Wolfe Tones 1-9 Duleek Bellewstown 1-10

A late brace of points from Peter Curran and Paul Martin in the final two minutes ensured that Duleek Bellewstown emerged victorious in the Division 2 B league final played in Skryne on Saturday night.

Just as in their league tussle earlier in the year when the game ended in a draw with a late late Tones goal, both teams were evenly matched and there was little between the sides all though and the game was played in a very sporting manner.

From a scoring perspective the game was won in the first 10 and last 5 minutes as the men in green and gold scored the majority of their scores in those two periods but ultimately it was their work rate throughout the game which ensured that they were in that match winning position with 5 minutes to go.

The Tones opened the scoring with a free on 3 minutes with John McDonnell levelling matters in the next minute. Peter Curran pointed in the ninth and then a Kieron Collins goal and second Peter Curran point has Duleek Bellewstown 5 points to good after the opening 10 minutes.  After that initial scoring burst the game was then scoreless for the next 7 minutes until the Tones got their scoring back on track with a point from their centre half but Tony Andrews restored the 5 point gap on 19 minutes. Two further Tones points and a Joey Martin effort left four between the teams at the interval.

The Tones opened the second half with serious intent and had the Duleek Bellewstown rearguard under pressure immediately. The pressure resulted in two pointed frees in the opening five minutes to reduce the deficit to two. Peter Curran stopped the Tones flow with a pointed free in the 8th minutes and then like the first half there was an intense period of 10 minutes when neither team could raise a flag with defences on top

The in the 18th minute the Tones began a purple patch which saw them take the lead for the first time since the opening moments of the game.  Two further pointed frees in the 18th and 19th minute had reduced the lead to the minimum. Then in the next attack they got the goal to put them in front and even though Daniel Martin reduced the deficit immediately the Tones responded again to restore their two point advantage with 8 minutes left. It looked as if they were going to push on and close out the win but that turned out to be their last score.

But Duleek Bellewstown hung in there and in winning some loose ball in the half backs began to pressurise the Tones defence. First Jamie Flaherty pointed in the 26th minute to get the gap to a single point,  As the game entered its final minutes Wayne Noone had a goal effort cleared by the Tones defence  and from the resultant clearance Peter Curran popped up to level matters. At this stage extra time was looming and as the Tones mounted their own attack the ball was cut out and worked down field and Paul Martin found himself in space and pointed from 30 yards to claim victory.

Duleek-Bellewstown: A Dowling,  J Mc Donnell(0-1), J Murphy, R Clarke, J Burke,P Martin (0-1)  S Townley, E Byrne, M Dowling, P Curran(0-4), D Martin (0-1) S Mc Ardle K Collins (1-0,) W Noone.  T Andrews (0-1) . Subs J Martin(0-1) for S Townley, K Mc Donnell for M Dowling  D Mills for K Collins, J Flaherty(0-1) for T Andrews


Wolfe Tones 1-9
Duleek Bellewstown 1-10

Wolfe Tones' bid for double 'B' glory came up short as Duleek Bellewstown took the honours by the narrowest of margins in the Division 2 B-League final played under lights in Skryne on Saturday night.

The combination outfit always looked the more likely to take the spoils after an opening period of dominance which had them leading 1-3 to 0-1 after 15 minutes of play. However, Wolfe Tones gritted their teeth and gradually battled their way back into the contest. When club veteran Niall Mcloughlin netted on 52 minutes, Tones led 1-8 to 1-6, but some excellent finishing from Duleek Bellewstown saw them reel off the final three points of the game to take the glory.

Wolfe Tones opened the scoring when Thomas O'Reilly converted after winning his own free. Wolfe Tones looked a mere shadow of themselves in the opening exchanges, making some uncharacteristic mistakes. Duleek took full advantage and hit 1-3 without reply, the goal coming rather cheaply as Tones failed to deal with a long ball into the square.

Wolfe Tones eventually found their feet and gained some valuable territory. However, Duleek's well organised and disciplined defensive unit made it difficult for the Tones to create any clear-cut chances. Wolfe Tones added points from Aonghus McLoughlin, Sean Moriarty and Thomas O'Reilly to leave the half-time score 1-5 to 0-4.

Duleek were good value for their half-time lead, but a rejuvenated Wolfe Tones team came out for the second half. Gordon Ward's charges opened the half brightly with two pointed frees from hot prospect Thomas O'Reilly. Both teams defended very well in the following period, with Daniel O'Neill, Sean Moriarty and Alan McKeever starring for the Tones. The introduction of local hero Darren McGrath steadied the ship and after two further pointed frees from O'Reilly, only one point separated the sides. Duleek 1-6 Wolfe Tones 0-8.

Wolfe Tones' pressure paid off as they edged their noses in front with a goal on 52 minutes. Alan Fox began the move after winning a break around the middle. The little maestro slipped it to Darren McGrath who found the on-rushing Niall McLoughlin. McLoughlin played a nicely weighted 1-2 with David O'Neill before calmly rolling to net. It was like watching an episode of 'Reeling in the Years' for the Tones contingent; the senior members of the team proving once more that there is no substitute for experience.

Duleek's quick response was cancelled out by Alan Fox point to restore the two point lead. Wolfe Tones would be left to rue a further three wides in the following minutes which could have put the issue beyond doubt. Duleek responded admirably and chalked off the final three points of the game. Former Meath star Peter Curran proved his class with a well-taken equaliser on the stroke of 60 minutes. This was followed a minute later by an excellent Paul Martin effort which split the posts from 45 metres to seal the victory.

Wolfe Tones will feel aggrieved by the harsh black card of full back Darragh Browne with 10 minutes remaining, but can take pride from some fine performances in what was a very young Wolfe Tones team. Youngsters Charlie McGarry, Daniel O'Neill, Conor Sheppard and Sean Moriarty were prominent against this physically imposing Duleek side which will please manager Gordon Ward.

Wolfe Tones: Conor Brennan; Alan McKeever, Darragh Browne, Sean Moriarty; Daniel O'Neill, Aonghus McLoughlin, Conor Sheppard; Niall McLoughlin, Christopher Blaney; Gary McFadden, Alan Fox, Luke Sheridan, Thomas O'Reilly, Padraig Diamond, Patrick Caffrey. Subs: Charlie McGarry for Sheridan (20 mins), David O'Neill for McFadden (25 mins), Darren McGrath for Diamond (HT), Robert White for Browne (BC) (50 mins).

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