Comfortable victory for Wolfe Tones

Those who think Wolfe Tones can go all the way this year and reclaim the Keegan Cup will have been encouraged by the manner in which they dismantled the challenge of Dunshaughlin at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday evening. The Tones were already assured a place in the next phase, but they still went about their business in this slow-burning contest with an effective mixture of skill and determination. They had a real zest and zip about them they will be looking to maintain for their quarter-final clash with Dunboyne. Dunshaughlin's defeat means that they now facing a daunting quarter-final preliminary tie against Blackhall Gaels and they will need to improve considerably if they are to progress. This contest was as good as over at the break when the Tones led by 2-6 to 0-4 and it was understandable that they should have eased up a little in the second-half. And it looked more a case of them easing up rather than Dunshaughlin moving up a few gears. A Dunshaughlin official expressed concerns beforehand that is was over two months since the team's last outing in the championship. It was a legitimate concern as the players often looked sluggish and off-the-pace. Whether this is a passing concern or a more fundamental problem remains to be seen. Certainly in the opening half Dunshaughlin really struggled with the type of swift-moving, quick-passing game the Tones were able to play. It was significant that six of the Tones forwards got on the scoresheet and one of those was Darren Maguire who helped himself to the game's opening goal. It was a score that came from one of those sweeping moves the Tones were capable of stitching together. With 13 minutes on the clock Barry McGinn won the ball well inside his own half. Mark Coleman and Gordon Beggy became involved in moving the ball forward. The attack was finished off skilfully by Maguire who fisted home from close range. The second goal arrived just before the interval. Again it was the product of a move that involved a number of players with Stephen Sheppard, Alan Fox and Niall McLoughlin combining to set up Mark Coleman who made the net dance with a low drive. Not surprisingly Cian Ward led the scoring charts once more with seven points, three frees. Ward, once again showed just how good a forward he can be scoring some memorable points, from play and placed balls, left foot and right foot, it didn't matter. One point late in the first-half was exceptional. Ward won the ball out on the left, shook off his marker with a little shuffle before splitting the posts. It was the kind of score Meath fans would love to see him notch up in the green and gold on a regular basis. McLoughlin (two), Maguire, Fox and Byrne also contributed a point apiece to the Wolfe Tones account. Dunshaughlin had a better second-half without ever looking really convincing. The long lay-off certainly didn't help and it says something that half-forward Martin Reilly top-scored for them with four points, two frees. Ray Maloney (two), Richie Kealy, Niall Kelly, Michael McHale, David Crimmins were others to trouble the scorekeeper. Granted, Dunshaughlin were without a few regulars, but they failed to sparkle on this occasion and it must have been disconcerting for their supporters to see experienced and talented players like Kealy and Kelly spurn relatively easy chances near the end of this contest. Dunshaughlin will need to up it a few notches for the Blackhall game. Wolfe Tones march on with hope in their hearts. Wolfe Tones - S Power; R Brady, C McLoughlin, C Martin; B McGinn, E Harrington, S Sheppard; S Corrigan, M Coleman (1-0); D Maguire (1-1), N McLoughlin (0-2), G Beggy; A Fox (0-1), C Ward (0-7), P Byrne (0-1). Subs - J McKeown for Beggy 46 mins; R McDonnell for Byrne 51m; D Coleman for McGinn 56m. Dunshaughlin - R Gogan; T Johnson, K McTigue, A Johnson; M Ahern, C King, D Kealy; J Crimmins, R Maloney (0-2); C Farrelly, R Kealy (0-1), M Reilly (0-4, two frees); C Staunton, N Kelly (0-2, two frees), C Devereux. Subs - D Crimmins (0-1) for Ahern 37 mins; M McHale (0-1) for Farrelly 40m. Referee - Liam O'Brien (Duleek/Bellewstown).