the Meath champions in Pairc Tailteann in 2005.
While Dunboyne will be hoping it will be third-time lucky against Kilmacud the odds are stacked once again against the Meath champions.
Dublin clubs have won five of the last six Leinster Club SFCs, only Kildare's Moorefield broke that run last year, and on two of those occasions the Dublin champions went on to win the All-Ireland.
The gulf in the class between Meath and Dublin clubs when it comes to senior provincial titles is huge with Dublin clubs winning 21 times compared to Meath's four victories for Walterstown (twice), Summerhill and Dunshaughlin.
Kilmacud haven't just been a thorn in Dunboyne's side when it comes to provincial competition as the Dublin side claimed the Leinster Club SFC in 1994 with victory over 
Seneschalstown and they will fancy their chances of adding to the crowns they already won in '94, 2005, '08 and 
'10.
As well as history being against Dunboyne they will also have to plan without the services of Donal Lenihan who departed on a year-long sabbatical last Tuesday week and his absence will be a huge blow.
Lenihan has been Dunboyne's scorer-in-chief for many years and he has been a real leader in attack, but while his presence will be missed Dunboyne have options and if they find top form they might trouble Kilmacud.
Players like Robbie McCarthy and Stuart Lowndes are certainly of inter-county standard and are more than capable of coming up with the scores necessary, while manager Ciaron Byrne will be hoping to have David McEntee back from injury and possibly Ronan Jones if he can make the trip home from Boston once again.
Two key men for Meath will be Shane McEntee and Gavin McCoy.
Mannion tends to run the show for Kilmacud Crokes and he was undoubtedly the star turn in the drab Dublin SFC final.
McCoy is likely to be handed the task of subduing the four-time All-Ireland winner, while Shane McEntee's input will also be crucial if Dunboyne are to limit Kilmacud's scoring potential.
Next Sunday is the perfect time for Dunboyne to exact revenge on Kilmacud. It won't be easy, but with a little bit of luck and a lot of hard work these Meath champions are more than capable of upsetting the odds.