Report courtesy of The Argus -- Picture by Ken Finegan
Rock Celtic 3
Carrick Rovers 1
ROCK CELTIC saved one of their best performances of the season 'til last as they comfortably retained their crown, eschewing all the drama, tension and excitement that marked their first title win last season.
In doing so the champions became the first team since Bellurgan - who ironically hosted Sunday's play-off - to win back-to-back titles.
The big crowd that turned up in anticipation of a repeat of last season's finale to the Meath and District League campaign had to be content to bask in the glorious sunshine at the immaculately presented Bellurgan ground, as Rock clearly learned from the experience of being involved in showdowns for the title for the previous two years to record a straight forward victory.
They possessed also that extra craft and talent, with a side laced with players who have played at senior level, that enabled them to quite easily quell a threatened fightback by Carrick fuelled by a converted spot kick from Wayne Kerley just short of the hour mark.
Among their number was striker David Ward who was Rock's hat-trick hero, scoring twice in a seven minute spell in the opening 20 minutes when the champions could easily have doubled their advantage, and wrapped up victory with a third from the spot ten minutes from time.
The final nail was driven into Carrick's coffin two minutes later when Gerard McKeown was shown a red card for violent conduct in an off-the-ball incident.
The combined know-how of Ward and his striking partner Paddy Quinn - back to near the top condition took him across channel and abroad at a younger stage of his career - along with the vast experience of David Hoey - FAI Cup winner with Dundalk in 2002 - deadened the tempo right down so that at no stage did Carrick build up any real momentum.
This was also largely due to critically important saves by goalkeeper Danny Woods at vital stages.
It should be noted that Rock were forced to field without two key men virtually since Christmas as Derek Delany, the side's ace marksman, and main playmaker, Gerry Breen, absent due to injury.
With Damian English and John Sharkey also out for long periods Jamie Lally made an emergency return to the squad and he played a big part in the joyous outcome, strong in defence, and won the penalty that put the result beyond doubt. Indeed he could have capped a fine performance by scoring in the closing seconds, when Ward could also have added a fourth goal.
Captain David McGeough put in a commanding display along with his combative partner Chris Ward, although the latter erred with a clumsy challenge that gave Carrick the spot kick and a possible lifeline.
Tony Walsh whose return to the side's midfield for the final run-in was both timely with injuries and instrumental, was an important cog, especially with Paul Gore having to retire injured at the interval.
Rock's first goal was long overdue, as in the first 20 minutes Chris Ward, Tony Walsh, David Ward (twice), Quinn and Kilboy all went close to opening the scoring.
However, the goal finally came when Carrick allowed Kilboy a free-shot from a corner and Ward turned in the rebound. Barry Woods, former Dundalk youths player, who was Carrick's most dangerous player, was denied by a brilliant full length save by his namesake Danny as he turned his shot at the foot of the post away for a corner.
The importance of the save was underlined when Ward from the narrowest of angles on the endline applied a finish to match a brilliant move with Walsh side-stepping an opponent close to halfway to feed Quinn, who bent a gorgeous pass down the inside left channel between a number of defenders for Ward to get in behind the defence.
Chris Ward was one of three players booked, receiving a yellow card on the stroke of half-time, and was followed by Carrick's Wayne Kerley five minutes into the second-half and Brian Marron later.
Carrick for their sake and the game needed to score to bring it alive, but Woods pulled off another great save when he palmed away Woods' deflected shot from outside the 18 yard line, while Brendan Kerley, unmarked no more than eight yards out, failed to connect with the goal at his mercy.
Then when they were presented with a way back from the spot, Rock clinically re-took control the game, and apart from one scare when Woods' free kick went across their goal and flew inches wide of the far post, they eased to a commanding victory.
Rock: Danny Woods, David Hoey, Chris Ward, David McGeough, Jamie Lally, Paul Gore (Chris Connolly 45), Seamus McCabe, Tony Walsh, Brian Kilboye, Paddy Quinn, David Ward. Other subs: Des McKeown, Damien English, Gavin Mulholland, Garry Lennon.
Carrick: Clint Marron, Padraig Gollogley (Peter Maxwell 60), Martin McDermott, Niall Bobbington, Ger Connolly, Gary McEneaney (Brian Marron 55), Wayne Kerley, Barry Woods, Eamon Lynch (Gavin McMahon 89), Brendan Kerley, Gerard McKeown.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin. |
