Dunboyne 1-9
Duleek/Bellewstown 1-8

Stephen Moran's stoppage time free earned Dunboyne a minimum margin win over Duleek/Bellewstown in this Meath Farm Machinery SFC Group C opener at Ashbourne on Friday night.

A strong second-half showing looked to have earned Duleek/Bellewstown a draw before a foul on David Clarke led to the match-winning score at the motorway end of the ground.

The game got off to a flyer with Ger Robinson netting within ten seconds of the throw-in. Before the second minute had elapsed, Peter Curran got in for the Duleek/Bellewstown goal.

The scores were tied three more times in the first 30 minutes. Dunboyne finished the half with a flourish - points from Moran and Robinson (free) - to lead by 1-5 to 1-3 at the break.

Dunboyne should have led by more at the interval but for registering 10 wides to Duleek/Bellewstown's three.

If Robbie Brennan's men were wasteful in the opening period, then it was the turn of Declan Sheehan's charges thereafter.

Dunboyne kept Duleek/Bellewstown at arm's length until two converted frees from the game's top scorer Curran levelled matters for the fifth and final time.

Two Nigel Crawford points were central to Dunboyne maintaining the upper hand until that late Duleek/Bellewstown surge.

It wasn't until the 59th minute that Duleek/Bellewstown regained parity with Curran's fourth pointed free of the second-half.

However, Dunboyne had the last say to get their campaign off to a winning start.

Dunboyne - P. Curran; S. Hogan, David Gallagher, G. Timoney; C. Brennan, T. O'Connor, G. Barry; G. Gallagher, N. Crawford (0-2); G. Robinson (1-3, 0-2 fs), C. Berrigan, Denis Gallagher; S. Moran (0-3, 2fs), S. McGarrell, D. Clarke (0-1). Sub - M. O'Grady for Denis Gallagher (50).

Duleek/Bellewstown - R. Nolan; D. Moore, J. Martin, D. Crosby; K. McCann, T. Cunningham, G. Hynes; D. Martin (0-1), M. Dowling; P. Howard, M. Collins (0-1, f), P. Martin; C. Byrne, K. McDonnell, P. Curran (1-5, 0-4 fs). Subs - S. McArdle for Crosby (14), C. McGinley (0-1) for J. Martin (29), C. Carney for Dowling (53).

Referee - G. McGivney (Simonstown). Tweet

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