SFC: Two out of three for O'Mahonys

June 15, 2009

Duleek/Bellewstown's Tony Cunningham tackles O'Mahony's Ross Geraghty during the Meath SFC at Seneschalstown
Ross Geraghty's goal was the catylist for Navan O'Mahonys second win from three starts in Group A of the Commons Hardware SFC as the holders finished with seven points to spare over Duleek/Bellewstown at Seneschalstown on Sunday afternoon. Navan O'Mahonys 1-12 Duleek/Bellewstown 0-8 The scores were tied at 0-5 each heading into the final 20 minutes before Sean Kelly and Sean Barry's men kicked on with 1-4 without reply to fend off tenacious opponents. Paddy Smyth pointed from play before Geraghty finished to the net following good work by Sean Keating and Shane McKeigue and suddenly four points separated the sides. Two David Bray points from play coupled with a Keating free (awarded for a foul on the O'Mahonys' number 13) left it 1-9 to 0-5 after 48 minutes. The sides shared six points in the latter stages with substitute Conal McGinley getting off the mark twice for Duleek/Bellewstown while replacement Lee Russell scored one point and made another for the holders. Duleek/Bellewstown - who conceded five goals in their previous outing against Simonstown - set out their stall out to contain the O'Mahonys' attack that fielded without the injured Stephen Bray. Ricky Nolan saved well from Shane McKeigue as the game entered the final quarter but the O'Mahonys full-forward pointed from an acute angle to leave it 1-10 to 0-6 after 53 minutes. A Geraghty point left eight between the sides, the widest margin for the hour and a second win from three starts to along with a win over Donaghmore/Ashbourne following an opening round loss to Senechalstown was O'Mahonys' lot. There was a heavy shower before the off but it didn't little to ruffle a pitch that was in great order. A brace of Mark Collins' points countered David Bray's opening score and Duleek/Bellewstown led by 0-2 to 0-1 after 12 minutes of a mediocre opening period. Three unanswered points in the remainder of the half propelled O'Mahonys to a 0-4 to 0-2 interval advantage. Henry Finnegan, wing-back Gary O'Brien and Bray (free) were the flag raisers in this phase of the game. A Mark Collins free within a minute of the restart ended Duleek/Bellewstown's long scoring blank. A quick O'Mahonys response came courtesy of a Bray point from play with assistance from Mark Ward. Another Collins score - his fourth and final one - was followed by a Gordon Hynes effort that levelled matters for the second and final time. Any chance of an upset was quickly snuffed out as O'Mahonys hit 1-4 without reply inside seven minutes and Duleek/Bellewstown - who beat Donaghmore/Ashbourne in the opening round - were consigned to their second defeat in three SFC outings. O'Mahonys - M. Brennan; S. O'Toole, K. Reilly, N. McKeigue; G. O'Brien (0-1), S. Crosby, C. McGuinness; B. Regan, M. Ward; P. Smyth (0-1), R. Geraghty (1-1), H. Finnegan (0-1); D. Bray (0-5, 1 free), S. McKeigue (0-1), S. Keating (0-1). Subs - L. Russell (0-1) for Bray (50), D. Moran for McKeigue (55), C. Reilly for Finnegan (56). Duleek/Bellewstown - R. Nolan; K. Smith, J. Martin, G. Reilly; D. Moore, P. Martin, G. Hynes (0-1); T. Cunningham, K. McDonnell; P. Curran (0-1, free), D. Ferguson, M. Collins (0-4, 2 frees, 1 '45'); C. Carney, M. Dowling, D. Mills. Subs - C. McGinley (0-2) for Mills (half-time), D. Teeling for Reilly (51). Referee - J. Farrelly (Syddan).

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