Meath Hill 1-11 Duleek/Bellewstown 0-15
Duleek/Bellewstown GAA travelled to Meath Hill GAA and left with both points after a hard earned one point win.
Both teams were in form with two wins each in the Feis and Tailteann Cups respectively with Meath Hill defying their Junior status throughout this game. Referee David Gough had a good game punishing defenders for off the ball infractions on a number of occasions.
The game was level after 15 mins with pointed frees from Jamie Crosby (2) and John Flood. Duleek/Bellewstown then raced into a four point lead before the break with further points from Crosby (2 frees) and Flood, together with a fine effort from Stephen McArdle.
Half time score; Meath Hill 0-3 Duleek/Bellewstown 0-7
A gutsy performance from the north Meath outfit saw them come from five points down shortly after the restart with another pointed free from Crosby. The young forward was an able replacement for his veteran sharp shooter team mate Conal McGinley who was unavailable on the night. Ricky Nolan replaced Anthony Burke at half time and after being involved in a few tussles was eventually replaced by his brother Stephen.
In an exciting third quarter Shane Crosby and Jamie Crosby (2 each) and Kieran Flynn kept Duleek/Bellewstown ahead.
In the final quarter Kieran Flynn was black carded and replaced by George Martin. Jamie Crosby and Flood scored twice each for the East Meath side to go five points clear for a second time with time running out.
Meath Hill created a fight back with an unanswered goal and a point as time finally ran out for Meath Hill. Duleek/Bellewstown's first game in Div 2 was a tough one and Meath Hill should be encouraged by their performance against the senior outfit.
Duleek/Bellewstown team and scorers; Anthony Dowling, James Murphy, Jason Brannigan, Shane Townley, John McDonnell, David Moore, Stephen McArdle (0.01), Shane Crosby (0.02), Eanna Byrne, Anthony Burke, John Flood (0.04, 1 frees), Jamie Crosby (0.07, 6 frees), Darren Heeney, Brian Moore, Kieran Flynn (0.01).
Subs; Ricky Nolan for Anthony Burke, Stephen Nolan for Ricky Nolan, George Martin for Kieran Flynn.
Meath Hill Report
Meath Hill 1-11 Duleek/Bellewstown 0-15
Our 2017 All County A League campaign started last night with the arrival of Duleek/Bellewstown to Meath Hill. After two consecutive wins in the Tailteann Cup we were hoping to continue our winning start to 2017 in the A League, however this was always going to prove a tough task against Senior Championship outfit Duleek/Bellewstown.
The away side got off to the better start and dominated position in the opening stages of the game, however some determined defending by the Hill kept them at bay. Chris Yorke got the opening score of the game from a long range free on 4 mins. Unfortunately this would be the only time Meath Hill would lead in the game. The away side started to make all their position count and where 0-03 to 0-01 on 7 mins. A point from Tommy Rooney on 9 mins narrowed the gap to the minimum. Both teams traded points on 17 mins, Meath Hill's point coming from Kieran Slavin. The away side quickly added to more points to extend their lead, 0-06 to 0-03. Two black cards for the home side Ryan Owens (21 mins) and Emmett Matthews (25 mins) meant they where going to have a mountain to climb in the second half. The away side added another point on 25 mins to extend their lead at half time, 0-07 to 0-03.
Meath Hill 0-03 Duleek/Bellewstown 0-07
The second half started off in the same way as the first with the away side dominating position. The away side extended their lead, 0-11 to 0-05, on 37 mins. Both Meath Hill's points coming from the boot of Ian Malone. Meath Hill started to come more into the game as the half went on and scored the next four points, narrowing the gap 0-11 to 0-09 on 44 mins. Points coming from Tomás Smith, Pierce McGrath and Ian Malone with another two. It was the away side who would dominate the scoreboard for the next 14 mins outscoring Meath Hill 4 points to 1, Pierce McGrath with Meath Hill's point. The home side would not give up though, showing great heart and determination going into injury time 5 points. They started to cut into the deficit with a goal from Tommy Rooney. A 45 from Chris Yorke dropped short at the edge of the square and Tommy fisted the ball into the net to narrow the gap. Another point from Tommy Rooney with 60 seconds of injury time left, the home team tried their best to get the equaliser but the final whistle sounded.
Overall we can take a lot of positives from this game. Playing a team two championship grades above us, we showed we where a match for them on many occasions. A bit more clinical in front of goal and we could have ended up with a win. With a few more of our men back for the coming matches we can only get stronger. We quickly have to turn our attention to our neighbours Nobber, who we play at home next Sunday 26th February at 11:30a.m. in Round 2 of the A League.
Meath Hill: Dominic Yorke, Simon Martin, Ryan Owens, Conor Marry, Matthew Carolan, Martin Tully, Chris Yorke (0-01), Tommy Yorke (1-02), Jason Yorke, Ryan Carry, Pierce McGrath (0-02), Mickey McCabe, Ian Malone (0-04), Emmett Matthews, Kieran Slavin (0-01). Subs used; Tomás Smith (0-01) for Ryan Owens (BC), Ross McGrath for Emmett Matthews (BC), Graham Boylan for Matthew Carolan, Cathal Marry for Mickey McCabe, Sean Rooney for Ryan Carry.