Dunshaughlin showed all there experience and guile as they came back from an eight point deficit to claim victory against Duleek/Bellewstown in their opening Senior Football Championship game in Ratoath on Friday night. Dunshaughlin 2-10 Duleek/Bellewstown 2-08 Despite exploding into action with a goal in the first minute scored by Conor Staunton, the combination side featuring in the Senior Championship for the first time dominated the first half. Duleek/Bellewstown even went ahead as early as the 6th minute when they scored a goal to add to the two points they had already. Five further points were punctuated by points from Ray Maloney and Cathal O'Dwyer for Dunshaughlin. An entertaining first half ended with Duleek/Bellewstown leading by five points, 1-07 to 1-02. Cathal O'Dwyer opened the second half scoring for Dunshaughlin but Duleek/Bellewstown resumed normal service in the seventh minute with a point. They even extended their lead to eight points with a goal in the 9th minute, but this goal seemed to wake Dunshaughlin up and shock them into action. A minute after the goal Martin Reilly pointed. From the kick out, Dunshaughlin won possession and a storming run from Niall Kelly resulted in a goal. Richie Kealy then ventured forward from his centre back berth to raise a white flag. Martin Reilly reduced the difference to two points with a 16th minute free, before David Crimmins pointed from a tight angle to leave a point between the sides. Conor Staunton then levelled the score with a point in the 20th minute. Duleek/Bellewstown were not giving up, but some excellent defending from Kenny McTigue and Anthony Johnson kept the Dunshaughlin goal intact. Dunshaughlin drove on and Cillian Finn pointed with five minutes remaining to push Dunshaughlin back into the lead for the first time since the 5th minute. Not willing to let the north Meath men back into the game Niall Kelly added another point in the 29th minute and that's the way it remained until Jack Gordon blew the final whistle deep into injury time. Dunshaughlin ran out winners by two points. Best for Dunshaughlin on the night were Kenny McTigue, Michael Aherne, Niall Kelly, Martin Reilly and Anthony Johnson. Dunshaughlin: Ronan Gogan, Fearghal Gogan, Kenny McTigue, Anthony Johnson, Michael Aherne, Richie Kealy (0-1), Ronnie Yore, Cillian Finn (0-1), Niall Kelly (1-1), Denis Kealy, Martin Reilly (0-2), David Crimmins (0-1), Conor Staunton (1-1), Raymond Maloney (C) (0-1), Cathal O'Dwyer (0-2). Sub - David Devereux for Ronnie Yore Tweet

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