Summerhill travelled to Pairc Tailteann on Sunday to take on Na Fianna in the final group game in the Senior Championship. With both teams already assured of a quarter final place top spot in the group was at stake as well of course as local bragging rights. Summerhill got off to a very slow start with Na Fianna racing into a 4 points to no score lead with in the first 5 minutes. Summerhill got their first score of the game in the 7th minute from a Conor Frayne free following a foul on Ross Ryan. Frayne put over a second free after been fouled himself as he bared down on goal in the 13th minute. In the 18th minute of the half Summerhill struck for their first goal. Summerhill goal keeper Tony McDonnell made a point blank save from Ethan Devine, the ball was worked forward and after some patient build up Ross Ryan was fouled. Conor Frayne’s free dropped short but Davy Dalton rose highest to get a touch to divert the ball past the Na Fianna goalkeeper. Summerhill made it 4 scores in a row with a well take point by Kevin Ryan in the 20th minute after good work by Conor Frayne. Na Fianna dominated the last 10 minutes of the half adding 4 point to Summerhill 1 to go in at the break leading by 0-8 to 1-4. As Summerhill went in at the break they would have been happy to have recovered from the slow start but knowing they had missed several decent scoring chances, not helped a difficult swirling breeze that was making scoring difficult.
Summerhill got off to a great start to the 2nd half. Within the first minute good work between Davy Dalton Kevin Ryan and Conor Frayne ended with Frayne palming the ball to the back of the net. This was quickly followed by a Liam Shaw point from a free and a fine point from play from David Larkin to stretch the Summerhill lead to 4. Summerhill did not keep up the pressure and allowed right Na Fianna back into the game when the hit 4 unanswered points to draw the sides level with 10 minutes left on the clock. Two pointed frees from substitute Barry Dardis and a fisted effort from Padhraig Geraghty steadied the ship for Summerhill and were enough to finally see of a the Na Fianna challenge. Summerhill wasted 2 late chances to score an insurance point but held on to win 2-9 to 0-12. Summerhill will be happy enough to come away with he win but know that they will need to improve if they are to make further progress in the senior championship. Summerhill will be in the group winners pot for the quarter final draw and could face Gaeil Colmcille, Skryne or neighbours Moynalvey.
Team: – Tony McDonnell; Iarla Hughes, Ronan Ryan, Padraig Jennings; Padraig Geraghty (0-1), Ross Ryan, Adam McDonnell; Jamie O’Shea, Adam Flanagan; David Larkin (0-1); Diarmuid McCabe, Kevin Ryan (0-1); Davy Dalton (1-0), Conor Frayne (1-3, 3f) Liam Shaw (0-1, 1f).
Subs – John Lavelle for Jennings ; Michael Byrne for O’Shea, Barry Dardis (0-2, 2f) for Dalton, Caolan Young for K Ryan (60). Eamonn McDonnell for Shaw (Blood).