SUMMERHILL…0-30
ST COLMCILLE’S…1-16
At some stage in life, it’s probable we’ve all been told never to judge a book by its cover. The wise words were most certainly apt for deployment in relation to this final quarter final of the Fairyhouse Steel Meath SFC for 2026, played in St Loman’s Park, Trim on Sunday evening.
The final tally – which saw the reigning and defending Keegan Cup holders advancing to the penultimate stage of said defence with 11 points to spare – would suggest that Dave Clare’s side were given a relaxing early evening by the folks from beside the seaside.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Eight minutes into the second period, Mickey Conlon’s troops led the champs by 1-13 to 0-14 and were value for every bit of it. Total football is a phrase you often hear bandied about and, rightly or wrongly, my interpretation of same has always implied a team who can, quite literally, attack and/or defend from anywhere on the pitch.
Again, that’s the lump hammer straight on the nine inch nail in terms of articulating the characteristics of the current custodians of Tom Keegan. Something underlined by the fact that their first three scores in the match arrived courtesy of defenders Ben Moran, Padhraig Geraghty and outstanding wing back Jamie O’Shea – who switched wings from left to right – but stole forward at will and bagged a brace.
Add to that the Frayne brothers, well, doing what they do, and the nine time county kingpins wracking up 14 points in double quick time becomes very easy to understand. Conversely though, while the Louth border outfit took a while to find their stride, once they did, scores came in a glut via a David Bell goal and points from Kyle O’Brien, Eoghan McCloghan, Bell and the ever reliable boot of Ben Brennan.
All of which meant that – almost completely against the run of play, the half time score read 1-11 to 0-14. When, as hinted at above, Conlon’s crew – despite the incalculable loss of the boss’s son James – hit the first two scores of the second half for a brief period it appeared the most unlikely might be about to happen.
But then, there are often very subtle differences which set the really top teams apart from the rest. In this case, almost without anyone noticing, driven on by captain Liam Shaw – who would be a shoo-in for most improved footballer in the county of there was such a gong – the blue and gold hit their opponents with a barrage of scores via Shaw, Adam McDonnell, Conor Frayne, Eoghan Frayne and their not so secret weapon Sean Muddiman.
And, as stated at the beginning hereof, the chasm between the sides at the end is in no way reflective of the closeness of the contest. With the abundance of underage talent the Cilles continually produce, it’s surely only a matter of time before they make an even bigger impact at the highest level.
For now though, the current occupants of the throne will take some dislodging.
Scorers: Summerhill – E. Frayne (0-9), S. Muddiman (0-6), L. Shaw (0-4), K. Ryan (0-3), J. O’Shea and A. McDonnell (0-2 each), B. Moran, P. Geraghty, C. Frayne and D. Larkin (0-1 each).
St Colmcille’s – B. Brennan (0-7), D. Bell (1-1), K. O’Brien and E. McCloghan (0-2 each), A. Beakey, L. Stafford, C. O’Donoghue and D. Ehichoya (0-1 each).
Referee – Pat Coyle (Curraha)
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