Frayne: Going back to basics paid off

MEATH CAPTAIN INSISTS HARD WORK WAS KEY TO SUMMERHILL COUNTY GLORY

- By KARL O’KANE

MEATH captain Eoghan Frayne says there's “something special" in Summerhill as an incredible year keeps on getting better for him.

Frayne (22) captained the Meath side that turned over Dublin, Kerry and Galway to make this year's All-Ireland semifinal.

And last Sunday he landed a second Meath Senior Championship with a 0-16 to 0-13 victory over Ratoath at Pairc Tailteann.

Frayne hit 0-8 from dead balls as “cheat code” kickout catcher Adam Flanagan helped get Summerhill over the line with a huge midfield display.

Summerhill had lost four finals in six agonising years (2017-22), before winning two deciders on the bounce — both against a Ratoath side that beat them in two of those previous four finals.

Landing this year's Keegan Cup looked a long shot after they lost to Skryne in the group stages — a second defeat in three games — and just edged into the quarterfinals on score difference ahead of Dunboyne.