Combo side blown away by Gaeils

Moore for a similar offence shortly afterwards.

Seamus Mattimoe proved to be the game’s outstanding player and he finished with a personal tally of 10 points. Oisin and Fionn Reilly and Brian Hanlon were others to inflict serious damage on the Duleek-Bellewstown defence.

The east Meath outfit never led at any stage, but they were level at 0-3 each after 14 minutes following scores from John Flood (two) and John McDonnell.

With Mattimore accounting for four points Gaeil Colmcille were ahead 0-6 to 0-4 on 25 minutes and they stretched that lead with a goal approaching half-time. Brian Hanlon provided the opening for Oisin Reilly who placed a low effort wide of Anthony Dowling. The keeper had denied Reilly early in the game by producing a fine block to keep out a stinging effort.

The teams exchanged points after that, with McDonnell on target for the combined side who then finished the half in fine style. First McDonnell sent a 45-metre free from out near the sideline all the way to the net, and then Conall McGinley pointed to leave just the minimum between the teams at the break.

It didn’t take long for Gaeil Colmcille to stamp their authority on the game in the second half, though, and by the 40th minute they were out of sight. Mattimoe opened their scoring on the restart and then Martin Barrett had the easy task of finishing to the net after a Duleek-Bellewstown defender misjudged the flight of the ball.

Barrett, Mattimoe (two), Oisin Reilly and Hanlon added points after that, before McGinley pointed a free for Duleek-Bellewstown’s first score of the second half on 45 minutes. The outcome was a foregone conclusion at that stage, but the Kells men continued to pile on the scores.

McDonnell pounced for his and Duleek-Bellewstown’s second goal on 57 minutes, but at that stage it was merely a consolation.