A late surge saw newcomers Duleek hold last year's runners-up Blackhall Gaels to a draw in this Commons Hardward SFC Group A opener at Skryne on Sunday afternoon 16th April. Duleek ................ 0-14 Blackhall Gaels ..... 2-8 Curran, who top scored with seven points (four from play), landed the leveller in stoppage time as Duleek erased a three points deficit in the closing minutes to hold their fancied opponents. Duleek led briefly early on but boosted by a Mark Crampton goal, after Tadhg Brosnan's effort rebounded off the crossbar, Blackhall took the initiative and led by 1-3 to 0-2 after 15 minutes. However, Duleek responded positively with great scores from Chris Carney and Podge Howard before Curran's pointed to leave just the minimum margin between the sides, 0-5 to 1-3, at half-time. Within 15 seconds of the restart, Crampton had doubled Blackhall's advantage but that was soon countered by McGinley's second score. Despite injuring his left forearm, Anthony Moyles soldiered on before being replaced by Kieran Kennedy in the latter stages with his side clinging to a three points advanage. Blackhall's second goal came courtesy of a expertly dispatched penalty by Tadhg Brosnan in the 41st minute, but it seemed like a harsh call against the Duleek defence. That score left it 2-5 to 0-7 but the next three scores were Duleek's with Curran (free), McGinley and Karl McDonnell getting off the mark. Points from Crampton and Sean Whelan left Blackhall a goal clear heading into the final ten minutes and Duleek's chance looked to have gone when Carney missed a close range free and blazed a goal attempt wide. McGinley landed his third point before Cox's effort seemed to secure the spoils for the Gaels but Duleek's persistence was rewarded with those three late scores. Duleek - R. Nolan; D. Crosby, M. Dowling, K. Smith; P. Howard (0-1), A. Byrne, P. Martin; Karl McDonnell (0-1), B. Finn; T. McDonnell (0-1), Kenny McDonnell, C. McGinley (0-3); C. Carney (0-1), P. Curran (0-7), B. Cudden. Subs - D. Ferguson for Kenny McDonnell, J. Devereaux for Dowling. Blackhall Gaels - M. Whelan; D. O'Neill, B. Moyles, D. O'Brien; J. Joyce, G. Beirne, P. Brady; A. Moyles, M. Ferris; D. Beirne, J. Callinan, A. Nestor (0-2); S. Whelan (0-3), T. Brosnan (1-0), M. Crampton (1-2). Subs - R. Cox (0-1) for D. Beirne, K. Kennedy for A. Moyles. Referee - S. McCormack (Walterstown). Tweet

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