Kavanagh at the double as Duleek stun the champions
JADED-LOOKING champions Muirhevnamor, facing a crowded playing schedule owing to still being heavily involved in the Dundalk Summer League, suffered a surprise defeat on Sunday as Duleek bounced back from their opening-day heavy defeat.
Pete Brennan’s team were much sharper than against Quay Celtic the week before and from an early stage William Woods, James Guilfoyle and Noonan were prominent, resulting in two one-on-one opportunities.
Martin was denied by Michael Cooney in the Muirhevnamor goal, and then McGroggan was similarly frustrated as he attempted to chip the keeper.
The breakthrough came on the half-hour mark when McGroggan bore down on Cooney
DULEEK MUIRHEVNAMOR 2 1
once more, but this time he opted to square the ball towards Barry Kavanagh who slotted home from 10 yards.
Muirhevnamor twice went close to an equaliser, hitting the top of the bar before heading wide, while at the other end Kavanagh was denied by the fingertips of Cooney.
Last season’s champions eventually hauled themselves level courtesy of a direct free kick by Jimmy Cooney, only for Duleek to regain the lead soon after.
Gareth Toal, who was increasingly influential, slotted the ball through to McGroggan, and although Cooney parried his shot the ball ran loose to Kavanagh who tapped home from six yards.
The champions applied a lot of pressure in the latter stages, but they were denied on more than one occasion by Duleek keeper Carolan. The standout save came from a 25-yard effort by Chris Caulfield as Duleek clung on for victory.
DULEEK: Keith Carolan, Jack Fitzpatrick (Karl Dyas), Bryan Murphy, Jamie Flaherty, Craig Brodigan, Matthew Noone, James Guilfoyle (Gareth Toal), Cormac McGroggan, Colin Woods, Daniel Martin, Barry Kavanagh (Caelan Duff). Subs not used: Killian Brodigan, Stefan O’Neill.
MUIRHEVNAMOR: Michael Cooney, Steven Smith, Craig Dixon (Sean Conlon), Philip Duffy, Jimmy Cooney, Thomas McShane (Anto McLaughlin), Mickey O’Kane, Brendan Hughes, Gary Clarke, Tiernan Mulvenna (Wayne Robinson), Paudie Hearty (Chris Caulfield).