In a game remarkably similar to the sides' earlier league meeting, Kilmessan's ability to find the net proved decisive once again. Three first-half goals left St. Peter's Dunboyne facing an uphill battle, but just as they had done in the previous encounter, the visitors showed tremendous character to fight back. While they reduced the deficit to just three points in the league clash, this time they closed the gap to six by the final whistle after a spirited second-half display in the evening sunshine in Kilmessan.

Sean Delaney opened the scoring inside the first minute with a fine point. Kilmessan responded with 1-02 (1f) before Delaney doubled both his own and Dunboyne's tally after 10 minutes. He almost found the net shortly afterwards, but his effort drifted narrowly wide of the goalkeeper's left-hand post.

The home side then enjoyed a dominant spell, adding a further 1-05 (1f) before Joel Mangan finally halted the run with a converted free. The score came after Harry Clarke-Murphy was fouled following some excellent approach play from Marcus McGinn, who had created the opening.

There was a hint of controversy surrounding Kilmessan's third goal in the 29th minute, with suggestions of a square ball, but referee Eamonn Barry was satisfied that the corner-forward timed his run correctly after the ball had arrived. Kilmessan added another point a minute later before Mangan had the final say of the half from another placed ball. Half-time: Kilmessan 3-08 (2f), St. Peter's Dunboyne 0-04 (2f)

Kilmessan resumed where they had left off, scoring within a minute of the restart before adding another three minutes later to stretch their advantage to 3-10 to 0-04 — a daunting 15-point lead. To their immense credit, however, this young Dunboyne side refused to surrender. Over the next ten minutes they outscored the home side 0-04 (1f) to 0-01, with Joel Mangan (free), Sean Delaney (2) and Charlie Gallagher all raising white flags.

Gallagher's score was the pick of the bunch, arriving after an excellent team move. Mangan's clever sideline cut found Eoghan MacDonald, whose pinpoint long delivery picked out Gallagher, and "Gally" split the posts with a superb finish.

In the 18th minute, Daniel Slevin produced one of the moments of the match, making a superb point-blank save to deny Kilmessan another goal. Delaney added another point shortly afterwards before the home side replied with a free.

At this stage, the Dunboyne defence had really tightened up, limiting the Kilmessan attack to a measly four points in the second half. Tadgh Brennan and Pierce Hayes were particularly impressive as the visitors built the platform for a dramatic two-goal burst.

First, Mangan's powerful 21-yard free was brilliantly saved by the Kilmessan goalkeeper, but Charlie Gallagher reacted quickest to the rebound, firing to the net. Moments later, after another excellent move out from the back, the ball worked its way to Mangan, who unleashed a fierce low drive from 21 yards to score Dunboyne's second goal.

Suddenly the deficit had been cut to just six points, with the scoreboard reading Kilmessan 3-12 (3f), St. Peter's Dunboyne 2-09 (3f). Delaney added two more excellent points late on, but Kilmessan matched them with two scores of their own, one from a free, to secure their place in the Division 1 League Final on a scoreline of 3-14 to 2-11.

Best of luck to Kilmessan as they now prepare for the Division 1 League Final. Although defeated, St. Peter's Dunboyne can take huge encouragement from their league campaign. Missing seven players from the side that faced Kilmessan previously in Kepak Park, this young squad once again displayed tremendous resilience and determination. They and the management team can now look forward with confidence to the Division 1 Championship, which gets underway in early August.

St. Peter's Dunboyne: Daniel Slevin; Tadgh Brennan, Cillian Cunningham, Kevin Tighe; James McCarthy, Eoghan MacDonald, Pierce Hayes; Joel Mangan (1-03, 3f), Shea Mooney; Stephen Tighe, Ethan O'Sullivan, Sean Delaney (0-07); Marcus McGinn, Charlie Gallagher (1-01), Harry Clarke-Murphy. Subs: Paddy McGowan, Liam Barry.

Report by Eamon Murphy