Donie Smith starred as Boyle Boyle made it three wins from three with a seven point victory over Oran.
A total of 1-13 from the boot of Donie Smith helped Boyle to victory in difficult playing conditions writes Matthew Towey.
Boyle opened the scoring after a minute of play when Cian McKeon fired over. Oran responded immediately when Ciaran Lawless utilised the strong breeze at his back to fire over a two pointer.
Charlie Carthy added another point for Oran, before Donie Smith registered his first score of the evening on seven minutes.
From the resulting kick-out Boyle won possession and found the back of the Oran net through Daire Cregg. Cregg created space to lose his man and find the bottom right-hand corner.
With 13 minutes played both sides were reduced to 14 men. Both Daire Cregg and Colin Walsh were shown a black card for an off the ball incident.
Boyle hit the next three scores with points through David Duggan, Cian McKeon and Donie Smith. Oran then responded with their second two pointer of the evening when Charlie Carthy fired over.
Boyle in control
In the 26th minute, Shane Walsh won Oran a penalty, Luke Glennon was adjudged to have fouled him. The Boyle fullback receiving a black card for his troubles.
Charlie Carthy then took full advantage, converting Oran’s first goal of the evening from the spot. Boyle lead 1-7 to 1-6 after 26 minutes.
Darragh Walsh gave Oran the lead two minutes later, raising an orange flag from a free, before Donie Smith looked to have levelled proceedings before the break with a point of his own.
Oran had the final say of the first-half when Boyle played themselves into trouble. Jamie Fitzpatrick finishing well to the back of the Boyle net, giving Oran a three-point lead.
At half-time Oran led by three, 2-8 to 1-8.
Oran opened the second-half scoring with Shane Walsh from play inside the opening minute. Both sides, swapped scores with David Duggan and Daire Cregg firing over for Boyle before Ciaran Lawless and Shane Walsh responded for Oran.
Boyle took control of proceedings when Donie Smith scored a two pointer, their first of seven scores in a row.
This dominant 11-minute spell saw Donie Smith register three points from outside of the arc, with David Flanagan, Cian McKeon and Daire Cregg adding points of their own as Boyle moved into a five-point lead.
With seven minutes remaining Boyle led by five-points, 1-20 to 2-12. Oran reduced the Boyle lead with Charlie Carthy scoring another two-pointer before Colin Walsh turned his man excellently and fired over. Boyle were now leading by two points with three minutes remaining.
It was Donie Smith who secured the win for Boyle in the closing stages with a two point free followed by a single score free. That was before Smith finished to an empty net at the death ensuring his Boyle victory.
Boyle beat Oran by seven points, 2-23 to 2-16 to top the group. Boyle will be joined in the quarter-finals by Roscommon Gaels who got the better of Castlerea St. Kevin's. Whereas, Oran will now face Padraig Pearses in the quarter-final play-off.
