The scoreboard says all that needs to be said about this final Group D game in Pairc Tailteann, played in perfect conditions on Sunday evening. Summerhill, already qualified for the knockout stages, seemed not tuned in and played second fiddle for most of this game. Dunboyne are a serious football side, very physical, and peppered with inter county individuals who play at the highest level. They won this game by closing off the space, crowding the defense whenever Summerhill got attacking momentum going. Their midfield dominance was exemplified by a great display by Ronan Jones, and Donal Lenihan gave his opposite number a torrid time of it, further enhancing his reputation as one of the best around.  Their use of a sweeper made life very difficult for the Hill inside forward line. The scraps of possession that Summerhill did manage to win around the centre more often than not ended up being squandered, such was the effectiveness of the Dunboyne defensive tactics. 

 

An early point by David Larkin after a minute of play and another by Conor Lyons on 23 minutes were the Hills only rewards from play in the first half, and two superb long range efforts from placed balls by Eoghan Frayne kept the game alive at half time. Attempting to up their game in the second half, Padraigh Geraghty scored a great effort 5 minutes in but this quickly cancelled out by Shane McEntee. The first half pattern of play continued with the black and amber dominance in midfield allowing the Dunboyne forwards to pick off another five points in the half. Finally, the goal on 28 minutes finished the came as a contest, with the last gasp Summerhill white flag coming from Adam McDonnell.

 

Summerhill were forced to line out without the services of captain Ronan Ryan and first choice centre back John Keane. It is hoped that this pair will be available for the quarter final which takes place in 4 weeks time. A number of injuries were picked up in this game, and if the Hill are to make any further progress in this championship they will need every day of those four weeks for those knocks to clear up. There is no margin for error any more.

1.Tony McDonnell; 22. Padhraig Geraghty (0-1), 4. Pádraig Jennings; 5. Adam McDonnell (0-1), 19. Willie Ryan, 7. John Lavelle; 8. Micheal Byrne, 9. Ross Ryan; 10. David Larkin (0-1), 11. Paul Larkin, 12. Conor Lyons (0-1); 13.Conor Frayne, 14. David Dalton, 15. Eoghan Frayne (0-2f).