Spot of bother as Duleek hit by late sucker punch in Meath derby
Premier Division
GAMES between Duleek and Trim Celtic of late have been tight, but the Tollstone side have yet to beat the NEFL giants and that trend continued on Thursday night last when a 90th minute penalty for Robbie Horgan's team denied the hosts what would have been a deserved point.
Duleek came into the game in flying form, while Trim have yet to hit the heights this season.
Bryan Murphy's side nearly opened the scoring inside the first five minutes. Nippy winger Jayden Clarke was played through and in a one-on-one situation, from a tight angle, his shot squirmed wide of the far post.
There wasn't to be another clear-cut chance for the remainder of the half. Trim were very physical and imposing themselves on the game, but all their opportunities came from long range and Jonathan Clear's handling was excellent as he gave the visitors no chance to profit from a spilled ball.
Chances were also at a premium in the second half. Duleek won a succession of corner kicks but could not make them count.
They looked like they might open the scoring late on when Dylan O'Boyle broke through a gap in the Trim defence. However, his first touch caused the ball to bobble and it just got away from him with only the keeper to beat.
Then, in the final minute, Trim won a free kick and a diagonal delivery into the box saw the Duleek defence raise their hands for offside and in the ensuing scramble the ball struck a hand and the referee pointed to the spot.
It was a real sucker punch when Brian Faulkner slotted the resulting penalty past Jonathan Clear in the Duleek goal and the visitors saw the game out to inflict just a second defeat of the season on Duleek.
Murphy's team have three games remaining in the first half of the campaign. They have yet to play Carrick Rovers, Kentstown Rovers and Albion Rovers, all three of which are winnable, and at least six points from those games will leave them in an excellent position heading into the second half of the season.
Duleek: Jonathan Clear, Sean Kennedy, James Traynor (Morgan Browne 46), Ben Boyce, Craig Moore, Jamie McCarthy, Bobby Brady, Matthew Noone (Tom Reilly 61), Dylan O'Boyle, Josh O'Reilly, Jayden Clarke (Cormac McGroggan 61).
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