Walshestown survive scare to take the points
DEAN Mcgrane's fine strike in the second half proved crucial as Walshestown Wolves staved off a Duleek fightback in this hardfought Under-11 Premier clash last Saturday.
Visitors Duleek, playing with a strong breeze in the first half, started the brighter and Matthew Leech in the Walshestown goal had to be at his best to keep out a vicious shot from their midfielder, before Dylan Tiernan made a great block in on the number 7 after he had made a terrific run from half-way.
Slowly the home team got into the game and Brian Reilly went close with a dipping effort which the Duleek keeper did well to push over the bar.
The first goal was an exceptional team effort which began when Leech rolled the ball out to Aaron Mcdonnell at left-back. He played a crossfield ball to Rian Aikpitanyi, who beat one player before passing to Sean Kerrisk, and he turned the defender and laid a perfect ball into the path of Ben Callanan who struck his shot first time into the net.
Duleek fought back and following good inter-passing between their winger and centre forward the latter's shot was pushed out for a corner by Leech.
James Mcmorrow and Conor Shevlin then combined well for the home team, but again good defending by the Meath outfit denied Shevlin just as he was about to shoot.
Duleek finished the half the stronger as they won a succession of corners but were unable to convert any as the home defence held firm.
Now playing with the breeze, Walshestown started the second period brightly and after good work by James Meegan down the left his shot was well saved by the Duleek keeper.
Tiernan swung over the resulting corner and Mcgrane met the ball on the volley to fire home his team's second goal.
This spurred the visitors into life and Leech had to be quick off his line to keep out their centre forward, but Duleek were not to be denied and a flowing move ended with the centre-forward lobbing the ball over the advancing Walshestown keeper for 2-1.
However, in the closing stages it was the home side who looked the more likely to score, with Callanan and Mcmorrow going closest to putting Walshestown out of sight. WALSHESTOWN: M Leech, J Mcmorrow, D Tiernan, A Mcdonnell, C Shevlin, D Mcgrane, B Reilly, S Kerrisk, B Callanan, J Meegan, R Aikpitanyi.
