Summerhill due a break from years in the wilderness

With so many teams capable of making a big enough push to contend for Meath SFC honours it is no surprise that next Sunday will see a novel pairing when Summerhill and Dunshaughlin square up for the Keegan Cup at Pairc Tailteann, 4.0. When all the equations were applied to the formbook prior to the start of the SFC neither of these teams came into the reckoning as both had endured difficult campaigns the previous year. As usual the perennial contenders were proposed, and even as the competition was whittled down from 17 teams to eight few would have predicted Summerhill and Dunshaughlin to advance considering they were due to face Navan O'Mahonys and Simonstown in the quarter-finals. However, impressive wins in the last eight have made the county sit up and take notice and after supremely efficient semi-final wins both clubs are now just 60 minutes from ultimate glory. There is very little previous form between the two sides to give a clear indication as to which way this tie will pan out. They have met on several occasions over the years in the A FL Div 1, but those games are played at an intensity way below championship football. The last championship meeting was in 2009 and even then that game was played in the opening round, Summerhill emerged victorious by 0-11 to 0-7. What matters most is form and there can by no denying that these two teams are the form sides in the county. The professionalism and intensity of their respective semi-final wins proves that they are in the decider on merit. Both gave an early indictation of their intentions for the championship. Dunshaughlin caused a shock when defeating 2010 finalists Seeneschalstown by 1-10 to 0-9 while Summerhill opened by hammering Trim by 17 points. Trim's subsequent form indicates that that win cannot be blown out of proportion, but when Summerhill followed that with a two-point victory over a Blackhall Gaels side that had inflicted a 20-point defeat on Simonstown then people started to sit up and take notice of Declan McCabe's side. Dunshaughlin picked up an expected win over Nobber and despite slumping to Donaghmore/Ashbourne in round three they made sure of their place in the knock-out stages with a narrow win over Rathkenny. Summerhill booked their place in the quarter-finals with a win over Oldcastle and it was just as well because they slumped badly in their final two group games against Simonstown and Wolfe Tones. Dunshaughlin lost out to O'Mahonys in their final group game, but both sides had their focus elsewhere and it was in the knockout stages that they shone. Dunshaughlin made hard work of disposing of Simonstown in the quarter-final. They surrendered a lead in the dying moments of that game and were forced to extra-time where they had to come from behind and edge the result with a late Fergus Toolan point. Summerhill were much more impressive with two goals from Stephen Kennedy boosting them to victory over O'Mahonys. The respective semi-final performances proved how much can be learned in defeat. Summerhill overturned their group stage loss to Wolfe Tones, while Dunshaughlin did likewise to Donaghmore/Ashbourne to set up next Sunday's intriguing final. So just who holds the upperhand now? The weight of expectation is heavy on Summerhill's shoulders. They last lifted the Keegan Cup in 1986 and after a couple of near misses in recent years they will go into the final as heavy favourites with Dunshaughlin happy to wear the underdogs tag again. Dunshaughlin faded out of the Meath SFC picture following their three-in-a-row success in 2000, 2001 and 2002, but they have always proved resilient and now backboned by some veterans from their glory days and inspired by the excellence of youth from a few successful minor teams they are on the brink of glory again. Tactics are going to be crucial. Summerhill will look to move the ball from defence with pace, set up a platform around midfield and deliver quality into their danger men, most notably Stephen Kennedy. If they can perfect that tactic then Dunshaughlin will struggle to contain them. Kenny McTigue has plenty of miles on the clock and will have to use his experience well, while much will also depend on the form of Caoimhin King and Denis Kealy if the Dunshaughlin defence is to get the better of the Summerhill attack. Summerhill rely on Stephen Kennedy for a lot of scores, but he is not their only option. Three of the starting defenders from 2008 final against O'Mahonys, Paul Rispin, Adrian Kenny and Brian Ennis now feature in attack and all will be a significant threat. However, Dunshaughlin also have plans to cause the Summerhill defence a problem or two. Pace and ability are the key components for Dunshaughlin. Conor Devereux, Cathal O'Dwyer and Trevor Dowd can cut through a defence like a knife through butter and Summerhill will have to be diligent. Davy Dalton, Caolan Young, Stephen Husband, Willie Ryan and Richie Hatton are all outstanding defenders and will hope to counteract the Dunshaughlin pace. However, it is likely that this tie will be won and lost at midfield. Dunshaughlin have immense power and experience with John Crimmins and Ray Maloney, but it is felt that Summerhill might have the edge with Conor Gillespie and Michéal Byrne more creative influence with Brian ennis also dropping deep to pick up breaking ball. If Summerhill can get the edge at midfield, then they will provide plenty of scoring chances. It is unlikely to be a high-scoring extravaganza, but there will be plenty of outstanding football at the end of which might see Summerhill emerge with the Keegan Cup and end 25 years in the wilderness.