Quay win keeps Rock survival hopes alive
ROCK are battling bravely to keep the trap door from opening. Oddson all season to make the drop to the first division, after two defeats in a row they simply had to win this local derby at Sandy Lane on Friday to have any chance of surviving.
The three points moved the seasiders off the bottom, swapping places with Duleek, but they still have a lot to do to hold on to their long held place in the top flight.
They have two tough games to play, admittedly both at home, against the champions Navan Cosmos who are still in contention to retain their title and the other against Duleek who they moved two points ahead of with this result, but with four games more played.
Veteran striker Dessie McKeown was again the man Rock had to thank for reviving their slim chance of survival, scoring a crucial second goal five minutes after his second-half introduction.
Paddy Reilly then sealed victory and the double over Quay with a marvellous individual third goal five minutes from time when he advanced from just inside the Quay half and let fly a soaring shot that flew into the top corner of the net from 30 yards.
Another of Rock’s seasoned campaigners Paul Scanlon, who has returned to action this season, was hugely instrumental in the outcome with an outstanding goalkeeping performance coupled with a vital slice or two of luck, with young full-backs Brendan Rogers and Oisin Meegan making important goal line clearances with Quay exerting strong pressure for the opening 20 minutes of the second half.
The visitors quickly wiped out the lead that the impressive Phelim Joyce gave Rock before the break when he forced home the ball at the second attempt after John Rogers saved first a free by Derek Delany from the edge of the box and then Paddy Reilly’s follow up shot from point blank range. The home midfielder was another who made a big contribution to the victory.
Quickly after that a great driving run out of his half by Jack Reid offered Rock a great chance to make it two-nil but Tomiwa Bodun overran the ball straight to goalkeeper John Rogers when free inside the Quay box.
Colin Finan seized on a mistake by Shane O’Callaghan to quickly equalise with the second half only started, and Quay really had Rock in trouble. But the big turning point came when McKeown ghosted in unmarked at the back post to finish off a glorious move with central defender Jack Reid giving left back Brendan Rogers a lot to do to get onto his pass down the left wing ahead of a defender. With his pace he not only did that but whipped in first time a pinpoint cross as McKeown closed in at the back post.
McKeown looked bound to add a second goal as Derek Delany squeezed the ball across the Quay goal line from the end line with goalkeeper John Rogers drawn out, but a defender just managed to do enough to ensure the striker didn’t divert it into the net.
Rock’s luck held into stoppage time when Martin Smith couldn’t capitalise on the only mistake made by Scanlon. Colin Finan’s powerful free-kick from the edge of the box bounced off the goalkeeper’s chest straight to the in-rushing striker who knocked it over the crossbar from a couple of yards straight in front of goal.
Substitute Dean Sheil also broke free inside the six yard box to the right of goal but made a weak attempt with his head to try and score. QUAY: John Rogers, Michael Burke, Gary Shevlin (Dean Sheil), Stefan McKevitt, David Redmond, Sean Matthews, Niall McLaughlin, Denis Cholach (Jonathan Winters) Colin Finan, Martin Smith, Adam McKenna (Vinny Smith).
ROCK: Paul Scanlon, Brendan Rogers, Jack Reid, Shane O’Callaghan, Liam Keenan (Oisin Meegan 40), Ed Maguire, Paddy Reilly, Phelim Joyce (Jamie McCaul 83), Tomiwa Badun (Dessie McKeown 65), Derek Delany, David Ward.