Coogan's Colts prove best in close encounter
Derek Coogan's young Parkvilla side showed maturity beyond their years to secure a 1-0 victory over Duleek in the NEFL Premier at Claremont Stadium today with Jamie Blake getting the only goal of the game.
With a number of players from the team that reached the FAI u-17 final last year Parkvilla have put their faith in youth.
It is a faith that was certainly justified tonight as Parkvilla emerged with their second league win of the season so far with Blake's decisive strike arriving just after the break when he finished off a brilliant move that also included Ben Gray and Eoghan Heavey.
Parkvilla moved the ball around with crisp and neat passes and they created a number of good opportunities during the course of the night - as did Brian Murphy's Duleek side.
Heavey had a great chance early on for 'Villa while the closest Duleek came to finding the net was just before the break when player/manager Murphy had an effort rebound off the bar.
Daniel Martin also had a chance from a diving header with the ball flashing just wide in the second-half.
With a strong defence and a hard-working midfield Parkvilla were able to hold onto the ball and their slender lead to record the win.
Duleek's more experienced side pushed hard for an equaliser but they were unable to make the breakthrough with Sean Kennedy flashing a header just wide shortly before the end.
"Our play was really good tonight, we had upteen opportunities to score more than one goal. When we keep clean sheets we've been working really hard on achieveing we win games as we did tonight we win games," said Coogan.
Parkvilla - Euen Niven; Sean Lally-Starrs, Ethan Rathborne, Finn Murray, Danny Doggett, Chris Kennedy, Kian Ratty, Ben Gray, Sean Kane, Eoghan Heavey, Jamie Blake. Sub - Dylan Kavanagh for Kennedy 85 mins.
Duleek - Alan Sweeney; Jamie McCormack, Ryan Jones, James Murphy, Robbie Daly, Sean Kennedy, Garath Toal, Karl Dyas, Daniel Martin, Luke Jenkins, Craig Brannigan. Subs - Brian Murphy for Brannigan 29 mins, Barry Kavanagh for Murphy 84m.
Referee - Brian Murphy (Louth Branch).
* See photographs from match as well as report and quotes in next issue of the Meath Chronicle