Dunboyne down Donaghmore/Ashbourne in dour semi-final

Today's SFC semi-final in Pairc Tailteann will not live long in the memory, but Dunboyne won't care less as they edged out Donaghmore/Ashbourne by 0-9 to 0-5 to secure their place in the Keegan Cup decider on Sunday 7th November.

Scores were scarce as the sides kicked more wides between them, but ultimately it was Dunboyne's 'flourish' between the 16th and 38th minute that proved decisive.

To describe it as a 'flourish' is a slight exaggeration as Dunboyne moved from a 0-1 to 0-2 deficit into a 0-6 to 0-2 lead in that 22 minute spell and never looked back as Donaghmore/Ashbourne lacked the necessary punch up front with none of their players managing more than one score.

After falling into early arrears Dunboyne clipped over points from David McEntee, just before the water break, and from Cathal Finn and Gavin McCoy, shortly after the refreshments, to lead by 0-4 to 0-2 at the interval.

Donal Lenihan and Stuart Lowndes stretched that advantage to four before Donaghmore/Ashbourne narrowed the gap again with points from Darragh McGovern and Thomas McGovern.

However, that was as good as it got for Mick Deegan's men as Finn made it 0-7 to 0-4 before the second water break and in injury-time Finn and Conor Bradley put the icing on the cake with the last two insurance scores.

SCORERS

Dunboyne - Donal Lenihan 0-2 one free, one '45'; Cathal Finn 0-3; David McEntee 0-1; Gavin McCoy 0-1; Stuart Lowndes 0-1; Conor Bradley 0-1.

Donaghmore/Ashbourne - Michael Deegan 0-1 free; Dylan Brady 0-1; Darragh McGovern 0-1; Thomas McGovern 0-1; Shane Melia 0-1.

Read Fergal Lynch's full match report in Tuesday's Meath Chronicle.