Dunboyne remain in pole position at the top of Meath GAA Division 1 league

Former county player Donal Lenihan accounted for 2-7 of the winners’ tally with both goals, the first from a penalty, coming in the opening half as Dunboyne built-up an early 2-3 to 0-2 lead. Craig Lowndes struck for a third goal and it left Ger Robinson’s side with a commanding, 3-4 to 0-6 interval lead.

With Lenihan continuing his sparkling form and substitute Cian Smith pouncing for a fourth goal, Dunboyne maintained their comfortable advantage until the final whistle.

Brian Hanlon accounted for four second half points for the Kells men to take his tally to five for the hour, while John and Andrew Gormley contributed two points apiece.

Nearest challengers Donaghmore/Ashbourne and Ballinabrackey both slipped up in their pursuit of the Dunboyne men. In form Skryne defeated Ashbourne, 2-12 to 2-6, while Ballinabrackey’s unbeaten run ended in Baconstown as Na Fianna came out on top, 1-12 to 2-8.

Mark Coffey scored an early goal for Ballinabrackey to go with the opening point from Damien Carroll. Na Fianna came into the game following a slow start and after hitting the last two points of the half, had reduced the deficit to the minimum at the break, 0-6 to 1-4.

The Baconstown/Enfield combination then made the best possible start to the second half with a goal and three points to take a commanding lead. David Carroll pulled a goal back for the Bracks before Damien Carroll picked up a second yellow card and his dismissal proved costly.

Holders Ratoath moved into contention following their third win of the campaign, a 1-10 to 0-10 victory over Wolfe Tones who slipped into the relegation zone.

St Colmcille’s are also finding the going tough after a promising start and they went down to their third defeat following their visit to Simonstown. The north-Navan side came out on top, 2-9 to 1-6, for their first win of the campaign.

Simonstown hit two goals in the opening 10 minutes before Ben Brennan got Cille’s back in contention with a three-pointer on 19 minutes. However, at the break, Simonstown led by 2-5 to 1-3. The hosts hit the opening point of the second half to lead by double scores and Cille’s were never able to force themselves back into contention after that.

Navan O’Mahony’s are still firmly rooted at the bottom of the table following a fifth successive defeat, this time to Summerhill, 0-17 to 1-8.

The Hill built-up an early, seven-point advantage before O’Mahony’s hit a purple patch during which Shane Maguire, Cormac Keyes, Louis Collins, Oisín O’Brien and Robbie Keelaghan all point to reduce the deficit to two. Summerhill eventually led by 0-10 to 0-7 at half-time

That advantage stretched to six within 10 minutes of the second half before O’Brien gave O’Mahony’s renewed hope with a goal. However, Summerhill regained the initiative to record a comfortable victory.

Seneschalstown’s fifth straight win left them well clear of the chasing pact at the top of Division 2. A feature of their wins to date that been their scoring prowess and they hit another impressive tally in the victory over Moynalvey, 4-15 to 2-7, at Fr Tully Park.

After rattling the net three times in the opening half, Seneschalstown were well on their way to victory when leading by 3-8 to 1-3 at half-time. Alan Mulvany (two) and Darren O’Brien struck for the goals in the half.

Mulvaney top-scored with 2-3, while the impressive Eoin Finnegan hit five points. Seneschalstown, who were without the services of talisman Cathal Finnegan, had their fourth goal from substitute David Fox.

Duleek-Bellewstown won the east-Meath derby when coming out on top over St Patrick’s, 1-12 to 0-13, at Tony Callaghan Park. The wins leaves Duleek-Bellewstown in second spot, ahead of Oldcastle on score difference after the north-Meath side defeated Syddan, 2-10 to 0-9.

The concession of two early goals proved costly for Syddan and by the end of the opening quarter, Oldcastle led by 2-4 to 0-1, with Keith Connell and Paul Hennessy accounting for the goals. It was 2-7 to 0-2 at half-time but Syddan improved in the second half with seven points by Dáire Rowe to go with the two he got in the first half.

Trim lost ground on the leading pack after going down to a heavy defeat, 3-18 to 1-9, to St Michael’s. Meath Hill suffered a second defeat when losing to Dunshaughlin, 2-9 to 0-10.

Two wins in the space of five days has put Rathkenny firmly in contention in Division 3. Keith Curtis struck eight points as they defeated Nobber, 1-18 to 3-9. Christy Meade got the goal and they followed that up with a 3-5 to 1-9 win over Dunsany.

A penalty goal by substitute Eoghan Heavey late on proved the decisive score. Dunsany were ahead by 1-5 to 1-4 at half-time with the Rathkenny goal coming from Joey Curtis. Daniel Gavagan accounted for Rathkenny’s other goal.

St Vincent’s maintained their push for promotion when sharing the spoils with table-toppers Donaghmore/Ashbourne, 0-9 each. Ashbourne were ahead by 0-4 to 0-3 at half-time and still led by the minimum until Patrick Arnold hit the equalising point in the final minute. Michael McIvor top-scored for the Ardcath men with five points.

In Division 5, Slane maintained their perfect start with a fifth successive win following a 6-17 to 2-7 success over neighbours Seneschalstown. They led by 3-9 to 0-2 at half-time and continued their high scoring rate throughout the second half. Matthew Tully and Éanna Mooney both scored a brace of goals, while substitutes Ethan Harding and Jack Tully also found the net.