Hot favourites get over the Hill - but only just

Jamie Crosby (two) and John Flood. Duleek/Bellewstown then raced into a four-point lead with further points from Crosby (two), Flood and Stephen McArdle to lead 0-7 to 0-3 at the break.

Meath Hill staged a spirited revival in the third quarter, but with Crosby - who finished with seven points - and Flood (four), Duleek/Bellewstown had a cushion entering the closing stages. They needed it though as the home side finished much the stronger. UNDERSTRENGTH Syddan were no match for Dunderry in this A League Division 2 opener at Dunganny last Wednesday evening

The winners led from pillar to post and it was a damage limitation exercise for Syddan for most of the hour. A combination of poor finishing from the Dunderry attack, plus a couple of excellent saves by Syddan keeper Ciaran Farrelly, prevented an even bigger hammering.

Dunderry hit eight of their 16 wides in the opening half when they had the advantage of the strong breeze. However they still managed to lead 1-6 to 0-2 at the break, with the goal coming on the stroke of half-time from Stephen Coogan.

Both of Syddan’s first-half points came from frees converted by Michael Fedigan and Graham Garland.

By the time Michael Fedigan added to the Syddan tally on 40 minutes, Dunderry had scored a further 1-1, the point from a Coogan free and the goal from Luke Martyn.

Graham Garland and Cathal Dardis registered third-quarter points for Syddan, but it continued to be mostly one-way traffic, with Martyn pouncing for Dunderry’s third goal on 48 minutes.