Duleek made to fight for victory
DULEEK 1 KINGSC0URT HARPS 0
DANIEL Martin’s 13th-minute strike proved to be the winner at the Tollstone on Sunday afternoon as Duleek climbed into the top half of the Premier table.
Looking to build on their excellent win over Muirhevnamor the previous week, Pete Brennan’s side got off to the perfect start when Bryan Murphy got his head to a James Guilfoyle corner kick, resulting in a scramble in the heart of the Kingscourt penalty area.
After a couple of ricochets, Martin produced a classy finish past the Kingscourt keeper courtesy of a deft back-heel in the six-yard box.
For the next 20 minutes Duleek threatened to add to their lead on several occasions, with Martin and Cormac McGroggan getting further shots away and Barry Kavanagh being denied on three occasions by the Harps netminder.
The keeper also made a miraculous double save from Murphy at point-blank range to keep his team in the game.
Towards the end of the first half the Kingscourt sweeper began to have an impact as he stepped out from the back, resulting in a couple of corners for the away side, but Duleek defended resolutely to protect their lead.
On the restart Duleek continued to pose a threat, particularly from set pieces, and both Martin and Murphy had efforts which grazed the top of the crossbar.
Kingscourt responded by emptying their subs bench, and with just one goal between the teams they sensed the opportunity was there to snatch a point. However, in the latter stages Murphy and Jamie Flaherty at the heart of the home defence were immense and keeper Mark Kelly also performed well to ensure a clean sheet for the Meath club.
DULEEK: Mark Kelly, Craig Brodigan, Colm Woods, Jamie Flaherty, Bryan Murphy, Gareth Toal, Cormac McGroggan, James Guilfoyle (Jamie O’Leary), Carl Dyas (Robbie Daly), Barry Kavanagh, Daniel Martin. Subs not used: James Bell, Shane Murray, Caelan Duff.