Duleek-Bellewstown claim minor crown in fine style
Before a huge crowd in Syddan, Duleek-Bellewstown put in a superb second half performance to win this Minor Football League Div 4 final with a 2-13 to 3-6 win over a well drilled Wolfe Tones side.
From the throw-in, Duleek-Bellewstown put the Tones under a lot of pressure and had chances before Adam Cadwell opened the scoring with a point from play in the fourth minute.
Wolfe Tones had a lot of players back and Duleek-Bellewstown found them hard to break down but a fine effort from Darragh McKeon saw the Duleek-Bellewstown lads register their second score in the seventh minute.
However, the Tones replied immediately before a Sam Heeney free saw Duleek-Bellewstown reopen the two point gap. After 12 minutes Darragh McKeon got his second point with a great shot off his left.
Despite further pressure Duleek-Bellewstown didn’t add to their tally and in the 20th minute, Wolfe Tones got a penalty on the counter attack which they duly converted for the first green flag of the game to level matters.
Daniel Scully in the Duleek-Bellewstown goal made a huge save but shortly afterwards the Kilberry side led when they converted a free. Sam Heeney restored parity with another free.
On the stroke of half-time, Duleek-Bellewstown were reduced to 14 with a straight red card and it looked like the momentum could be with Wolfe Tones as the teams were tied 0-5 to 1-2.
Within four minutes of the restart, Wolfe Tones were making their advantage count and led by two points. Sam Heeney got Duleek-Bellewstown level again with a free and a point from play.
Tones edged ahead before another Heeney free had the game all square again. Then the same player added two more points (a free and one from play) before Duleek-Bellewstown got their first goal when Adam Cadwell was on hand to blast home from close range.
Sam Heeney got another free to put Duleek-Bellewstown six points up but Wolfe Tones got their second goal 20 minutes into a pulsating second half to reduce that lead to three.
In the 52nd minute the gap was down to two after a great point from Wolfe Tones.
Duleek-Bellewstown responded well and got the goal of the game when a great run and then pass from Adam Cadwell found Sam Heeney who buried with a great finish.
However, Wolfe Tones didn’t lie down and got a third goal almost immediately. Another Heeney point kept Duleek-Bellewstown out of reach but Daniel Scully had to make a great save when another Tones goal seemed certain.
A further two points from Sam Heeney (free/play) saw Duleek-Bellewstown home and the final whistle was marked with great cheers from the big Duleek-Bellewstown following.
Congratulations to coaches Joe Mone, Arthur Duffy and Finn Hartford and all the lads who contributed throughout the campaign.
Duleek-Bellewstown - Daniel Scully, Conaill Deehan, Aaron Smith, Tomas Duffy, Caeoimhin Kirwan, Ben Russell, Loman Lenehan, Kyle Doherty, Eamonn Armstrong, Adam Cadwell, Sam Heeney, Darragh McKeon, Aidan Mone, Cormac Lenehan, Cormac Courtney, Alex Leonard, Max Lennon, Donnacha Murphy, Pearse Doogan, Noah Flaherty, Paddy Kavanagh, Barry Lenehan, Jamie Hunt, Liam Flaherty, Callum Ryan, Glen Callaghan, Cian O’Halloran