‘Hill too steep as Duleek run out of steam
FIVE points without reply in the final quarter gave wasteful Summerhill a winning start in the SFC at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.
Duleek-Bellewstown led briefly at the start of the second half and were on level terms following a fine point on the run by Casey Dunne on 46 minutes. However, the east Meath side rarely looked like causing an upset against a ‘Hill outfit that tallied 17 wides for the hour.
A collective groan rang out among spectators when it was announced that at least five extra minutes would be played at the end, and that summed up the fare on offer. The effort from both sides was dreadful at times and it was debatable which team was the worst. With one-third of the match over the sides had only managed three scores between them, Summerhill leading 1-1 to 0-1.
The scoring rate increased somewhat after that and at halftime Summerhill led 1-5 to 1-3.
Sean Dalton opened the scoring for Summerhill after a number of previous attempts were wide of the mark. It was something similar with Duleek-Bellewstown who shot three wides before Shane Crosby, with a fine long-range shot, eventually hit the target on 13 minutes.
The game’s opening goal arrived at the end of the first quarter when David Larkin raced through and blasted to the net. John Mc- Donnell accounted for the east Meath side’s second point, but the ‘Hill had eased into a 1-5 to 0-2 lead before Robin Clarke gave his side hope with a goal on 29 minutes after an earlier effort from John Flood was blocked by Summerhill keeper Tony McDonnell.
Barry Dardis had earlier hit three points for the eventual winners, two of which came from 45s.
Duleek-Bellewstown hopes of causing a shock received a further boost within 30 seconds of the restart when John McDonnell solo through and planted the ball in the ‘Hill net.
Their 2-3 to 1-5 lead was shortlived, however, as Larkin responded at the other end by blasting over, an effort which could as easily have gone under the bar.
Kevin Lyons added two further points for the ‘Hill in the third quarter before John Flood cut the deficit to the minimum at the three quarter-way stage.
Casey Dunne’s point regained parity and Duleek-Bellewstown then squandered a chance to go ahead before Summerhill took complete control.
Sub Bobby Lyons shot the ‘Hill ahead and Dardis, Larkin, Brian Ennis and Lyons again pointed before the finish, with Duleek-Bellewstown fortunate not to concede another couple of goals.
SUMMERHILL: Tony McDonnell; Iarlath Hughes, Willie Ryan, Ronan Ryan; Davy Dalton 0-1, Richie Hatton, Padraig Geraghty; Micheál Byrne, Ciaran Gillespie; Ross Ryan, Davy Larkin 1-2, Kevin Lyons 0-2; Barry Dardis 0-4 (2 ‘45s), Brian Ennis 0-1, Sean Dalton 0-1. Subs: Padraig Jennings for Gillespie (h-t), Bobby Lyons 0-2 for S Dalton (43).
DULEEK-BELLEWSTOWN: Anthony Dowling; James Murphy, Jason Brannigan, Shane Townley; Kevin McCann, David Moore, Gary Reilly; Shane Crosby 0-1, Robin Clarke 1-0; Conall McGinley 0-1f, Casey Dunne 0-1, John McDonnell 1-1; Brian Moore, Micheál Dowling, John Flood 0-1f. Subs: Stephen McArdle for Reilly (27), Jamie Crosby for D Moore (36), Darren Heeney for M Dowling (44), Des Teeling for McCann (56), Ciaran Flynn for McGinley (60). REF: P Nelis (Kilmainham)