Delany inspires a rare Rock win
ROCK Celtic gained a welcome win after five straight defeats in the League which sees them propping up the North East premier table. So this was a timely boost as they advanced in the Leinster Junior Cup at the expense of their Athlone visitors on Sunday.
Returning striker Derek Delany was the main inspiration behind the result, scoring a straight hattrick, as the Seasiders had their place in the next round in their grasp by the interval. Thanks to the striker they had opened up a three nil lead by that stage
Delany’s partner Dessie McKeown made it four-nil when the visitors goalkeeper couldn’t hold Delany’s powerful shot, and he was left with a tap-in.
David Ward was instrumental in stretching the lead even further when he cut inside and his delivery was turned into his net by a Ballinahown defender.
The visitors pulled a goal back then, but Ward was the architect once again as he put substitute Liam Keenan in to finish well with his right foot.
Substitute Conor McDonnell conceded a spot kick to allow the visitors score their second goal. ROCK: Fergal Sheehy, Chris Berrills, Paddy Reilly, Conor Rafferty, Ferghal McDonald, Paddy O’Connor (Garry Lennon), Shane O’Callaghan (Liam Keenan), David Ward, Jamie McCaul (Brendan Rogers), Derek Delany (Conor McDonnell), Dessie McKeown.