Hoops just too strong for Duleek
Shamrock Rov 3 Duleek 1
DULEEK Under-14s’ fantastic run in the SFAI National Cup came to an end at the hands of a very talented Shamrock Rovers team at Roadstone Sports Club in Kingswood on Sunday morning.
The Meath club expected a tough game and so were not surprised when Shamrock Rovers started very strongly, threatening several times down Duleek’s right side.
That pressure paid off after five minutes when a fantastic pull-back following a run down that flank was slotted powerfully past goalkeeper Mathew Kealy.
However, Duleek came up with the perfect riposte five minutes later when Dylan O’Boyle controlled a ball just inside the Rovers half, beat three players and then calmly passed the ball into the Rovers net for the equaliser.
Rovers were very comfortable on the ball and played wonderful football at times. but with their never-give-up attitude and some lovely inter-plays Duleek probably shaded the first half.
It was a different story in the second period, though, as Joe Colmey and Evan Haddock were kept busy at the back and Kealy pulled off a string of fantastic saves.
Duleek were finding it hard to get out of their half and up to their front two of Altay Guneyer and Sean O’Halloran, with the wind - now blowing strongly against them - proving a real disadvantage.
They looked tired from the courageous and effective rearguard action and a second goal for Rovers always looked to be on the cards, but it took until eight minutes from time to break down the visitors’ resolute defence. A shot was parried excellently by Kealy, but the rebound was rifled into the Duleek goal.
The Meath boys had no option now but to take chances and push higher up the pitch, but with two minutes left a loose ball was picked up by a Rovers player who found a teammate and his shot went in off the post to secure victory against a spirited Duleek side.
Duleek still have their defence of the North Leinster title to look forward to, having qualified for the final.
DULEEK: Mathew Kealy, Joe Colmey, Evan Haddock, Callum Paisley, Liam Osborne, Tadhg Dixon, Cian Towey, Dylan O’Boyle, Adam Craven, James McGarvey, Mathew Brien, Keith Tighe, Altay Guneyer, Sean O’Halloran, Karl Miland.