Duleek draw comfort after a high-scoring encounter

VISITORS St Michael’s snatched a share of the spoils after Peter O’Connell hit his ninth point, from a free in the ninth minute of added time, in this league thriller at Duleek.

It was the eighth time that the sides were level in this high-scoring encounter. Minutes earlier it look as if John Flood had won it for the home side with the hosts’ final point.

St Michael’s made the better start to proceedings and led 0-6 to 0-2 by the end of the opening quarter. Both Duleek-Bellewstown points came from Jamie Crosby.

Further scores from Darren Heeney and Crosby narrowed the deficit before David Moore found the net to draw level on 24 minutes. St Michael’s finished the half stronger with three further points to two from the home side to lead 0-10 to 1-6 at the break.

A Padraig McGroggan goal gave the host a great start to the second half, but St Michael’s fought back strongly in the third quarter to open up a five-point advantage.

It didn’t take long for Duleekto get back into contention though, courtesy of a John McDonnell goal. Another goal, this time from a Jamie Crosby penalty, levelled matters.

The lead changed hands on a couple of occasions after that, but few could argue that a draw was a fair result. DULEEK-BELLEWSTOWN: F Hartford; D Teeling, K McCann, B Lanigan; G Reddy, D Moore, S McArdle; J Flaherty, R Clarke; J Crosby, J Flood, P McGroggan; J McDonnell, D Heeney, C Flynn. Subs G Martin for Lanigan, C McGinley for Heeney, S Townley for Flynn, C McGroggan for Reddy, J Murphy for Teeling, S Maguire for McGinley.

NOBBER 1-15 SYDDAN 0-8 WITH promotion and a place in the Division 2 League Final already secured, Syddan went down to their first defeat of the campaign at Nobber last week.

Syddan were short several regulars, including Kevin Traynor and Daire Rowe, and they struggled throughout, especially in the scoring department.

Gary Farrelly top-scored with seven points, six of which came from frees, and their only other score from play came courtesy of Michael Smith.

Farrelly opened the scoring from a free and Syddan led on three occasions in the opening quarter, the final time after Farrelly converted his second free on 14 minutes.

A goal from Ger Campbell a minute later left Nobber in the ascendancy and they never relinquished the lead after that. They added four points before TUESDAY JULY 10

Football B League at 8.0

Div 1: Dunboyne v Ratoath, Donaghmore-Ashbourne v Skryne, St Patrick’s v Summerhill, St Colmcille’s v Simonstown, Wolfe Tones v Gaeil Colmcille. Div 2: O’Mahonys v Dunshaughlin. Div 3: Ballinlough v Duleek-Bellewstown, Rathkenny v St Michael’s. Div 4: Syddan v Dunderry, Cortown v Meath Hill.

WEDNESDAY JULY 11 Football B League at 8.0

Div 2: Skryne v Seneschalstown. Div 3: Donaghmore-Ashbourne v Walterstown.

THURSDAY JULY 12

Football B League at 8.0

Div 2: Moynalvey v Castletown, Nobber v Trim, Na Fianna v Blackhall Gaels. Div 3: Curraha v Dunboyne. Div 4: Summerhill v Moynalty, Seneschalstown the end of the half - with Syddan only managing one in the same period - and enjoyed a 1-6 to 0-4 lead at the break.

Two Farrelly points in the opening six minutes of the second half reduced the deficit to a goal, but that was as close as Syddan got and Nobber tightened their grip in the latter stages.

SYDDAN: Ciaran Farrelly; Mark Fedigan, Ronan Mooney, Thomas Meade; Stuart Fedigan, Ryan Summersby, Michael Fedigan; Sean Clare, Peter Sheehy; Michael Smith 0-1, Cathal Dardis, Graham Garland; Padraic Dillon, Gary Farrelly 0-7 (6fs), Paddy Farrelly. Sub: Gary McManus for Smith.

CURRAHA 3-14 CASTLETOWN 1-17 CURRAHA made certain of their Division 2 status when edging out relegation-threatened Castletown in a high-scoring encounter.

With injuries and players heading overseas, Curraha had their promotion hopes scuppered following back-to-back defeats in recent weeks.

They were in trouble in this one v Dunsany. Div 5: Kilbride v Dunshaughlin, Clonard v Carnaross, Ballinabrackey v Ratoath, Drumbaragh v Gaeil Colmcille.

FRIDAY JULY 13

Football B league at 8.0

Div 5: Donaghmore/Ashbourne v O’Mahonys. SATURDAY JULY 14

Millbrook: Meath v Louth, Gerry Reilly U-16 FT, 12.0.

Pairc Tailteann: Bective v Meath Hill, A league Div 3 final.

SUNDAY JULY 15

Pairc Tailteann: Ballivor v Moynalty, A league Div 4 final, 11.0;

Syddan v Oldcastle or Rathkenny, A League Div 2 final, 12.45.

St Tiernachs Park Clones: Meath v Fermanagh, TG4 All-Ireland IFC, 2.0. in the early stages after Castletown racked up 1-4 before David Coyle opening their account. Ciaran O’Hanrahan and Neil Shortall added points and Curraha were back in contention after Coyle netted. At half-time Castletown were ahead 1-8 to 1-6.

It didn’t take long for Curraha to get ahead in the second half, Shortall pointing before Coyle again found the back of the net.

Shortall converted a penalty to extend the lead, but Castletown then went on a mini scoring spree, with seven successive points to lead 1-17 to 3-9 heading into the closing stages. However Curraha responded with the last five points, from Sean Keogh, Shortall, Coyle, O’Hanrahan and Evan McGovern, to take the spoils.

CURRAHA: L Hogan; S Hogan, P Dowling, A Moriarty; G Coyle 0-1, M Jackson, R Reid; B Joyce, N Shortall 1-4; A Battersby, E McGovern 0-1, C Joyce; D Coyle 2-4, S Keogh 0-2, C O’Hanrahan 0-2. Subs: I Battersby for Reid, M Phelan for G Coyle.

RATHKENNY 1-6 WALTERSTOWN 0-6 RATHKENNY kept up their promotion challenge following this narrow win in Walterstown.

The hosts led 0-3 to 0-2 at the break, with Donal Curtis and Jack Thompson on target for Rathkenny.

An Ivan Lenehan goal in the final quarter, which opened up a fivepoint advantage, proved the crucial score. Caolach Halligan had come off the bench to score two points for the eventual winners. RATHKENNY:

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