Nolan black card proves costly for Duleek
DULEEK-BELLEWSTOWN’S bid to put back-to-back championship wins together evaporated at a warm Kilberry last Saturday evening.
The east Meath side’s cause was not helped by an early black card to full forward Stephen Nolan for what appeared to be an innocuous challenge on the Oldcastle goalkeeper.
Overall, though, Oldcastle deserved their win as they displayed greater hunger and intensity throughout.
Oldcastle made a bright start with the three opening points of the game and Duleek-Bellewstown had to wait 15 minutes for their opening score from Jamie Crosby.
The North Meath outfit were in control of proceedings at that stage and they added a further five points to lead 0-8 to 0-1. The combined side were in danger of
Oldcastle 1-15 Duleek-B’st’n 1-9
losing touch, but they finished the half in fine style with a point and then a goal to leave just three points between the sides at the break.
Jamie Crosby, who was excellent all the way through, hit the point and Peter Collins gave his side hope with a goal on the approach to half-time.
The teams exchanged points at the start of the second half before the crucial score arrived on 39 minutes when Oldcastle found the net from the penalty spot.
Duleek-Bellewstown showed tremendous character to come back from that blow, and with Crosby adding three further points and Collins and John McDonnell also on target the deficit was down to two points entering the closing stages.
Last year’s semi-finalists responded to the challenge, though, with five successive points to end comfortable winners.
DULEEK-BELLEWSTOWN: A Dowling; D Teeling, D Moore, K McCann; S Crosby, R Clarke, B Moore; E Byrne, J Flaherty 0-1; J Roche, J Flood 0-1, P Collins 1-1; J Crosby 0-5, S Nolan, J McDonnell 0-1. Subs: M Dowling for Nolan, S McArdle for Roche, J Branagan for Collins. ST COLMCILLE’S DUNBOYNE
OPENING-HALF goals from Gary McCloskey and Donal Meagher boosted St Colmcille’s to a second win in the Junior B FC at Kilbride on Sunday.
McCloskey also accounted for two first-half points as Cille’s led by double scores at the break, 2-8 to 1-4.
Cille’s were less impressive throughout the second half but still managed to stay a safe distance in front. Dunboyne reduced the deficit near the finish with a late goal and a point.
ST COLMCILLE’S: FIXTURES
FRIDAY APRIL 27
Football A League at 8.0
Div 1: Simonstown v Summerhill, H Whoriskey.
SATURDAY APRIL 28 Football B League at 7.0
Div 2: Castletown v Seneschalstown (8.0) P Mooney.
Div 3: St Michael’s v Duleek-Bellewstown, S O’Connor.
Div 4: St Ultan’s v Cortown, T Lorton.
SUNDAY APRIL 29
Football A League at 3.0
Div 2: Castletown v Duleek-Bellewstown (11.0) M Dawson; Ballinabrackey v St Michael’s P Nelis; Curraha v Walterstown.
Div 3: St Ultan’s v Kilmainham, Pat Clarke.
Football B League at 3.0
Div 5: Kilbride v Ratoath, B O’Brien; Clonard v Gaeil Colmcille, C Ryan.