29/08/2026
IHC Rd 4
St Peters Dunboyne 2-14 Clann na nGael 1-18
Venue: St Loman’s Park, Trim
On a day when all six forwards scored, both midfielders got on the scoresheet and Dunboyne had a total of ten different scorers, you would expect St Peters to have a great chance of winning. Unfortunately, that was not the case in a very damp St Loman’s Park this afternoon. The result leaves Dunboyne depending on other results to secure the final knockout position, with everything set up for an intriguing final round of the 2026 IHC.
Dunboyne were very slow out of the blocks and found themselves 1-07 (1x65) to 0-02 down midway through the first half. James Lonergan and Eric Lowndes had the early St Peters scores, but Dunboyne were guilty of a number of wides while Clann na nGael produced a near-flawless exhibition of shooting. By the 20th minute, the sides were still separated by eight points, with Sean Cregan converting a free and Diarmuid Delaney producing a monster score from distance, matching two points from play by the Clanns.
Dunboyne were to finish the half strongly, however. Conor Gilmartin, following great work from Dunboyne's best player on the day, Ciaran Lonergan, and Rory Callanan both raised white flags either side of another Cregan free. Then, in the 27th minute, confusion reigned in the Clann na nGael square and Eoghan McCormack reacted quickest, striking the ball along the ground and finding the back of the net.
Suddenly, Dunboyne were right back in the contest, trailing by just three points at half-time: Dunboyne 1-07 (2f), Clann na nGael 1-10 (1f, 1x65).
Eric Lowndes had a goal chance saved with the first attack of the second period, only for Clann na nGael to go straight up the field and register the opening score of the half. Cregan added two frees over the next ten minutes, while McCormack and Gilmartin also added to their individual tallies. In the 15th minute, McCormack grabbed his second major of the afternoon, again with a ground strike, to put the Black and Ambers in front for the first time. Niall Smyth followed up shortly afterwards with a tidy point, leaving Dunboyne four ahead midway through the second half: Dunboyne 2-12 (4f), Clann na nGael 1-12 (2f, 1x65).
The Green and Gold pulled one back from a placed ball in the 18th minute following a decision by the referee to overturn a Dunboyne free 30 yards out and award Clann na nGael a 45-yard free, dead straight in front of goal. That decision certainly changed the complexion of the game, turning what could have been a four-point Dunboyne lead into a two-point advantage.
Conor Murphy and Liam Callanan, both from play, pushed the lead back out to four points by the 21st minute. However, those were to prove Dunboyne's final scores of the afternoon. Clann na nGael finished strongly, using their bench to good effect and scoring the final five points of the game, including a free, to sn**ch victory by the minimum.
Final score: St Peters Dunboyne 2-14 (4f), Clann na nGael 1-18 (4f, 1x65).
With Rathmolyon and Drumree now confirmed in first and second place respectively, the final knockout position will go to either Dunboyne or today's victors. Both teams have four points, but unfortunately for Dunboyne, Clann na nGael now hold the head-to-head advantage and that could prove crucial.
Both sides face tough assignments in the final round, with Dunboyne taking on already-qualified Rathmolyon and Clann na nGael facing Drumree. With everything still to play for, the final round of the 2026 IHC promises plenty of intrigue.
St Peters Dunboyne
Shane Nolan; Fergal Chawke; Evan McCrudden; Eoghan Pearl; Ciaran Lonergan; Diarmuid Delaney (0-01); Jamie McCormack; Conor Gilmartin (0-02); James Lonergan (0-01); Rory Callanan (0-01); Eric Lowndes (0-01); Conor Murphy (0-01); Sean Cregan (0-04f); Eoghan McCormack (2-01); Niall Smyth (0-01).
Bench: Liam Callanan (0-01) for Jamie McCormack, 36 mins; Niall Hackett for Niall Smyth, 51 mins.
Report by Eamon Murphy
Nallys SuperValu Dunboyne
