Duleek made no mistake as they started their IFC with a comfortable win over Rathkenny in Donore. Rathkenny 0-6 Duleek 0-12 Rathkenny and Duleek met in the first round of this year's intermediate championship in Donore and both teams were hoping to get off to a winning start. Duleek won the toss and chose to play with the wind in the first half. This paid off early on as they went into a five-point lead. Peter Curran got the first before Conall McGinley pointed the first of his five in an impressive display by the Math U-21 player. McGinley struck again before Aodhghan Byrne got on the score sheet with a point from wide out on the right. Another McGinley score went over before Rathkenny got off the mark. Byrne scored another during a strong display on the '40 ahead of Rathkenny's best period, which was a two-point haul in as many minutes. Stephen Murphy halted the minor comeback with a point on the run from midfield. Rathkenny got one more before the break but it was Duleek who had the last say of the half with a Curran free. Half time Rathkenny 0-4 Duleek 0-8 The second half continued much as the first half had ended. Duleek were on top for much of this period but could not convert their chances to scores. This always left the chance for a Rathkenny comeback. McGinley and Byrne opened the scoring before Rathkenny scored their two second half points. Rathkenny piled on the pressure during this period but the Duleek full back line of Ciaran Byrne, Mark Cudden and Kevin Smith dealt with everything that came in. Two more points before the end by McGinley and Curran killed off any chance of a Rathkenny comeback. Duleek - R Nolan, M. Cudden, C. Byrne, K. Smith, D. Teeling, P. Martin, G. Hynes, K. McDonnell, S. Murphy (0-01), P. Curran (0-03), A. Byrne (0-3), C. McGinley (0-5), A. Joyce, M. Johnson, A. Cudden. Tweet

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