Na Fianna’s Sean Rafferty with David Larkin Summerhill during the Meath SFC quarter final at Pairc Tailteann.

A scoring blitz of 1-5 in the opening seven minutes set Summerhill up for an emphatic win over neighbours Na Fianna at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday evening. 

Summerhill …… 3-19
Na Fianna …….. 1-11

Apart from a brief spell in the second quarter, Summerhill’s lead was never threatened. Barry Dardis top scored with eight points (five frees) for the ‘Hill. His penalty wide at the old swimming pool end in the last action of the first-half was a mere blip in the context of the game. 

Summerhill – who topped Group B – led 1-10 to 1-6 at half-time. Within four minutes of resumption, Dardis landed two frees before placing Kevin Ryan for his side’s second goal. 

That left it 2-12 to 1-6 and business was done and dusted. Summerhill decorated the remainder of the game with some fine scores. Liam Shaw’s 38th minute effort stood out as well as Dardis trio of points from play. 

Na Fianna had a couple of goal chances. Harrison Silke fired over in the 41st minute. Shortly after Jamie Queeney punched effort was comfortably dealt with by Tony McDonnell. 

Na Fianna sub ‘keeper Conor Heffernan denied Summerhill two more goals in the final quarter with a brace of saves.

David Larkin’s second minute goal was the highlight of the early spree. Owen McDonnell’s eighth minute goal lifted the Baconstown-Enfield-Rathmoylon outfit somewhat.

With 20 minutes gone Na Fianna had the deficit down to a goal, 1-8 to 1-5, thanks mainly to Shane Walsh’s pointed frees. That was as good as it for Dudley Farrell’s side. 

Before Owen McDonnell opened their second-half account, Na Fianna were nine points in arrears. 

Whenever Summerhill were threatened they responded with sufficient scores to keep Na Fianna at bay. 

When shooting into the town goal in the second-half Summerhill outscored their opponents by 2-9 to 0-5. By the end the winners’ 22 scores were compiled by nine players. 

Summerhill’s third goal came in the 58th minute with David Larkin netting his second of the evening. 

A disappointing to the campaign for Na Fianna, for Summerhill one step towards their goal.

A semi-final meeting with Simonstown is the reward for last year’s runners-up

Summerhill – Tony McDonnell; John Keane, Padraig Jennings, John Lavelle; Padraig Geraghty, Ross Ryan (0-1), David Dalton; Ronan Ryan, Diarmuid McCabe (0-4); Paul Larkin (0-1), Kevin Ryan (1-0), David Larkin (2-1); Barry Dardis (0-8, 5 fs), Liam Shaw (0-2), Sean Dalton (0-1). Subs – Willie Ryan for Lavelle (38), Conor Frayne for S Dalton (51), Michael Byrne (0-1) for Shaw (53), Stephen Husband for Geraghty (58) Conor Lyons for Dardis (59), Iarla Hughes for Jennings (62).  

Na Fianna – Shane Geraghty; Sean Rafferty, James Geoghan, Barry Slevin; Luke Kelly, Anthony Neary, Michael Farley; Ethan Devine (0-1 45), Shane Walsh (0-5, 2fs); Daniel Queeney (0-1), Sean Martin, Owen McDonnell (1-1); Harrison Silke (0-1), Jamie Queeney (0-1), Conor Downey (0-1). Subs – Oran Smullen for Geoghan (27), Conor Heffernan for Geraghty (36), Oisin McCloskey for Kelly (47), Jack McNally for J Queeney (51), John Baldwin for Neary (60 + 2).

Referee – David Coldrick (Blackhall Gaels)