IFC: Duleek-Bellewstown advance at Oldcastle's expense

Johnny McDonnell sends over a crucial late point for Duleek Bellewstown in thei IFC round 3 win over Oldcastle at Carlanstown

IFC: Duleek-Bellewstown advance at Oldcastle’s expense

Duleek-Bellewstown 0-13 Oldcastle 0-7

Duleek-Bellewstown advanced to the quarter-finals of the Meath Intermediate Football Championship after this six-point win over Oldcastle in wet conditions at Carlanstown. Anthony Malone’s men went through to the knockout stages with Oldcastle losing out on scoring-difference.

The conditions at the well-appointed St Michael’s venue were the complete opposite of those experienced in the opening two rounds. After ten minutes, it became obvious that the team who coped better with the elements would have a good chance of coming out on top.

The talk all week was that Eamonn Armstrong was home and would be in the starting Duleek-Bellewstown XV. The rising St Kilda and former Meath U20 star started with 11 on his back but played most of the game in midfield and, alongside Robin Clarke, the duo dominated proceedings.

Frees from John Flood and full-forward James McWeeney put the winners two up inside the opening ten minutes. Pat Crawley opened Oldcastle’s account, but by the 20th minute Duleek-Bellewstown were 0-5 to 0-2 in front following fine scores from Armstrong, Flood and the very impressive Sam O’Leary.

Crawley and Pearse Sheridan narrowed the lead, but before the break McWeeney (2) and James McGarvey had opened up a 0-8 to 0-4 advantage.

Scores were at a premium in the second half. Both sides enjoyed a fair amount of possession but had little to show for their efforts on the scoreboard.

A brace from Crawley reduced the deficit to three before O’Leary and McWeeney responded to make it a five-point game. Crawley again reduced that lead and, with eight minutes remaining, Oldcastle, despite being behind, were still in a position to advance on scoring difference.

The men in green and gold were not finished, however. Substitutes Joe Hartford and Johnny McDonnell stepped up with crucial points to send Duleek-Bellewstown through to the quarter-finals.

Duleek-Bellewstown: Ryan Lynch, Cillian Kirwan, Colm Regan, Glen Callaghan, Cianan Byrne, Tom Bowden, Oisin Miland, Shane Crosby, Robin Clarke, Kyle Doherty, Eamonn Armstrong 0-1, Sam O’Leary 0-2, John Flood 0-2, James McWeeney 0-5, James McGarvey 0-1. Subs: Joe Hartford 0-1, Johnny McDonnell 0-1.

Oldcastle: Mick Galligan, Cian McPartland, Thomas Sheridan, Oran O’Reilly, Rory Crawley, James Cooke, Steven Lawless, Oran Mulvanny, Paul Hennessy 0-1, Shane Boylan, Colin Hawdon, Pearse Sheridan 0-1, Ryan Halpin, Pat Crawley 0-5, Jason Scully. Subs: Dylan Garrigan, Ronan Maguire, Robbie Farrelly, Paddy Rahill.

Referee: Ciaran Flynn.