‘Mor heartache as Duleek contribute to ‘own’ downfall
M’hevnamor Duleek 2 0
DULEEK remain pointless after two Premier Division games but can take some consolation from a much-improved performance in this difficult away assignment last Friday night.
Pete Brennan’s charges were looking to bounce back after an opening-day home defeat by Ardee Celtic, and they set up in a fairly defensive formation with a five-man midfield and just one striker, hoping to frustrate what was a strong-looking Muirhevnamor side.
That tactic seemed to work in the early stages as Duleek held their own, but when they lost possession cheaply in midfield in the 35th minute Muirhevnamor worked the ball quickly up to former Drogheda United player Martin Smith who drilled in the lead goal.
That lapse apart, the Meath outfit’s game plan was working as they limited their hosts to few opportunities, while playing good one-touch football themselves and creating a couple of half-chances.
However, the key moment in the match came just after the interval when Duleek almost hauled themselves level, only to concede at the other end of the pitch moments later.
A good move from Duleek ended with James Burke reaching the byeline and cutting the ball back towards Sean Kennedy who sent his shot rising over the bar from just seven yards out.
So when Muirhevnamor quickly counter-attacked and a Brian Begley cross from the right was turned into his own net at full stretch by the otherwise excellent Jamie Flaherty, it felt like Duleek had just been hit by a double whammy.
The away side were fortunate not to concede again when a strike by former Everton youths defender Ben McLaughlin was ruled out for offside, but in the remaining 40 minutes they kept plugging away, helping to grab a goal and create a bit of nervous tension in the Muirhevnamor defence.
However, despite making two substitutions entering the last quarter, Duleek were restricted to long-range shooting and the odd half-chance as their hosts completed a comfortable-looking victory which suggests they could be contenders for the title this season.
DULEEK: Bryan Smith, Chris McDonnell, Eric Brown (Jamie O’Leary), Jamie Flaherty, Gary Nugent, Bryan Murphy, Sean Kennedy, James Burke, Cormac McGroggan, Barry Kavanagh (Dylan Kearney), Matthew Noone.
Results
TUESDAY AUG 14th Over 35 Cup:
Over 35 Cup: O’Neills Sports Div 1:
THURSDAY AUG 16th Div 2:
FRIDAY AUG 17th
Tully Bookmakers Challenge Cup 1st rd:
Prem Div: O’Neills Sports Div 1: Div 3: Div 4:
SATURDAY AUGUST 18th Prem Res: A Res: B Res: SUNDAY AUGUST 19th Prem Div:
O’Neills Sports Div 1: Div 2: Div 3: Div 4:
Fixtures
TUESDAY AUG 21st, 7.0 A Res:
WEDNESDAY AUG 22nd, 7.0 Over 35 Cup:
Over 35 Group A: Prem Reserve: THURSDAY AUG 23rd, 8.0 Prem Div:
Div 2: Prem Reserve: FRIDAY AUG 24th, 7.45
Tully Bookmakers Challenge Cup 1st rd: O’Neills Sports Div 1: SATURDAY AUGUST 25th, 3.0 Tully Bookmakers Challenge Cup 1st rd:
Reserve Cup first round: Prem Res: