Murphy's late score helps Tara to another victory

Tara1-11

Boyne Valley0-13

Considering both these teams won their respective opening jousts it was hardly surprising, in hindsight, that this second round encounter went right down to the wire.

For a spell as the engaging contest drew to a conclusion the outcome hung in the balance. The teams were level and you wondered who would conjure up the piece of magic that would make the difference.

In the end it perhaps wasn't a piece of magic that worked for Tara but rather some clever play topped off with cool-headed composure. The clever play was seen in the way, with the seconds ticking and the sides level, Tara worked the ball downfield. They won a free about 20 metres out but at an awkward enough angle.

Step forward Dunsany's Cathal Murphy. He had converted two points earlier in the game but this was more testing. He stayed composed and slotted the ball between the posts using the breeze to his benefit. Tara were in front and shortly afterwards referee Henri Clifford sounded the final whistle. The Taramen had made it two from two ensuring their place in the semi-final.

A feature of this Regional FC is the quality of the football produced and there was plenty of swift-passing, inventive, enterprising football conjured up in this game - the only pity was there were so few there to witness the efforts of the players.

Driven and encouraged by Ger Robinson and Paul Nestor who patrol the touchline relentlessly Tara (who also have Gary Reynolds in their management team) faced into the steady breeze in the opening half and trailed 0-2 to 0-5 at one stage. Then they got a real foothold when from one of their forays forward they worked a goal, skilfully finished by the impressive Paul Kelly.

That really set them up for the second-half when they could utilise the elements themselves. Boyne Valley went close to getting a goal themselves - and the incident turned out to be one of the chief turning points in the game. Keith Curtis was hauled down powering through.

Penalty indcated match official Clifford. The same players got up dusted himself off and took the spot-kick. He hit it well too, with venom but Tara 'keeper Niall Flynn was equal to it. He drived to his right and turned the ball away. How vital that save turned out to be for his side. Tara could even afford to lose Rian Kealy to a black card (for conceding the penalty) and still win.

Murphy, the industrius Pierre Fox, Kelly, Declan Smyth, Dermot Carty and Jamie McWeeney all fired over points for the winners; the end products of some well constructed moves.

Boyne Valley too were well capable of stitching together measured, carefully worked attacks. They also had David Curtis and Keith Curtis who shared the free-taking duties with considerable efficiency. Barry O'Connell topped a tireless, hard-running display with two points. Mark Dowdall, Marty Mulhall, James O'Hare and Con Smith also fired over.

They played cleverly in combating the wind in the second-half. It just wasn't enough to subdue a fired up Tara side who were delighted with their win.

SCORERS

Tara - Paul Kelly 1-2; Pierre Fox 0-3 two frees; Cathal Murphy 0-3 frees; Dermot Carty 0-1; Jamie McWeeney 0-1; Declan Smyth 0-1.

Boyne Valley - David Curtis 0-4 three frees; Keith Curtis 0-3 two frees; Barry O'Connell 0-2; Mark Dowdall 0-1; Marty Mulhall 0-1; James O'Hare 0-1; Con Smith 0-1.

TEAMS

Tara - Niall Flynn (Dunsany); Pauraic Burke (Dunsany), Mark Dempsey (Kilbride), Hugh Smith (Blackhall Gaels); Conor Harkin (Dunsany), Eoin Harkin (Dunsany), Declan Smyth (Dunsany); Rian Kealy (Dunsany), Jamie McWeeney (Kilbride); Paul Kelly (Blackhall Gaels), Pierre Fox (Dunsany), Charlie O'Donnell (Dunsany); Cathal Murphy (Dunsany), Alan Nestor (Blackhall Gaels), Tommy Kinsella (Dunshaughlin). Subs - Dermot Carty (Blackhall Gaels) for Nestor 19 mins, Conor Mooney (Dunshaughlin) for O'Donnell 38m, Wes Goodwin (Dunshaughlin) for Kinsella 48m, O'Donnell for Carty 56m.

Boyne Valley - John Davis (Walterstown); Sean Martyn (Slane), James O'Hare (Rathkenny), Sean O'Hare (Rathkenny); Ciaran Cox (Walterstown), Francis Marry (Slane), Mark Dowdall (Bective); Donal Keogan (Rathkenny), Conor Farrelly (Walterstown); Cathal McConnell, Barry O'Connell (Walterstown), Matthew Cully; Con Smith, Keith Curtis (Rathkenny), Davy Curtis (Rathkenny). Subs - Marty Mulhall (Bective) for Cully, Donagh Garvey for Cox both half-time.

Referee - Henri Clifford (Ballivor).