Lyons roars back into Keegan final
Summerhill 3-12 Don/Ash 2-7
SUMMERHILL boss John Lyons will be hoping for third time lucky when his side contest this year’s SFC decider in two weeks’ time following this semi-final win at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.
Lyons was the losing manager 12 months ago when Simonstown completed their two-in-a-row and he also suffered the pain of defeat in the 2013 final with Na Fianna, when ironically enough they lost to Summerhill.
The outcome of this one was in doubt at half-time, with the ‘Hill leading 0-6 to 0-3, a precarious enough lead considering they had played with a stiff breeze in the opening half.
Doubts that Summerhill wouldn’t make it back to another final were dispelled within five minutes of the second half, though, as they added a goal and two points to their tally.
The goal arrived after a handling error by keeper Jack Hannigan on 33 minutes, leaving Davy Dalton with the simple task of finishing to the net. Barry Dardis then added two quick points to strengthen his side’s grip on the game.
Ashbourne responded with a goal of their own from Gary Sweeney, their recent acquisition from Dublin club St Sylvester’s on 38 minutes. They cut the deficit to three points heading into the final quarter following scores from Dylan Brady and Stephen Carton, but their challenge evaporated after that.
Sean Dalton got Summerhill back on track with a point and Barry Dardis then made certain of his side’s place in the final with two quickfire goals. The first was a tap-in following a move involving Davy Dalton and Willie Ryan. Dardis’ second goal from a John Lavelle pass left it 3-9 to 1-5.
Andrew Tormey netted for Ashbourne on 54 minutes, but at that stage it was of the consolation variety.
Donaghmore/Ashbourne must have fancied their chances in the early stages after opening up a 0-3 to 0-1 lead. However, they failed to add to their first-half tally after Bryan Menton’s seventh-minute point.
Davy Dalton’s point on 23 minutes left the sides level and Barry Dardis then hit the last three points of the half. The Ashbourne men had a goal opportunity just before the break, but Colm O Mealoid was unable to force the ball over the line despite getting two attempts. SUMMERHILL: Tony McDonnell; Iarla Hughes, Caolan Young, John Lavelle; Stephen Husband, Willie Ryan, Padraig Geraghty; Micheál Byrne, John Keane; Kevin Ryan 0-2, David Larkin 0-1, Cian Devlin; Sean Dalton 0-2, Barry Dardis 2-6 (3f), Davy Dalton 1-1. Subs: Ross Ryan for Husband (39), Liam Shaw for S Dalton (56), Ciaran Gillespie for Keane (59), Paul Larkin for D Dalton (60).
DONAGHMORE/ASHBOURNE: Jack Hannigan; Iarlaith O’Donnell, Cormac McGill, Sean Curran; Conor Carton, Colm O Mealoid, Paul Gilligan 0-3 (2f); Shane Melia 0-1, Bryan Menton 0-1; James Crumlish, Darragh McGovern, Thomas McGovern; Dylan Brady 0-1, Andrew Tormey 1-0, Gary Sweeney 1-0. Subs: Jack Giles for O Mealoid (36), Leo Reilly for Crumlish (44), Stephen Carton 0-1 for O’Donnell (44), Kevin Lanigan for Brady (55).
REF: David Coldrick (Blackhall Gaels)