Duleek edged out

 

Rock Celtic _____________1

Duleek__________________0

UNITED Park was rocking and rolling last Saturday evening immediately after the final whistle sounded to bring a halt to the MDL Challenge Cup final.

Unfortunately for Duleek they were not the team who were left to savour a sweet victory. Instead they had to watch as the Rock Celtic players and supporters danced and sang on the Drogheda Utd pitch as they celebrated their third Challenge Cup win in six final appearances.

For Duleek they were left to reflect on an evening that was a mixture of emotions for them with the concession of a goal after just 19 minutes unravelling their hopes of taking the cup back home for the second time in three years.

That goal was scored by Des McKeown who stole in behind a startled Duleek defence to head home from close range after the ball was whipped in from the left.The goal came after an opening spell that was dominated by the Louth club and it looked at that stage as if the current Premier challengers would go on and win by the proverbial landslide. Rock could easily have been three or four up before they finally, inevitably, found the target. Gavin Mulholland fluffed a great chance and Chris Connolly also threatened, dragging his shot wide. And former Dundalk player David Ward was put through with only the Duleek 'keeper David Andrews to beat. The 'keeper held his nerve, waited for his moment and pounced to gain possession just as Ward was about to pull the trigger. It was a warning for Duleek that became a harsh reality a few minutes later with McKeown using his height to climb high and head home.

Just as they have demonstrated in their march to the final Duleek showed real character to haul themselves back into the game and they went on to dominate the second-half.

They just couldn't find the incisive pass to unlock a the Rock defence that lived up to it's name with Duleek restricted to long range shots and the hope that they might get lucky from a free or a corner.

And the evening was not without a tinge of controversy when late in the opening half Rock Celtic's John Sharkey brought down speed merchant Chris Jein who was steaming towards goal. Sharkey had already received a yellow shortly before that and he must have breathed a big sigh of relief when he only got a stern talking to from referee John Regan instead of another card.

Duleek's frustration at that decision was reflected at the final whistle when co-manager Terry Cassin was shown a red card by referee Regan who overall gave a good performance.

The fact that Jein was the Duleek player brought down was a good indication of the type of problems he caused the Rock defence all evening with his pacy, skilful runs and he was right up there when it came to Duleek's list of best performers.

The industrious James Guilfoyle also did well at midfield and like many of his colleagues he came to the fore in the second-half, spraying passes around from his central midfield position.

Gavin Brennan also did well down the wing and used his cultured left foot to swing in crosses and corners as well as carry out his defensive duties when required.

The Duleek players couldn't be faulted for their effort as they worked relentlessy to get into the game after their shaky start with Jason White also doing well. The one element missing from Duleek's game was their abiltity to find the key to unlock the Rock backline.

There were half-chance which, on another day, might have taken a deflection and ended up in the net. Guilfoyle almost played in Murphy, Jein couldn't get enough power in a shot. Paul Martin headed over from close range. However, the equaliser proved elusive and Rock held firm.

Rock Celtic – G Lennon; J Sharkey, J Lally, D McGeough, S O'Callaghan, G Mulholland, C Connolly, G Breen, D Ward, D McKeown, B Renaghan. Subs – C Ward for McKeown, D English for Connolly.

Duleek – D Andrews; J White, G Brennan, C Dowd, P Martin, R Carr, B Murphy, S Neary, I Devine, J Guilfoyle, C Jein. Subs – P Dowd for Neary, C Woods for Devine.

Referee – John Regan; assistants – Conor Byrne, John Barry, fourth official Fergus McMahon (Meath Branch ISRS).