Classy Duleek’s hat-trick double

A GOAL after only 10 seconds from Barry Kavanagh set Duleek on their way to a big win over joint Premier Division leaders Boyne Harps on Sunday afternoon - a result which sees them through to the Kilmessan Shield quarter-finals.

The former Republic of Ireland amateur international intercepted a wayward pass almost straight from Harps’ kick-off and hit an early shot from 30 yards which nestled in the bottom corner of the net.

A shell-shocked Harps conceded again on the quarter-hour mark when Colin Woods’ free kick was parried by their young keeper, but only into the path of Cormac McGroggan who lashed home the rebound.

The trio of McGroggan, Kavanagh and Woods were proving a real handful, while the likes of Shane Crosby were bossing in the possession stakes

DULEEK BOYNE HARPS 6 1

as James Guilfoyle offered protection in front of a solid defence.

So it was no surprise when Duleek added further to their advantage just before half-time, as Kavanagh and James Bell started the move that ended with Woods crossing for McGroggan to make it 3-0.

Kavanagh grabbed his second goal of the game shortly after the restart when he turned the Harps centre-half on the edge of the box and rifled a great finish past the keeper.

Harps pulled a goal back when Austin McCann played the ball up to their striker and he teed the ball up for Stephen Carter to beat Keith Martin with a very good strike.

However, Duleek weren’t to be denied and they put further gloss on the scoreline in the latter stages.

First, substitute Daniel Martin flicked the ball into the path of McGroggan who went one-on-one with the Harps keeper and slotted home for his hattrick.

Then it was Kavanagh’s turn to grab his third goal as he profited from good approach play by Martin and Robbie Daly to complete the rout.

DULEEK: Keith Martin, Robbie Daly, Jamie Flaherty, Bryan Murphy, James Bell (Daniel Martin), Cormac McGroggan (Craig Brodigan), Shane Crosby, Gareth Toal (Caelan Duff), Colin Woods, James Guilfoyle (Matthew Noone), Barry Kavanagh.

BOYNE HARPS: Ryan Brown, Christy McDonnell (Eoin Murdock), Chris Culligan, Luke McDonnell, Niall Levins, Nathan Llewellyn, Mickey Matthews, Austin McCann, Dean Fitzpatrick (Barry Reynolds), Carl Dowling, Stephen Carter. Sub not used: Colin Rafferty.