Duleek spring to life as Syddan set a hot pace

DULEEK-BELLEWST’N 3-13 NOBBER 0-11 DULEEK-BELLEWSTOWN put some indifferent form behind them when registering an impressive victory at a foggy Bellewstown last Sunday morning.

The home side were boosted by an early Jamie Crosby goal and with Stephen Nolan in good form and keeper Anthony Dowling converting a ‘45 they went on to lead 1-7 to 0-8 at the break.

The east Meath outfit upped the tempo considerably in the third quarter and by the 40th minute had stretched their lead to eight points.

An early Stephen Nolan pointed free was followed by a goal and two points in a three-minute spell.

Jack Roche accounted for the points, while Nolan pounced for the goal before Nobber hit two points of their own.

Eight points still separated the sides heading into the final quarter and Gary Reilly made certain of the points with a third goal 10 minutes from the finish. DULEEK-BELLEWSTOWN: A Dowling 0-1; J Murphy, D Moore, K McCann; S Crosby 0-1, R Clarke, S McArdle; E Byrne, J Flaherty 0-2; P Collins, J Flood 0-2, J Roche 0-2; J Crosby 1-0, S Nolan 1-5, G Reilly 1-0. Subs: S Townley for Collins, J Brannigan for McArdle, G Martin for Roche, P Callaghan for Murphy, C Woods for Reilly.

SYDDAN 0-10 SENESCHALSTOWN 0-9 SYDDAN continue to set a hot pace in Division 2 after edging to a narrow win over their senior counterparts at home on Sunday morning.

The hosts trailed throughout the opening half and with Cathal Finnegan and Bryan Clarke in fine form in attack Seneschalstown enjoyed a double score lead at the break, 0-6 to 0-3.

Syddan, who lost Daire Rowe to a first-half injury, went further behind on the restart, but points in as many minutes from Michael Fedigan, Cormac Rowe and substitute Gary Farrelly had them back to the minimum.

It was a pointed free from Farrelly that drew the sides level on 48 minutes and the same player put his side ahead for the first time heading into the closing stages.

Another sub, Brian Dillon, doubled Syddan’s advantage and Seneschalstown’s only response was a point in added time.

SYDDAN: Ciaran Farrelly; Kevin Garland, Ronan Mooney, Mark Fedigan; Jack Reid, Andrew Garland, Stuart Fedigan; Sean Clare, Cathal Dardis; Graham Garland, Daire Rowe 0-2, Michael Fedigan 0-2; Cormac Rowe 0-1, Kevin Traynor, Padraig Dillon 0-1. Subs: Gary Farrelly 0-3 for D Rowe, Michael Smith for S Fedigan, Brian Dillon 0-1 for G Garland, Peter Sheehy for Reid.

SENESCHALSTOWN: Stephen Finnegan; Joe Cowley, John Smith, Cormac Duffy; Niall McCabe, Niall Hickey, Niall Groome; Brian Sheridan, James Conlon; Adam Carey, Robert Wogan, Alan Mulvany; Cathal Finnegan, Bryan Clarke, Niall Lyons.

RATHKENNY 1-18 BLACKHALL GAELS 2-10 KEITH CURTIS hit eight points as Rathkenny kept up the pressure on neighbours Syddan at the top of Division 2.

The winners laid the foundation for victory throughout the opening half, at the end of which they led 1-11 to 0-4. Their goal came mid-way through the half from Jack Gore. County panellist Caolach Halligan limped out of the action with an ankle injury after 20 minutes.

Boosted by two goals, the second from the penalty spot, Blackhall staged a second-half revival and were back on level terms at one stage. However, with Curtis and sub Jack Thompson keeping the scoreboard ticking over Rathkenny ended comfortable enough winners. RATHKENNY: Colin Curtis; Niall Brannigan, Ross Gore, Joe Gore; Thomas McGuinness, Christy Meade, Stephen Crosbie; Brian Meade 0-1, Robbie Garry; Caolach Halligan 0-2, Brian Lenehan 0-1, Jack Gore 1-3; Keith Curtis 0-8, James Macken, Keith Timmons 0-1. Sub: Jack Thompson 0-2 for Halligan.