Sheelan goal sinks Duleek

BELLURGAN UNITED DULEEK 1 0

DULEEK continue to flirt dangerously with relegation after this latest defeat as Bellurgan chalked up their third win in a row since new manager Colm McConville took over at the helm at Flynn Park.

The Peninsula side had suffered six defeats in seven matches when McConville was appointed and coincidentally the last of those reverses was against Sunday’s opponents at the Tollstone immediately prior to him assuming command in early December.

This result was a sweet piece of revenge but was more important in terms of their position in mid-table and providing them with a six-point cushion over Duleek. They have two more games played than them and also more games played than the rest of the teams underneath them, with the exception of Kingscourt who prop up the table.

Ciaran Sheelan, who has recovered his scoring touch, nabbed the goal that separated the sides, but the home side had to wait until 12 minutes from the end for it to arrive after dominating possession. This was his fifth in the winners’ current run, including a hat-trick in the cup against second division Rathkenny, so he has been a vital component in the Peninsula outfit’s improved form.

The first half was fairly symptomatic of sides returning to action after the Christmas break, with the play of poor quality, with Bellurgan shading the scoring opportunities.

Daniel O’Connor was denied by a very good save by the Duleek keeper after 10 minutes, and the latter proved the main stumbling block to Bellurgan securing the points.

A defender, however, came to his and his team’s rescue shortly after when he cleared off the visitors’ goal-line when another shot by O’Connor beat the goalkeeper.

At the other end Robert Arthur had to be sharp off his line to thwart ace poacher Barry Kavanagh.

Bellurgan completely dominated the second period but looked like being frustrated by the Duleek goalkeeper, who foiled O’Connor again with a terrific save at the foot of his post when the attacker shot from the edge of the box after Brian White and Owen Armstrong combined to make the opening.

He then tipped Ciaran Sheelan’s shot from roughly the same distance onto his crossbar, with White this time working the opening with Paddy Keenan.

Stephen Finnegan also suffered disappointment at the hands of the goalkeeper when he saved his shot from roughly the penalty spot, before Sheelan finally made the breakthrough.

Owen Armstrong won the ball in midfield and played it to Ray Finnegan breaking out of defence.

The latter beat a number of players before releasing the ball to Brian White who whipped in a great cross for Sheelan to meet with his head and score from six yards. Reilly Cup First Round: Premier Res: A Res: B Res: