Eight-point loss margin tough on battling Duleek

DONAGHMORE/ASH DULEEK/B’STOWN 3-15 2-10

DULEEK/BELLEWSTOWN’S excellent start wasn’t enough to upset the odds in this Feis Cup tie in Ashbourne.

Boosted by goals from Shane Townley and Conall McGinley, the east Meath outfit led 2-2 to 0-2 after 11 minutes. However, the Ashbourne men fought back and Dylan Brady and Conor Carton found the net as they eventually led 2-6 to 2-5 at the break.

There was little to choose between the sides until Brady struck for a second goal on 50 minutes to push the hosts into a four-point advantage. The home side pulled away comfortably after that but were somewhat flattered by their margin of victory. HOLDERS Nobber led by five points at one stage in the second half of this Corn Na Boinne quarter-final, but it will take another match to decide the issue after the teams finished level following extra time.

Robert and Garry McCloskey both hit a brace of points as the Cille’s led 0-8 to 0-7 at the end of the opening half, with Cille’s keeper Jordan Brown having saved a penalty.

Nobber took a grip on proceedings at one stage as they opened up that five-point advantage, but the Cille’s responded in fine style and Ciaran Kelly put over a free in the dying moments to leave it 0-17 each at the end of normal time.

There was still no separating the team at the mid-point of additional time as it was 0-19 apiece as they turned around for the final period.

Again, it was the Cille’s who came from behind to force a replay.