Duleek Bellewstown 3-16 : 4-12 Ratoath

The pundits say that this could be the game of the game of the weekend – well, it certainly lived up to its billing and for the 100 spectators who were lucky enough to get a ticket, they certainly got value for their money.  

The Ratoath lads got off to the perfect start when they managed to get in behind the Duleek Bellewstown defence in the first minute to rattle the D/B net.  D/B settled things down and the on-fire Dylan Collins hit 2 fine points from play before both sides traded further points from play, Collins again hitting for D/B.  Collins added two more frees before the water-break and a great save by the D/B keeper, Ryan Lynch on the 13th minute kept the Ratoath lads from extending their lead.  At the first water-break, Ratoath lead by 2 – 1-04 to 0-5.

After the water-break, D/B got a grip on proceedings with some brilliant play by Tiarnan McKeon that opened up the Ratoath defence and Ivan Murray raised the green flag for D/B to put them ahead for the first time in this epic encounter.  Ratoath responded with 2 points from play before D/B lads hit their purple patch scoring 1-03 without reply with the talented Craig Moore rattling the Ratoath net.  At half-time, the score read D/B 2-08 : 1-06 Ratoath.

D/B continued where they left off before the break, with Moore slotting over the bar before captain fantastic for the day, Sean Courtney, hit 3 points on the trot. With 8 minutes gone in the second half, D/B were leading by double scores 2-12 to 1-06 before Ratoath dominated the remainder of the half with 2 goals in quick succession as well as adding a point from a free and one from play.  In this period, the D/B net minder Lynch also pulled-ff a fantastic save to deny Ratoath.  At the final water-break, D/B lead by 1 – D/B 2-12 : 3-08 Ratoath

D/B struck first after the water-break, a well worked move out of the D/B defence found Moore who slotted the ball to the Ratoath net.  Kyle Callaghan added to D/B’s tally with a fine point from play.  From the kick-out, Ratoath worked the ball up the field to rattle the D/B net and adding a further point to leave the minimum between the sides.  With managements on both sides rallying their lads, Ratoath levelled the game from a free with 6 minutes remaining on the clock.  D/B hit back with Collins slotting over from a free before Moore slotted over from play – with time almost up, Ratoath hit two points on the trot to leave the game all square.  Deep into injury time, D/B worked the ball out of defence to Moore who found Courtney who was fouled 20 metres in front of goal – the cool Courtney slotted the ball over leaving the D/B lads 1 ahead.  With all eyes now on the referee, from the kick-out Ratoath worked the ball up the field, however, the D/B defence held firm and with the final whistle sounding, this was to be D/B’s day.

This was an epic battle by two young teams with some fantastic talent on display and brilliant score taking on the day. D/B had warriors all over the field and this was a real team effort by everyone to ensure that they took the honours on the day.    

Duleek Bellewstown: R Lynch, C Kirwin, E Lenehan, C Bird, S McCroary, T Bowden, T McKeon, C Moore (2-02), K Callaghan (0-1), S O’Leary, D Collins (0-08, 4f), A Bowden, S Tuite Rice, I Murray (1-0), S Courtney (C) (0-5, 1f) 

Subs: J Keogh for K Kirwin; A Connell for S Tuite Rice; B Duffy, L O’Leary, JP Coleman, B Cullen, K McGrane (C) (injured)     

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