Duleek-Bellewstown 1-12 Skryne 0-8

Duleek-Bellewstown open this year's A League with a home fixture against Skryne on Friday evening last the 5th February and went in at half time 7 pts ahead through 5 pts from Conall McGinley, 2 from John Flood and one each from Mark Collins and Anthony Burke.

Half time: Duleek-Bellewstown 0-9 Skryne 0-2

Mark Collins converted a penalty on the 7th minute of the second half to extend the home sides lead to 10 pts.  Skyrne replied with a point of their own before further points from Anthony Burke and Mark Collins push D/B 11 pts clear.    Skryne began to put pressure on the D/B backs and scored 5 unanswered points before Conall McGinley had the last say for the home side by converting a free on full time, to leave the final Score Dul/Bell 1-12, Skryne 0-8.
This was a good victory for Duleek/Bellewstown in heavy conditions, with good performances from their backs who kept Skryne out on several occasions, Eanna Byrne and Kevin McCann worked well at midfield while up front the forwards tormented the Skryne defence at times with good performance from Mark Collins, Conall McGinley and Anthony Burke.

Duleek-Bellewstown: Anthony Dowling, James Murphy, Brian Moore, John McDonnell, Robin Clarke, David Moore, S. Crosby, Eanna Byrne (Capt), Kevin McCann, John Flood (0-2), M. Collins 1-2 (penalty), Padraig Howard, Anthony Burke (0-2), Conall McGinley ( 0-6 4f), Stephen McArdle.

Subs: Shane Townley for Podge Howard (h/t), Des Teeling for D. Moore, Darren Heeney for Eanna Byrne, Aaron Seery for S. McArdle.

Skryne Report

Duleek Bellewstown 1-12 Skryne 0-8

Skryne began their All County A Football League campaign with a defeat away to Duleek Bellewstown.

Although the rain stayed away during this match the pitch was in poor condition after a very wet day and was just about playable. This made it difficult to play good football but Duleek Ballewstown coped much better than Skryne and led 0-9 to 0-2 at the break with 5 of their scores coming from frees. Some of these frees were of the generous variety particularly as Mark Battersby seemed to be fouled every time he gained possession at the other end of the field.

The second half began in the same vein with the first score, a goal, coming from the penalty spot for the winners and a yellow card for Skryne goalkeeper Ian Gillette. There were also debatable black cards for Donie Ryan and substitute James Looby resulting in the Blues finishing with 14 men as they had used all 6 subs by that stage.

Having said that Duleek Bellewstown were much the better team on the night and thoroughly deserved their victrory. They attacked the Skryne rearguard at speed and always seemed to have an overlapping player free to take a pass and also take a score.

To be fair Skryne upped their efforts considerably in the second half and finished the game possibly a little stronger than the winners. Unfortunately by this stage Duleek Bellewstown were out of sight.

The losers had good performances from Ian Gillette in goal, Mark Jordan and Thomas McKeown in defence, while at midfield Donie Ryan and Ciaran Lenehan had a difficult task trying to curb the winners onslaught. Up front Conor O'Brien did well when moved out from his starting full forward position and as usual Mark Battersby was the Blues key man scoring 5 excellent points under severe pressure. Paddy Fox and Eoghan Greene brought a freshness to the team when introduced.

Skryne - Ian Gillette. Neil Lenehan, Aidan Tuite, Mark Jordan. Thomas McKeown, Mark Harrington, Adam O'Sullivan. Donie Ryan, Ciaran Lenehan (0-1). Neal Burke, Brian Davis, Stephen O'Brien. John Morley, Conor O'Brien (0-2), Mark Battersby (0-5).

Subs used - Jason Fox, Niall Morley, Paddy Fox, Eoghan Greene, James Looby and Paddy Doherty.

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