Moran inspires Wolfe Tones to provincial semi-final
The Meath champions survived a stirring An Tóchar comeback to claim a four-point quarter-final victory in Ashbourne. A dominant opening 40 minutes proved decisive, setting up a meeting with The Downs on 28 November.
Wolfe Tones survived a remarkable An Tóchar comeback to win 1-20 to 2-13 and book their place in the AIB Leinster club senior football semi-final.
Shane McCoy's Meath champions led by 14 points after 37 minutes at Donaghmore-Ashbourne, but the Wicklow side rallied fiercely before running out of time. Tones will face Westmeath champions The Downs in Ashbourne on 28 November.
Kyle Moran drove the hosts forward with six points, while Cian O'Neill struck a two-pointer and a goal during a devastating three-minute burst early in the second half. A Ben Reilly point stretched the advantage to 1-15 to 0-4.
An Tóchar found their footing around midfield and outscored Tones by 2-9 to 0-5 from that point. Conor Fee and John Paul Nolan netted, with Nolan rifling a 63rd-minute free to the net before Luca Nolan added a two-pointer.
Tones also lost former Meath forward Sarán Ó Fionnagain to a knee injury, but held firm to keep their provincial ambitions alive. The Kilberry club had returned to the ground where they secured their third Keegan Cup a month earlier.