Lenihan feels cup final was great prep for Longford clash
DUNBOYNE clubman Donal Lenihan was the recipient of the Man of the Match award after Sunday’s O’Byrne Cup final in Mullingar following his scoring haul of 2-8.
It certainly wasn’t a difficult choice as the Meath attacker, brother of Blackburn Rovers soccer player Darragh, was the standout player over the 70 minutes.
Lenihan, who has established himself as a pivotal figure in the Meath attack, was happy with his scoring return as he looks forward to the championship opener against Longford.
‘In fairness the lads gave in a good supply of ball and I suppose it is my job to get the scores. I was pleased enough with the way it went,’ he said afterwards.
‘Losing a man early enough in the game made it tough and then we lost another in the second half, so we all had to dig in. It was good having this game today ahead of the Longford clash. It’s much better than a challenge or an internal gamethere was a championship feel to it.
Good weather and a hard ground, so that is probably what you are going to get in two weeks’ time.
‘Longford is going to be a massive game. That was good preparation there today. It is going to be one tough battle down there, but we are really looking forward to it. Lads are flying fit at present and we look to be in good shape going into the game.
‘We are getting a few lads back from injury as well. Cian O’Brien and Sean Curran got some game time today. They have worked hard to get back following lengthy injuries.
‘We know we are in for a tough battle. We played them in the O’Byrne Cup semi-final back in January and that went to a free-taking kicking contest, so it is going to be a tough one.
‘They have a really good championship record down in Pearse Park, and like ourselves this is the game that they will have been focusing on.’ TUESDAY MAY 15
Football B League at 7.30
Div 3: Dunboyne v Duleek-Bellewstown, M Ryan; Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Clann na nGael, R Tobin.
Div 4: Syddan v Summerhill, S Kerley; Dunsany v Dunderry, P Burke; St Ultan’s v Moynalty, H Clifford; Seneschalstown v Meath Hill, M Dawson; Simonstown Gaels v Cortown, K Sheerin. Div 5: Gaeil Colmcille v Carnaross, G Skelly; Ratoath v Navan O’Mahonys, H Whoriskey. Div 6: Wolfe Tones v Kilmainham, P Mooney.
WEDNESDAY MAY 16 Football B League at 7.30
Div 5: Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Dunshaughlin, H Whoriskey.
SATURDAY MAY 19
Netwatch Cullen Park: Carlow v Meath, Joe McDonagh Cup, 3.0, J Keane.
Football A League at 7.0 Div 2: Walterstown v Castletown, G McGivney; Nobber v Oldcastle, Padraic Coyle; St Michael’s v Seneschalstown, P Nelis; Ballinabrackey v Blackhall Gaels, O Ganly; Duleek-Bellewstown v Dunderry, C Reilly; Rathkenny v Syddan, P Burke.
SUNDAY MAY 20
Football A League at 3.0
Div 1: Skryne v Gaeil Colmcille, M Griffin; Navan O’Mahonys v Simonstown, D Gough; St Colmcille’s v Wolfe Tones, J Synnott; St Patrick’s v Dunshaughlin, L O’Brien; Dunboyne v Summerhill (11.30) R Morris; Moynalvey v Ratoath (6.0) B O’Brien; Donaghmore/Ashbourne v Na Fianna
(6.0) C McManus.
Div 2: Trim v Curraha (6.0), B Heaney.
Div 3: Cortown v Carnaross, P Mooney; Drumbaragh v Meath Hill, S O’Connor; Longwood v Bective (6.0) S Gahan; Clann na nGael v St Ultan’s (6.0) G Martyn; St Vincent’s v Ballinlough (6.0) P Clarke; Kilmainham v Dunsany (6.0) A Smith.
Div 4: Kilmainhamwood v Drumconrath; Slane v St Mary’s, K Sheerin; Ballivor v Clonard (6.0) M Quinn; Moynalty v Moylagh (6.0) M Dawson; Boardsmill v St Brigid’s (6.0).
MONDAY MAY 21
Football B League at 7.45
Div 1: Ratoath v Skryne, Summerhill v Simonstown Gaels, Gaeil Colmcille v Donaghmore/ Ashbourne, St Colmcille’s v St Patrick’s, Wolfe Tones v Dunboyne.
Div 2: Navan O’Mahonys v Na Fianna, Blackhall v Dunshaughlin, Seneschalstown v Nobber, Castletown v Trim (8.0).
Div 3: Rathkenny v Oldcastle, St Michael’s v Curraha (8.0), Ballinlough v Donaghmore/ Ashbourne (8.0).
Div 4: Dunderry v St Ultan’s, Bective v Dunsany (8.0), Cortown v Syddan (8.0).
Div 5: Kilbride v Ballinabrackey (8.0).
Div 6: Kilmainham v St Vincent’s, Ballivor v Kilmainhamwood.