Martin strike ends Duleek drop fear

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A PRECIOUS goal by Daniel Martin early in the second half divided the bottom two teams and was sufficient to save Duleek from dropping straight back into the first division.

The points lifted them level with Boyne Harps and Quay Celtic and the equations worked out in their favour. Quay Celtic still have a last chance to stay up and send Harps into a play-off if they manage a point or more in their final match against dethroned champions Navan Cosmos.

For Rock, already relegated, this was a dead rubber and they were without a raft of players and had eight under-18 players in their squad on Friday night at Sandy Lane.

Their manager Robert Cosgrove was also pressed into lining out to provide some experience in the heart of the defence, which held out until Martin nipped in ahead of young goalkeeper Tom McDonagh to latch onto a cross and head in the all-important goal for Duleek.

McDonough, making his debut along with a couple of the club’s successful under-17 team, pulled off two spectacular saves afterwards in a distinguished and promising start at this level.

A dismal season for Rock ended sadly for Jack Reid as he picked up a second yellow card in the dying seconds and was dismissed. The youngster was one of their best players over the campaign, his first at this level.