Drama-filled Sunday almost knocks out the champions
A round-up of proceedings in an action-packed drama-filled final round of the SFC group-stage
The final round of the group stage in the SFC did look very enticing in the lead up but noone could have predicted the drama that was about to about to unfold. A hectic Sunday had keen Meath GAA fans at various games keeping one eye on the game in front of them and another on social media for results elsewhere.
Dunsany was the venue for the thrilling clash between SFC champions Dunshaughlin and the unbeaten and impressive Trim. In a match that was being witnessed by the cameras of TG4 as part of a highlight package, the champions were stunned for a second time in this years championship when six minutes into injury time, Tom Carmody edged Trim ahead. In his match report this week’s for the Meath Chronicle, Jimmy Geoghegan described Carmody’s winning point as a “Hollywood moment for the ages”.
Trim had secured top spot in the group and the champions were out, or so we thought. Attention turned to Pairc Tailteann, where Rathkenny were leading Meath Hill with very little time left on the clock. As it stood, Rathkenny and Trim were headed to the knock-out stages. Meath Hill’s Cormac Sheehy had other ideas though and he broke the ‘Raths’ hearts with a late two-pointer much to the delight of the Dunshaughlin supporters who thought their defeat in Dunsany had ended their reign as champions.
Sheehy’s two-pointer was not enough for Meath Hill to escape the relegation semi-final but it meant that Dunshaughlin and Trim progressed to the quarter-finals.
Word spread around the county of the drama that had unfolded in Group C, but there was little time to digest as the final round of Group A fixtures was about to get underway. When the draw for the SFC was made all those months ago, this group was the one that caught the eye. 2023 champions Summerhill were drawn alongside the two beaten semi-finalists from last year, Skryne and St Peter’s and the dogged 2020 finalists Gaeil Colmcille completed the star studded line up.
The state of play heading into Sunday was not what many had predicted. Skryne were in pole position with two wins on the board. Summerhill’s win over St Peter’s made them favourites to qualify in second but there was still hope for the Kells and Dunboyne outfit, depending on how proceedings played out.
Mick O’Dowd’s side sent a warning message to the rest of the county as they made it three wins from three in the group of death with a two-point victory over Summerhill. At the same time in Trim, St Peter’s were making an incredible late burst in Trim to try and keep their Keegan Cup hopes alive.
St Peter’s needed to win by 15 points to advance and with 10 minutes remaining, they were a long way off that as they only held a five point advantage. Two goals in quick succession gave them hope and with very little time left they were within two points of their target winning margin. With the last kick of the game, Michael Murphy's shot on goal was stopped on the line by Rian Early and that block single-handedly ended Robinson’s side's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.
Summerhill rejoiced in Navan, St Peter’s were dejected in Trim. The whole county caught their breath after a drama filled incredibly exciting day of action in the Meath SFC.
Saturday did not provide the same level of drama as Sunday but there was one headline story to come out of Group B where Ballinabrackey’s victory over Seneschalstown earned them a place in the SFC quarter-finals for the first time in their 150 year history. In the same group, Ratoath eased to victory over a struggling St Colmcille’s side to seal top spot. In Group D wins for Wolfe Tones and Donaghmore/Ashbourne saw them progress in first and second respectively.
Be sure to pick up a copy of this weeks Meath Chronicle for reports and photographs from all the weekend action in the SFC and various games from the rest of the Meath football championships.