Oldcastle denied by late point

Oldcastle are still looking for their first win since they returned to the SFC after they were denied by an injury-time Duleek / Bellewstown point in this SFC encounter at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday. Both teams were totally committed and expended lots of energy, but they also made a lot of basic errors, which led to a fragmented game of football which produced a couple of soft goals. Overall, a draw was probably a fair result. Wind-assisted Oldcastle, who were without the injured Rory McHugh, had a brace of Ronan Farrelly points from play on the scoreboard inside a minute as generous Duleek / Bellewstown defending created the chances. Mark Collins converted a sixth minute free for the Duleek side, after an Oldcastle defender was penalised for handling on the ground, but Paddy Rahill split the posts at the other end a minute later. Tony Cunningham opened his side's account from play which left Duleek / Bellewstown adrift by 0-2 to 0-3 at the end of the first-quarter. Barry Curran restored a two-point advantage before Duleek / Bellewstown claimed a fortunate goal. Casey Dunne's centre in the 22nd minute caused problems for Oldcastle custodian Sean Fox who was unable to clear the danger. Stephen Nolan got a touch for a goal, but Rahill had the teams on level terms (0-5 to 1-2) at the interval after both squandered further goal chances. Duleek / Bellewstown had a chance close to the interval when an Oldcastle defender conceded a '45' which was cleared and Eoin Gilsenan missed the proverbial 'sitter' when the ball rebounded off the woodwork into his path. Scores in the third-quarter were scarce as both teams laboured in the basics, but Paddy and Eoin Gilsenan were on target for Oldcastle and Collins for Duleek, all from play, despite the fragmented nature of the game. Frees, handling errors and mis-directed passes were the norm and it was hardly surprising when Oldcastle claimed a goal of the 'soft' variety in the 19th minute. Farrelly was presented the with the ball in front of the square, Ricky Nolan blocked, but Paddy Gilsenan poked the loose ball home for a 1-7 to 1-3 advantage with 10 minutes remaining. Points from Duleek substitute Brian Moore, John Flood and Darren Mills left Oldcastle hanging on and they were caught in injury-time when Cunningham split the posts. Duleek / Bellewstown - R Nolan; D Crosbie, G Hynes, J Martin; P Howard, M Dowling, P Martin; K McDonnell, T Cunningham (0-2); C Dunne, M Collins (0-2 one free), D Mills (0-1); J Flood (0-1 free), D Martin, S Nolan (0-1). Subs - K McCann for Howard 26 mins; D Moore for Nolan half-time; B Moore (0-1) for Hynes 42m. Oldcastle - S Fox; S Farrelly, C McPartland, T Rahill; P Lynch, T Farrelly, C Caffrey; R Pakenham, V Reynolds; P Gilsenan (1-1), E Gilsenan (0-1), P Rahill (0-2 one free); N Galligan, R Farrelly (0-2), B Curran (0-1). Sub - D Hawdon for Farrelly 57 mins. Referee - Richard Morris (Blackhall Gaels).