Rathkenny stay unbeaten as Dunshaughlin exit race

Rathkenny maintained their position at the top of Group A in the race for the SFC Keegan Cup with a narrow victory over Dunshaughlin at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday in very difficult conditions. The victory also secured a place in the knock-out stages for Rathkenny who were embroiled in the prolonged relegation play-off saga last year. Rathkenny only maintained their status following prolonged boardroom negotiations in the weeks leading up to the draw for this year's Keegan Cup and are now the only team still unbeaten in the race for 2010 title. Buoyed by that statistic, Rathkenny will be eager to finish the qualifying group on a winning note and will fancy their chances of achieving that goal when they take on rock-bottom St Ultan's in the next round. Dunshaughlin exited the championship as a result of this setback on Sunday and they will be aiming to finish on a positive note when they face neighbours Blackhall Gaels the next day Dunshaughlin started well on Sunday and Conor Devereux pointed them into an eighth minute lead after both teams had missed easy chances. Caoimhin King burst forward from his position as deputy full-back soon after and found Conor Satunton who was fouled. Devereux split the posts from the resultant free for a 0-2 to 0-0 lead after 11 minutes. Rathkenny refused to panic and when Brian Meade gained possession, he was fouled, but referee Marcus Quinn moved the ball forward. Meade found county team selector Donal Curtis who opened his side's account from play in the 12th minute. Dunshaughlin created plenty of opportunities during the opening half, but dropped the majority of them short into the hands of Rathkenny goalkeeper John Martin who handled the greasy ball confidently. Rathkenny grew in confidence and Richie Timmons drew the sides level from play in the 17th minute with an excellent point from about 35 metres. Devereux had to wait until the 23rd minute to open his account from play, but Rathkenny found a perfect response when Colm Gore finished John Donegan's sideline to the net in the 25th minute. That goal inspired Rathkenny and they dominated the remainder of the half with points from a Brian Lenehan '45' and a Timmons free. Lenehan added another point from play in injury-time after he did well to keep Meade's wayward attempt from going wide. That gave Rathkenny a 1-5 to 0-3 interval advantage and they battled with great determination to maintain that advantage after the resumption. Curtis, who covered an enormous amount of ground, got Rathkenny off the mark with a point six minutes after the resumption and then Donal Keoghan and Gore had goal chances blocked. Cathal O'Dwyer eventually got Dunshaughlin going with a point, but five wides during the third-quarter left his side adrift by 0-4 to 1-6 at that stage. Dunshaughlin added two more points, Staunton and Devereux (free), but Meade sent over at the other end with five minutes remaining Dunshauighlin were handed a lifeline when Niall Murphy finished to the net, but Rathkenny's determination sustained them in the hectic closing minutes as Curtis popped up in his own defence to avert a couple of dangerous situations. "I don't know what Donal Curtis is on, but I wouldn't mind having some of it, he had a great game for us" quipped Rathkenny manager Dermot Smith (pictured) when he spoke to the Meath Chronicle. "It was a difficult game, very tricky conditions, but our players showed an awful lot of heart and desire to win "We are just delighted that our season is continuing and that we are into the knock-out phase now. "They're a great bunch of lads out in Rathkenny and I'm delighted to be involved with them we will just have to see how far we can go, but our next target is to prepare for St Ultan's," he concluded. Rathkenny - J Martin; D Timmons, J Macken, M Macken; D Keoghan, T McKeever, D Donegan; B Meade (0-1), R Curtis; B Lenehan (0-2 one '45'), J Donegan, D Smith; C Gore, R Timmons (1-2), D Curtis (0-2). Subs - B Carolan for J Donegan 40 mins, J Donegan for Gore 58m. Dunshaughlin - R Gogan; M Ahern, C King, K Ward; T Johnson, D Crimmins, E Hegarty; J Crimmins, R Maloney; C Devereux (0-4 three frees), N Kelly, C Staunton (0-1); M Reilly, N Murphy (1-0), C O'Dwyer (0-1). Subs - M McHale for Reilly 40 mins, R Keal;y for McKeever 47m, T Delaney for Staunton 50m. Referee - Marcus Quinn (Clann na nGael).