Defending NEFL champions sunk as Duleek step up title bid
DULEEK are almost at the half-way point in the season and Sunday's win away to reigning Premier Division champions Carrick Rovers puts Bryan Murphy's side second in the table.
It's been a dream return to the top flight for the Tollstone outfit who have only been beaten twice, one of those coming against current league leaders Bellurgan.
Carrick have struggled to find the form that saw them lift the title last season and neither side started well on Sunday.
Chances for either side were at a premium in the first half, but the best fell to the visitors. A free kick from the right saw Tom Reilly whip in a delivery and Craig Moore rose highest, but his powerful header hit the crossbar and flew over.
Carrick couldn't break down a strong Duleek defence and the sides went into the half-time break level.
Murphy's team didn't start the second half too well and they were often second to the ball, but again Carrick couldn't capitalise.
The Duleek manager had made a double change at half-time, bringing on Jayden Clarke and Matthew Noone to inject some pace, and the deadlock was eventually broken on 51 minutes when Bobby Brady broke down the right wing and his cross was met by the head of Dylan O'Boyle who powered home his effort.
From there on, though, Duleek had to deal with an onslaught from the hosts. There were a few nervy moments as Duleek cleared more than a few scrambles, but they held on for a deserved win.
They welcome Albion Rovers to The Tollstone on Thursday and if Duleek win and Bellurgan fail to pick up three points then the Meath team would top the table.
Duleek: Jonathan Clear, Sean Kennedy, James Traynor, Ben Boyce, Craig Moore (Matthew Noone 46), Jamie McCarthy, Bobby Brady, Tom Reilly, Dylan O'Boyle (Calum Cooney 58), Cormac McGroggan (Jayden Clarke 46).
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If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. But Maguire continued: 'The only way to get the fans happy and optimistic is getting performances on the pitch and winning games. That's the only thing that's in our hands - we can't control anything off the pitch or the fans' frustration. We can only control it by winning games and good performances. 'Was it just under 2000 the other night? They weren't happy drawing the game. I think it's the whole season as a whole, and the position we find ourselves in. I'm a Liverpool fan, if I find Liverpool not winning games, I'm going to be frustrated as well.' Maguire continued: 'It can become a mental thing, mind over matter, when things aren't going your way, you can start to feel sorry for yourself. And especially with a young group. "There are not a lot of players in the group that have played a lot of games at a high level. 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