Wolfe Tones 0-12
Duleek- Bellewstown 0-11

In a well contested game in which the teams were level six times, Wolfe Tones nudged ahead in the 49th minute and managed to hold on for a hard fought victory against a well organised Duleek-Bellewstown team who defended in depth throughout in wet and slippery conditions in Rathkenny.

After 5 minutes the combination outfit had raced to a three point lead. Tones got a grip around midfield and by the 12th minute had drawn level thanks to a Cian Ward '45 and pointed free and a Niall O'Reilly point. The teams exchanged two points for the remainder of the half with Duleek-Bellewstown pulling ahead twice but for the Tones to pull level each time through Eoghan Harrington and Niall McLoughlin. The teams were level on 0-6 each at half time.

On the restart Duleek-Bellewstown had opened up a two point lead by the 37th minute but Tones were level two minutes later through points from Niall McLoughlin and Cian Ward. Tones nudged ahead again through David Coleman but a pointed Duleek-Bellewstown free had the teams level again after 38 minutes. Fiachra Ward punched over the bar shortly afterwards to round off a sweeping move and this was followed by an Alan Callaghan point to open up a 2 point lead for the Tones with eight minutes left. Duleek-Bellewstown added a point to reduce the gap to the minimum but a missed close range free squandered a glorious chance to level the match with just 4 minutes left. Alan Callaghan rounded off the scoring for the Tones while Duleek-Bellewstown pressed hard but had to be content with an injury time point in the 35th minute.

This was a stern test for the Tones who hit 13 wides to Duleek-Bellewstown's 8 and this win was built on dominance around the midfield area in the last quarter where Stephen Corrigan, Alan Callaghan, Eoghan Harrington, Niall McLoughlin and the Coleman brothers were particularly prominent while Shane Glynn and Stephen Sheppard were excellent in defence.

Wolfe Tones - David Nolan, David Coleman (0-1), Stephen Sheppard, Mark Coleman, Shane Glynn, Eoghan Harrington (0-1), Éanna Harrington, Stephen Corrigan, Alan Callaghan (0-2), Niall O'Reilly (0-1), Cian Ward (0-4, 2F,1'45), Niall McLoughlin (0-2), Brughach O Fionnagain, Fiachra Ward (0-1), Ciaran McLoughlin (Black card 34). Sub: Paul Byrne.

SFC Duleek Bellewstown fall to Tones

Duleek Bellewstown 0-11 Wolfe Tones 0-12


DuleekBellewstown came to Rathkenny on Friday evening hoping to return to championship winning ways after their second round reversal to Skryne. However the failed by the minimum to against a more experienced Wolfe Tones side.

DuleekBellewstown set out their stall to ensure that they did not concede goals against a Tones side who had made a habit of goal scoring both in the league and in the championship and with the Tones also employing an additional defensive option it was always going to the side that could score the most points would some out on top.

And so it proved. The sides were level on at least six occasions with the Tones only gaining a vital 2 point foothold in the last 10 minutes.

From the throw in the Tones could have scored a goal with their corner forward narrowly missing a gilt edged opportunity. Playing down the hill DuleekBellewstown then open a three point gap by the sixth minute and a surprise was on the cards. The points coming from John Flood with two, and Mark Collins with one. The Tones then replied with three of their own to level things up by as the first quarter ended.

The sides then swapped points in the run in to half time. Conall Mc Ginley the popped a point from a free which was followed by a free from the Tones. The respective number sixes then got in on the scoring In the 20th minute Casey Dunne charged down the centre and from about 30 yard scored a well worked point which was followed by a Tones point in the 26th minute by their centre half. John Flood put the men in green and gold in front just on the 30th minute only for the Tones to restore parity on the stoke of half times

H/T Duleek Bellewstown 0-6 Wolfe Tones 0-6;


The second half opened brightly for Duleek Bellewstown with Darren scoring two massive frees from the right hand side to open up a 2 point gap and again it look as if they would push on.

But the Tones are nothing if not resolute. Gaining a foothold around the middle the had two quick fire points to bring them level and then they went in front when their corner back scored a long range point. During this period of ascendancy the Tones wasted some good scoring opportunities and when Conall McGinley pointed a free to bring the sides level for the 6th time it look as if the tide was about to turn again .

But two further points for the Tones restored their two point cushion as the game entered the final 10 minutes and when Conall Mc Ginley brought the deficit to one with another pointed free we were in for a hectic finish. As the clock wound down another Tones point meant Duleek Bellewstown needed either a goal or two quick points to salvage something from the game. But their only reward was a pointed Stephen Nolan free.

F/T Duleek Bellewstown 0-11 Wolfe Tones 0-12

Duleek Bellewstown - R Nolan, J Brannigan, K McCann, J McDonnell, S Crosby, C Dunne(0-1) D Moore, M Collins (0-1), S Nolan (0-1), J Flood (0-3), D Heaney(0-2), A Burke, B Moore, C Mc Ginley (0-3), P Howard, Subs C Byrne for D Moore, K Collins for C MCGinley,P Curran for J Flood, D Moore for J Brannigan Tweet

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