Duleek in familiar territory as play-off is confirmed
Wolfe Tones 2-20 Duleek-B’st’n 0-10
DULEEK-BELLEWSTOWN had their fate confirmed and will contest the relegation play-off for the second successive year following this heavy defeat in the SFC at Castletown last Friday evening.
The east Meath men had no answer to the power of the Tones who had matters all too easy from the early stages.
The losers’ troubles stemmed from their inability to cope with the scoring power of Sáran Ó Fionnagáin and Cian Ward.
Ó Fionnagáin, who struck for a brace of goals in the last round win over Rathkenny, repeated that feat, scoring both of his side’s goals and the youngster also added five points for good measure.
The writing was on the walls for Duleek-Bellewstown who remain pointless from their four outings to date when they trailed 0-5 to 1-12 at the break.
Cian Ward accounted for eight points for Tones, while the O’Reilly brothers Niall and Thomas shared six points.
John Flood managed five points for Duleek-Bellewstown, while Jamie Crosby was also a threat up front, hitting three points.
Donaghmore-Ashbourne are Duleek-Bellewstown’s opponents in their final Group A match, but the focus now switches to preserving their senior status.
WOLFE TONES: David Nolan; Stephen Sheppard, Shane Glynn, Conor Sheppard; Niall McLoughlin, Eoghan Harrington, Eanna Harrington; Stephen Corrigan, Daniel O’Neill 0-1; Niall O’Reilly 0-3, Thomas O’Reilly 0-3 (1f), Alan Callaghan; Cian Ward 0-8 (6f), Sáran Ó Fionnagáin 2-5, Padraig Diamond. Subs: Caolan Ward for S Sheppard (38), Eanna O’Kelly-Lynch for Callaghan (47).
DULEEK-BELLEWSTOWN: Anthony Dowling 0-1 (‘45); James Murphy, Jamie Flaherty, David Moore; Kevin McCann 0-1, Des Teeling, Gary Reilly; Shane Crosby, Robin Clarke; Darren Mills, John McDonnell, Jamie Crosby 0-3 (2f); John Flood 0-5 (2f), Stephen Nolan, Darren Heaney. Sub: Eanna Byrne for Robin Clarke (28).