Draperstown Celtic 2-2 Tobermore Utd (AET) DC won 4-3 on penalties. DC march into the 2nd Round of the Belfast Telegraph intermediate Cup with a penalty shoot out win over neighbours Tobermore Utd.
Draperstown Celtic caused the biggest upset in the first round of the Intermediate Cup, disposing of Irish League Division One side and near neighbours Tobermore United in a thrilling game played at Cahore road on Saturday. An upset yes, but one which was fully justified as Celtic took the game to their more senior counterparts at every opportunity, and were able to match their opponents in all aspects of the game. Two goals from Eamon Murray, the second of which was out of the top drawer were the foundation for the win, but the visitors will no doubt look back at what they considered to be a legitimate claim for a penalty turned down by the referee who compounded their frustration by sending off one of their players for his protests as a major turning point. However when give the chance to win the game from the penalty spot, after extra time had failed to separate the sides, they were unable to do, and as a result the home side progressed to the second round.
Celtic took the game to Tobermore from the kick off with Declan Graffin having a couple of attempts without troubling Kyle Hassan but the keeper was left floundering when Murray latched onto a long clearance from Kevin Leonard to hook the ball home and give Draperstown the lead on 20 minutes. Tobermore responded well and should have equalised 10 minutes later but a poorly directed header went straight into the hands of a relieved Leonard.
With Draperstown more than holding their own in terms of both the football and physical aspects of the game their grip on the game was strengthened in dramatic fashion when right on half time Eamon Murray scored with a wonderful curved shot from 25 yards to open up a two goal lead.
As expected, Tobermore upped their game as the second half began and were rewarded when they pulled a goal back on the hour mark. Celtic had to defend well at this stage and were relieved to see the referee wave away strong shouts for a penalty which eventually lead to the dismissal of one of the Tobermore players for protesting too much. With time running out Tobermore’s perseverance brought them back into the game when in the last minute they managed to scramble an equaliser and bring the game into extra time.
This period was quite evenly matched though Leonard did well to clear from Sam Shields who was bearing down on goal and thus see the game end at 2-2. The penalty kick competition has not been kind to Draperstown in recent years but they got off to a great start when Leonard saved Tobermore’s first kick. The keeper then turned goal scorer to put Celtic into the lead. Both teams scored from their next efforts but Draperstown were in a winning position when Tobermore hit the bar with their fourth attempt but Murray’s’ match winning attempt was saved by Hassan. Tobermore scored their third penalty from their last penalty but it was left to Declan Graffin to seal the victory for Draperstown and send them into the second round.
Team:
Kevin Leonard, John Higgins, Declan Graffan, Stephen McKee, Seamus Bradley, Raymond Caulfield, Conor McDevitt, Sean McBride, Eamon Murray, Kevin Ward, Chris McGarrigle.
Subs: Stephen Caulfield, Cathal Donnelly, Gary Conway
