Summerhill 1-13
Na Fianna 1-10
SUMMERHILL SURVIVED A second-half wobble in Navan to eventually secure their second Meath SFC title in three seasons.
Leading by six points with 20 minutes to go, the 2011 champions looked all set for another comfortable title.
But they were made to sweat by neighbours and 2012 intermediate champions Na Fianna who fought back to parity with 11 minutes remaining.
The sides were still deadlocked on 1-10 apiece with four minutes to go but three late Summerhill scores sealed a slightly flattering three point win.
Paul Rispin, sub Richie Hatton and Adrian Kenny were all on the mark in the closing minutes.
It was tough on Enfield outfit Na Fianna who fought back bravely in search of a first ever title.
But Summerhill’s big game experience ultimately came to bear with Meath midfielder Conor Gillespie earning the man-of-the-match award.
Summerhill had the perfect start with 1-1 inside the opening two minutes, David Larkin netting after just 40 seconds.
But Na Fianna showed character to reply with 1-1 themselves. Dalton McDonagh hit a bizarre goal as he controlled a ball that had ran across goal and along the end line before eventually converting.
Summerhill took control again to lead by 1-7 to 1-4 at half-time and the margin was out to six with 40 minutes on the clock.
Six Na Fianna points in a row hauled them back but Summerhill finished strongest and will now face Tullamore or Newtown Blues in the Leinster club championship.
Summerhill: T McDonnell; W Ryan, P Geraghty, C Young; P Jennings, A Lyons, S Husband (0-1); C Gillespie, M Byrne (0-1; 1f); D Larkin (1-0), B Ennis (0-4; 4f), A Kenny (0-2); P Rispin (0-1), S Dalton (0-2), B Dardis (0-1).Subs: K Ryan for Dardis 48, R Hatton (0-1) for Husband 53, S Kennedy for Rispin 56.
Na Fianna: S Geraghty; D Bailey, C Cosgrave, J Baldwin; D Henrick (0-2), M Foley (0-1), M Farley; O Lewis, J Queeney; C Downey (0-1), D Queeney (0-2), B Queeney; D McDonagh (1-0), T Cosgrave, S Barrett (0-3; 3f).
Subs: D Barrett (0-1) for B Queeney h/t, H Silke for Downey 59, M Collins for Farley 62.
Referee: P Nelis (Kilmainham).
