Rematch for top-flight reward
They gave it their absolute all and they did their clubs, families and the county proud with the effort they put in. ST COLMCILLE’S are on the cusp of a quick return to Division 1 league football after securing third spot in Division 2 following their final-round win over Ballinabrackey - 2-18 to 0-16 - at Piltown on bank holiday Monday.
The win for the Cille’s sets up a promotion/relegation play-off with the third from bottom team in the top flight, Blackhall Gaels - a repeat of last year when Blackhall upset the odds 3-12 to 1-14 to gain promotion to the top tier at the expense of the seasiders.
Ratoath, who defeated Syddan 2-14 to 0-8, secured their place in Division 1 for the first time ever and they will be joined by Skryne following their 2-11 to 0-12 win over St Michael’s. It was winnertake-all for Skryne against the Carlanstown outfit and the victory sees them return to the top flight after just one season in Division 2.
Duleek-Bellewstown finished a clear fifth in the table following a 3-11 to 1-12 win over Dunderry, with Darren Mills, Stephen Nolan and Stephen McArdle scoring the goals for the winners.
Curraha made certain of retaining their Division 2 status following a 1-13 to 0-8 win over already-relegated Meath Hill. Conor Moriarty top-scored with 1-3, while James McEntee hit three points.
At the other end of the Division 2 table, Meath Hill and Ballinlough are relegated, while struggling Syddan face Bective in a play-off and defeat in that one will see them make a quick return to Division 3.
Back in Division 1, Wolfe Tones defeated Blackhall 2-19 to 0-5 to qualify for the final and they await the winners of a semi-final clash between county champions Simonstown Gaels and Summerhill.
Simonstown needed to beat neighbours Navan O’Mahony’s in their final game and they made no mistake with an emphatic 2-18 to 0-10 success. Nathan O’Brien and Padraig McKeever hit the winners’ goals in the opening half. Summerhill saw off Dunboyne in their final game 1-14 to 0-15.
Seneschalstown had late points from Niall Groome and Robert Wogan to force a 1-8 to 0-11 draw with Gaeil Colmcille, but it wasn’t enough to prevent them from the drop to Division 2.
Rathkenny made a quick return to the second tier following a 4-13 to 1-8 drubbing at the hands of Moynalvey, who they beat in last year’s Division 2 decider. James Macken accounted for the Rathkenny goal, while David McLoughlin hit 4-6 for the winners.
Slane recorded the victory of the round when overcoming previously unbeaten Cortown 1-13 to 0-15 to clinch third spot in Division 4 ahead of Kilbride and give themselves a chance of promotion. They now play the thirdfrom-bottom team in Division 3, either St Vincent’s or Kilmainham.
Ups and downs
Division 2 Division 3 Division 4