IFC semi-final: Impressive Duleek-Bellewstown book final place

Duleek Bellewstown's Colm Regan keeps possession despite pressure from Walterstown's Adam Quinn during the IFC semi final at Simonstown

Duleek-Bellewstown 3-19 Walterstown 3-12

Duleek-Bellewstown set up a final meeting with Navan O’Mahony’s after this seven-point win over Walterstown at Simonstown. While Anthony Malone’s men dominated most of this entertaining encounter, the concession of three goals will be of concern heading into the final on Saturday, 17th October at Devenish Park.

Powered by Eamonn Armstrong and Robin Clarke in the middle sector, the winners controlled the opening quarter and led 0-6 to 0-1 following fine efforts from John Flood (2), Armstrong, Tom Bowden and a Kyle Doherty two-pointer.

All that work was undone in the space of a minute when Adam Quinn found the back of their net twice, one from the penalty spot.

Duleek-Bellewstown hit back. Doherty added to his tally before half-back Cianan Byrne waltzed in for their opening goal. Ruairi O’Dowd (2) and a Doherty two-pointer had the game all square at 1-8 to 2-5 with nine minutes remaining in the half.

The team in green and gold finished with a flourish. Points from Oisin Miland, Doherty and Flood, along with a well-worked goal from Doherty, gave them a 2-10 to 2-5 half-time lead.

As in the first half, Duleek-Bellewstown hit the ground running in the early stages of the second. Eoghan Heeney added 1-1, while Miland and Shane Crosby sent over points to extend their lead to 3-13 to 2-8.

Walterstown were not done. O’Dowd, the impressive Quinn (3) and Barry O’Connell kept the scoreboard ticking over and, with ten minutes remaining, a goal separated the teams.

Heeney, Kyle Callaghan, John McDonnell and Alan Bowden restored Duleek-Bellewstown’s control before they were hit with another goal, this time from an unstoppable shot by Lorcan O’Connor.

The winners didn’t panic and finished the game seven points ahead, with seasoned campaigners Clarke and McDonnell adding fine scores.

Duleek-Bellewstown scorers: Kyle Doherty 1-4, Eoghan Heeney 1-2, Cianan Byrne 1-0, John Flood 0-4, Oisin Miland 0-2, Eamonn Armstrong 0-1, Tom Bowden 0-1, Shane Crosby 0-1, Kyle Callaghan 0-1, John McDonnell 0-1, Alan Bowden 0-1, Robin Clarke 0-1.

Walterstown scorers: Adam Quinn 2-7, Ruairi O’Dowd 0-4, Lorcan O’Connor 1-0, Barry O’Connell 0-1.

Referee: Keith Sheerin.