DULEEK BELLEWSTOWN After having to defeat Trim in the final relegation tie of the 2011 Meath SFC to survive in the top flight, Duleek / Bellewstown did slightly better this year. Although failing to win from five starts, two draws enabled them avoid finishing at the bottom of Group A. By Noel Coogan.
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here have been two frustrating campaigns since the amalgamated side topped their group in 2010 before losing a quarter-final to Rathkenny. This time round draws with Nobber and Moynalvey left them just above Nobber but six points off the qualifying teams. Duleek / Bellewstown had Martin Freyne (formerly of Skryne) as their new manager and Kenny McDonnell and Gordon Hynes were his selectors. Their opened their campaign with a 0-9 each draw with Nobber at Simonstown. Nobber finished the match with 13 players on the pitch after Slane referee David Gough sent off county forward Brian Farrell and Padraig Weldon inside the last few minutes. The sides were also level (0-4 each) at the break, the east Meath side having led by three points in the first half. They were on equal terms three times in the second period and in between the two dismissals Conall
Paudge Howard in determined mood
INJURIES HAMPER McGinley appeared to have given Duleek/Bellewstown the win when converting a free before Jamie Owens hit a late leveller from a similar kick. Duleek / Bellewstown’s second SFC outing, against local rivals St Patrick’s, was an even more lowscoring affair with Pat’s winning by 06 to 0-4 at Ashbourne, having led by 0-3 to 0-2 at the break.
The losers had four different scorers with Conall McGinley (free), Darren Mills, substitute Stephen McArdle and Tony Cunningham getting on target. Padraig Howard had a chance of snatching the win with a late goal but his attempt was kept out. When Duleek / Bellewstown returned to championship action 15 weeks later they were well beaten by Donaghmore / Ashbourne, who
The squad that drew with Nobber in the SFC at Simonstown, front l/r: Des Teeling, Mark Collins, John McDonnell, Brian Moore, Paudge Howard, Darren Mills, Peter Curran, John Flood, Kevin Smith, Kieron Collins. Back: Karl McDonnell, Jason Branigan, Conall McGinley, James Murphy, Tony Cunningham, Cianan Byrne, Anthony Dowling, Ricky Nolan, Eanna Byrne, Kevin McCann, Casey Dunne, David Moore, Paul Callaghan, Anthony Doonan, Anthony Burke
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