Rock Celtic 3

Duleek 0

ROCK Celtic started off the defence of their Premier Division crown with a workmanlike 3-0 win over Duleek at Sandy Lane last Friday night. The seasiders eventually put a bit of gloss on the performance with two late goals, but found it hard to break down their well organised visitors.

In the end an early Gerry Breen volley proved crucial as the strike meant Rock didn't have commit too many men forward in search of an equaliser over the ensuing 80 minutes.

While it was a superb finish by Breen, great credit also goes to David Fairclough, who stole a yard on Bryan Murphy and delivered a superb delivery into the box.

The former League of Ireland star continued to pepper the home box with great deliveries and it was his cross that led to Rock's second goal with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Once again the finish was sublime as David Ward took the ball down on his chest and performed a bicycle kick to the far corner.

Substitute Chris Connolly added a third in the closing stages after a deft back flick by Ward.

ROCK CELTIC: Danny Woods, John Sharkey (Seamus McCabe), Christy Ward, David Hoey, John Neary, David Fairclough, Paul Gore, Tony Walsh, Gerry Breen, David Ward, Derek Delany (Chris Connolly).