Duleek can’t quite conquer steep Hill test

DULEEK-B’STOWN MEATH HILL 0-8 0-8

DULEEK-BELLEWSTOWN made the trip to north Meath to take on the newly-promoted home side and had to be content with a share of the spoils in a clash that could have gone either way.

The visitors held the advantage entering the closing minutes before a pointed free from Chris Yorke ensured the home side didn’t go away empty-handed.

It took a full 10 minutes for the opening score, with Shane Crosby hitting over an effort from long range for the combined side. Jamie Crosby, from a free, doubled the advantage on the quarter-hour mark and the visitors continued in the ascendancy with further points from Johnny McDonnell and James McWeeney.

It was looking good for Duleek-Bellewstown at that stage as the home side found it difficult to hit the target. However, they eventually got off the mark through Paddy Matthews, leaving it 0-4 to 0-1 at the break.

Meath Hill showed much improved form throughout the second half and within three minutes of the restart had reduced the deficit to the minimum. Johnny McDonnell responded with a point for the visitors, but heading into the final quarter it was anyone’s game, with the sides level.

Duleek-Bellewstown regained the lead twice in that final quarter through McDonnell and Jamie Crosby, but each time the Hill hit back to level.

The home side had a late chance to snatch the win, but the effort fell short of the target. DULEEK-BELLEWSTOWN: A Dowling; J Branagan, K McCann, S McArdle; S Crosby 0-1, B Moore, G Reddy; D Moore, J Flaherty; J Flood 0-1, J Roche, J Crosby 0-2; J McDonnell 0-3, J McWeeney 0-1, C Flynn. Subs: P Howard, S Nolan, J Murphy.

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