Premier Division has New leaders

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NEWFOUNDWELL are sitting pretty at the summit of the North East League Premier Division table for another week at least after they defeated Rock and other results went their way.

The side jointly managed by Danny Gartland and Paul Crowley overcame Rock at Sandy Lane on Friday night more comfortably than the scoreline suggests, but probably expected to be back in third place on goal difference following Sunday morning’s fixtures.

However, Navan Cosmos lost their 100% record against Trim Celtic and Quay Celtic were surprisingly held by lowly Kingscourt, and with no top-flight fixtures this week as the Leinster Junior Cup competition begins, the Drogheda men can enjoy being table-toppers for a few days yet.

The ‘Well started strongly on Friday evening and should have gone ahead when Craig O’Connor teed up Carl Brannigan who deflected the ball over the Rock crossbar with the goal gaping.

Kevin Bull then headed home a Gaz Smith cross, only to have the effort ruled out for offside, but the breakthrough arrived shortly after when Martin Kelly played a onetwo with O’Connor before slotting low to the bottom corner past Rock keeper Damien McCrink.

However, Rock - without a point from their opening four games - hauled themselves back level before half-time. Their best player on the night, Dessie McKeown, linked up with Paddy O’Connor and Fearghal McDonald and drove into the area before being taken down by Tom Reilly. Ref Brian Murphy awarded the penalty kick and David Ward sent Bryan Smith the wrong way from the spot.

Newfoundwell restored their lead after some poor Rock defending early in the second half. A long clearance from the visitors’ keeper Smith was collected by O’Connor in acres of space and the winger advanced unchallenged towards goal before chipping over the exposed McCrink.

O’Connor then added his second goal of the evening by slotting low to the bottom corner, and in trying to keep the ball out McCrink injured himself and had to be replaced in goal by outfield player Garry Lennon.

However, Rock made a fight of it and pulled a goal back in the 78th minute when McKeown nodded a Jamie McCaul cross past Smith.

Cool heads in the Newfoundwell team ensured there were no further scares, though, with John Kermode’s introduction from the bench following the end of his GAA season with Newtown Blues a boost. However, one of their top scorers from last season, Ciaran Carroll, still hasn’t featured this season as he makes a slow recovery from an ankle injury.