After topping their group Summerhill travelled to Pairc Tailteann to take on Skryne in the Senior Championship Quarter final on a dry but breezy day on Sunday. Summerhill certainly would not be taking the challenge lightly as the Skryne men were one of only two teams to beat Summerhill in the League this year.

Summerhill got off to a good start going into a four point to no score lead after 10 minutes, 3 of the points coming from Conor Lyons frees as well as an effort from play from David Larkin. Skryne hit back with 2 points of their own to close the gap. The Skryne men upped their game in the second quarter, getting to within a point of Summerhill on two occasions as Summerhill struggled for consistency playing into the wind. Indeed Summerhill were fortunate not to concede a goal in the second quarter when Summerhill’s goalkeeper Tony McDonnell got the slightest of touches to a shot to deflect the ball on to the post and away to safety. Minutes later another Skryne shot struck the crossbar and was cleared away. Summerhill closed out the half with an Eoghan Frayne point from play and another Conor Lyons free to see them leading somewhat fortunately  by 0-8 to 0-5 at the break.

With the breeze now favoring them Summerhill began the 2nd half with intent by hitting 1-3 with out reply in the opening 5 minutes to stretch the lead out to 9. The Summerhill goal coming from John Lavelle who was a half time replacement for the injured Iarla Hughes. Good interplay between Diarmuid McCabe and Eoghan Frayne who found Lavelle on the edge of the square who palmed the ball to the net. Summerhill were now well in control of the game at this stage and added another 4 points before Skryne finally got off the mark in the 2nd half with a brace of points. Any faint hope of a come back was quashed with a second goal from Summerhill. Conor Frayne found in running midfielder Adam Flanagan who coolly rolled the ball into the back of the Skryne net in the 20th minute of the half. Summerhill added another four points without a reply to run out comfortable winners. Next up for Summerhill is a clash with defending champions Wolfe Tones in 2 weeks time.

Full Time Score: Summerhill  2-19 Skryne  0-8

Team:  Tony McDonnell; Iarla Hughes, Ronan Ryan, Padraig Jennings; Padhraig Geraghty (c), Ross Ryan, Adam McDonnell; Conor Lyons, Adam Flanagan; David Larkin, Diarmuid McCabe, Kevin Ryan; Conor Frayne, Davy Dalton, Eoghan Frayne.

Subs – John Lavelle for Hughes (ht), Micheal Byrne for Dalton (42), Willie Ryan for Geraghty (48), Liam Shaw for K Ryan (50), Barry Dardis for E Frayne (50)

Scorers:  Conor Lyons 0-8 (7f); Adam Flanagan 1-0; John Lavelle 1-0; Conor Frayne 0-3; Eoghan Frayne 0-2; Diarmuid McCabe 0-2 (1f); Liam Shaw 0-1; David Larkin 0-1; Padraig Geraghty 0-1; Kevin Ryan 0-1.

Referee – Keith Sheerin (Drumconrath)