John Lavelle’s 58th minute goal snatched a narrow win for Summerhill over Wolfe Tones in this SFC round two fixture at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday afternoon. 

Summerhill …… 2-6
Wolfe Tones …… 0-10

Summerhill – who have lost the last three SFC finals – showed commendable spirit to dig out the win here. 

Wolfe Tones – who recovered well from a bad start – were unable to close the game out when in the ascendancy and but for miscued efforts might have posted their second win. Summerhill restricted the ‘Tones to just two second-half scores, Oisin Martin’s 42nd minute effort followed by Thomas O’Reilly’s sixth score two minutes later.

Both teams finished with 14 players with Summerhill losing Michael Byrne to a 47th minute yellow card, having earlier received a black card.  Despite that setback, Summerhill had the initiative with two Dardis frees trimming the deficit to the minimum before the decisive score. 

Wolfe Tones lost Shane Glynn for his second yellow card near the end as they were chasing that narrow deficit. Summerhill lost three players to black cards between the 12th and 30th minutes. Paul Larkin and Eamonn McDonnell were the other recipients of this sanction. 

The decisive score, set up by sub Kevin Ryan, ensured Summerhill a second win of the campaign. Just as in their round one win over Moynalvey, it was achieved with a strong finish.  Operating towards the town goal, but into the breeze, Summerhill were first to show. Within seconds of the off wing-back Jack Bannon was fouled. Barry Dardis expertly netted the resultant penalty. David Larkin added a point with help from Ronan Ryan the south county side were four to the good. 

Wolfe Tones gradually worked their way back, gaining parity three times before two Thomas O’Reilly frees edged his team in front with a 27th minute free.  Summerhill lost Eamonn McDonnell to a 30th minute black card for the foul that led to the final score of the half.It was 0-8 to 1-3 at the break. Having outscored Summerhill by 0-8 to 0-2 from the fourth minute, Wolfe Tones led by 0-8 to 1-3 at the break. When Thomas O’Reilly completed their tally the ‘Tones were 0-10 to 1-4 ahead heading into the final quarter.

Wolfe Tones pressed to snatch something from this fixture and were unfortunate that a Thomas O’Reilly 45 rebounded off the crossbar as hopes of a second group win ebbed away. 

Next up – Wolfe Tones v Moynalvey, Fri Aug 28, Skryne, 19:30
Curraha v Summerhill, Fri Aug 28, Ashbourne, 19.30

Scorers: Summerhill – Barry Dardis 1-5 (1-0 pen. 0-3fs ), John Lavelle 1-0; David Larkin 0-1.

Wolfe Tones – Thomas O’Reilly 0-6 (fs), Saran O Fionnagain 0-2; Niall O’Reilly, Oisin Martin 0-1 each. 

Summerhill – Tony McDonnell; Ross Ryan, Ronan Ryan, Iarla Hughes; Jack Bannon, John Keane, John Lavelle; Diarmuid McCabe, Michael Byrne; David Larkin, Liam Shaw, Eamonn McDonnell; Paul Larkin, Conor Frayne, Barry Dardis. Subs – Kevin Ryan for McDonnell (43), David Dalton for Larkin (53), Jamie O’Shea for Shaw (60 + 2)

Wolfe Tones – Oisin Corrigan; Brughach O Fionnagain, Robert White; Conor Sheppard, Dan O’Neill, Shane Glynn, Eanna O’Kelly-Lynch; Alan Callaghan, Niall O’Reilly; 
Stephen Sheppard, Cian Ward, Oisin Martin; Saran O Fionnagain, Thomas O’Reilly, Fiachra Ward. Subs – Cian O’Neill for C Ward (56).