Duleek Bellewstown Cling to Victory Over Ballinlough (17/06/15)
Ballinlough were unlucky to lose by the slimmest of margins against a determined Duleek / Bellewstown side, in this tight encounter played in sunny conditions in Bellewstown on Wednesday evening.
Duleek Bellewstown: 2-06
Ballinlough: 1-08
Duleek Bellewstown: 2-06
Ballinlough: 1-08
Ballinlough's Colm Mallen
The hosts started the contest on the front foot, and raced into a 1-5 to 0-2 lead by the half time break. Ballinlough’s first score came in the thirteenth minute, a free converted by Peadar Byrne. A minute later, Sean Geraghty split the posts with a fine effort, after a great pass by Ronan McGuinness.
This briefly tied matters at two points apiece, but a purple patch by Duleek Bellewstown saw them then hit 1-3 without reply before half time. Conall McGinley was particularly to the fore, as he picked up three impressive scores. But for some wayward shooting, the home side could have entered the change of ends with an even more commanding lead.
The second half was a completely different affair, as the ‘Lough dominated proceedings from the off. Kevin Devine began the resurgence with a sweetly struck free three minutes in.
Moments later, the visitors had the ball in the back of the net. The flowing team move was started and completed by full back Michael Geraghty, who cleared the ball from defence up to James O’ Higgins on the wing. O’Higgins sent a high ball into the area, which was punched down by Derek Muldoon into the path of Geraghty who finished powerfully to the roof of the net.
Devine converted another free to reduce the deficit to the minimum, before the home side picked up their sole point of the second period after a quick break up the field.
The ‘Lough continued to dominate however, and some patient build up play saw Colm Mallen pick up an impressive point in the twentieth minute of the half. A similar move soon after saw Mallen fouled in front of goal and Byrne was on hand to convert the free and draw the game level at 1-6 apiece.
It looked as though the momentum with Ballinlough would see them go on to win the contest, but with just a minute left on the clock, a quick break up the field saw Duleek /Bellewstown pick up their second major score of the contest.
A dramatic final few minutes saw Devine and Sean Geraghty pick up points to narrow the gap, but the visitors could not get that final vital score. Tempers were starting to flare as the referee brought the game to a close, as Ballinlough were once again unlucky to leave with nothing.
Ballinlough: K. McGuinness, E. Smith, M. Geraghty, R. Farrell, P. Muldoon, Colm Mallen, Johnny Reilly, P. Byrne, K. Devine, Cian Mallen, R. McGuinness, K. Beirne, S. Geraghty, T. McCullen, Junior O’Reilly. Subs: D. Muldoon for T. McCullen, J. O’Higgins for Junior O’Reilly, J. Tunney for K. Beirne.
This briefly tied matters at two points apiece, but a purple patch by Duleek Bellewstown saw them then hit 1-3 without reply before half time. Conall McGinley was particularly to the fore, as he picked up three impressive scores. But for some wayward shooting, the home side could have entered the change of ends with an even more commanding lead.
The second half was a completely different affair, as the ‘Lough dominated proceedings from the off. Kevin Devine began the resurgence with a sweetly struck free three minutes in.
Moments later, the visitors had the ball in the back of the net. The flowing team move was started and completed by full back Michael Geraghty, who cleared the ball from defence up to James O’ Higgins on the wing. O’Higgins sent a high ball into the area, which was punched down by Derek Muldoon into the path of Geraghty who finished powerfully to the roof of the net.
Devine converted another free to reduce the deficit to the minimum, before the home side picked up their sole point of the second period after a quick break up the field.
The ‘Lough continued to dominate however, and some patient build up play saw Colm Mallen pick up an impressive point in the twentieth minute of the half. A similar move soon after saw Mallen fouled in front of goal and Byrne was on hand to convert the free and draw the game level at 1-6 apiece.
It looked as though the momentum with Ballinlough would see them go on to win the contest, but with just a minute left on the clock, a quick break up the field saw Duleek /Bellewstown pick up their second major score of the contest.
A dramatic final few minutes saw Devine and Sean Geraghty pick up points to narrow the gap, but the visitors could not get that final vital score. Tempers were starting to flare as the referee brought the game to a close, as Ballinlough were once again unlucky to leave with nothing.
Ballinlough: K. McGuinness, E. Smith, M. Geraghty, R. Farrell, P. Muldoon, Colm Mallen, Johnny Reilly, P. Byrne, K. Devine, Cian Mallen, R. McGuinness, K. Beirne, S. Geraghty, T. McCullen, Junior O’Reilly. Subs: D. Muldoon for T. McCullen, J. O’Higgins for Junior O’Reilly, J. Tunney for K. Beirne.