Duleek/Bellewstown 1-9 Donaghmore/Ashbourne 0-8 Duleek/Bellewstown could not have asked for a better start to their championship campaign when overcoming Donaghmore/Ashbourne in excellent playing conditions on Sunday last. Although it took both sides a little time to settle, the East Meath side looked solid throughout this encounter. The first half gave way for a point for point scenario and Duleek/Bellewstown had the final say when they secured a point well into injury time to give them a one point lead at the interval. On form Mark Collins accounted for five of his sides scores in the opening half in which came in the form of four frees and one from play and it was Collins who notched over a close range free to give Duleek/Bellewstown that one point lead at the break. The only other scorer for the East Meath side came through half forward Conal McGinely who excellently pointed from way out on the right wing and who at half time was surprisingly substituted. The score at half time was Duleek/Bellewstown 0-06 Donaghmore/Ashbourne 0-05. Donaghmore/Ashbourne where quickest off the mark in the second half as they pointed in the early stages but can be accused of squandering an excellent goal chance early on which could have changed the game dramatically. The turning point came early in the second half when midfielder Karl Mc Donnell won possession in the full forward line and laid it off to Paid Howard who blasted an unstoppable shot to the top right hand corner of the net by the Donaghmore/Ashbourne keeper. Next up to the mark was substitution Peter Curran who sold an excellent dummy and fired over from long range to increase his side's lead by four points. At this stage Duleek/Bellewstown where in the driving seat and again it was Paid Howard who won great ball in the half forward line and fired over from a difficult angle. In the closing stages Donard Ferguson won good possession and slipped it through to oncoming Micheal Dowling who pointed from close range. Donaghmore/Ashbourne only managed three scores in the second half and will be disappointed on the way in which things turned out for them. In defence Des Teeling, Gary Reilly and Paid Howard excelled, while man of the match Tony Cunningham worked relentlessly in midfield and up front Paul Martin and Mark Collins were on form. Duleek/Bellewstown - R. Nolan, G. Reilly, K. Smith, Des Telling, D. Moore, P. Howard (1-01), G. Hynes, K McDonnell, Tony Cunningham, D. Mills, Paul Martin, C. McGinely (0-01), M. Collins (0-05, 4Frees) M. Dowling(0-01) J. Deveraux. Subs - Joey Martin for J. Deveraux, Peter Curran for Conal McGinely, Chris Carney for Darren Mills, Donard Ferguson for Gordon Hynes, Conal McGinely Karl Mc Donnell. Tweet

Most Read Stories