St. Michaels 2-12, Duleek Bellewstown 1-16

Had Hawk-Eye been in place in Duleek last evening it would have been called into action on two occasions for a resolution on two disputed “wides” for the St. Michaels lads, but it wasn't and the main talking point among the management, players and supporters of St. Michaels at the end of this epic match in Duleek was all about those disputed “wides”.                                 

This was a rousing encounter all the way through by two well matched sides who will meet later in the first round of the intermediate championship, a tie to look forward to based on this game. Duleek Bellewstown raced into an early lead with 1-3 in the opening five minutes, the goal coming on 5 minutes, they added another minor from a '45 two minutes later. Shane McDonnell opened the St. Michaels scoring with a fine effort from play on four minutes, Shane McCormack made his customary trip up the field to convert a free before the two efforts from play by Brian O'Reilly and Ray Reilly were waved wide much to the amazement of their team mates especially David Lynch who picked up a yellow card for expressing his grievences to referee Eamon Barry. 

McDonnell who scored an incredible 1-8 for the hour, rattled the Duleek net on nine minutes before another McCormack free left just a point between the sides at the end of the opening quarter. In a very competitive second quarter both sides availed of their opportunities in front of the posts with McDonnell splitting the posts on four occasions but his side still trailed by 3 at the short whistle, 1-7 to 1-10.   

Ray Reilly fired over a great effort 30 seconds into the new half, which was quickly followed by points from Jakub Bidzinski and McDonnell which put St. Michaels on level terms at 1-10 apiece. The home side went back in front with two points, one from a placed ball, another McDonnell effort left one between the sides before David Lynch blasted to the back of the home sides net after some good foraging work by Ray Reilly to go one ahead on the 20 minute  mark. Lynch became the provider when he put McDonnell through for a two point lead on 51 minutes. David Lynch then picked up his second yellow and made the long walk to the line while Duleek Bellewstown picked up the momentum adding another effort from play on 52 minutes and while the St. Michaels lads showed some great resiliance while a man down, the home side struck late in the three minutes of injury time for the equaliser and winning scores.  

St. Michaels team and scorers: Shane McCormack (0-2); Ben Reilly, Ciaran O'Reilly, Harry Dunne; Daniel Murphy, Matthew Halpin, Brian O'Reilly; J.B. O'Reilly, Paddy Clarke; Ray Reilly (0-1), Shane McDonnell (1-8), Declan Reilly; David Lynch (1-0), Jakub Bidzinski (0-1), Paddy Fitzsimons.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Subs: Cian Sheridan for D. Reilly.                                                                                                                                                                                   

Referee: Eamon Barry.                

Match report and photo: Pascal Reilly PRO.                      

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