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Draperstown Celtic 4-1 Strabane

Draperstown continued their recent good form overcoming a determined Strabane side mainly due to an excellent second half performance which saw two goals from Sean McBride and a further goal from Eamon Murray ease the home side to victory.

The opening exchanges would not have for-seen such a final scoreline as Strabane started very well and were dominant early on especially through Gerald Donaghy and Martin Doherty. However, very much against the run of play it was the home side which scored first. McLaughlin in the Strabane goals made a hash of collecting Cathal Donnelly’s shot and John Higgins stole in for his seventh goal of the season after 8 minutes. Kevin Leonard did well to keep Celtic in the lead with a smart piece of work to deny Donaghy but could do little to prevent centre forward Doherty from scoring from 8 yards after 14 minutes. This certainly encouraged the visitors and they were denied what seemed a certain penalty when Gavin Graham fell under Leonard’s challenge but the referee awarded a goal kick to Draperstown. A goal from Starbane at this juncture may have resulted in a totally different outlook to the game. Starbane continued to pile on the pressure on the home defence. Donaghy twice came close to putting the visitors into the lead in the 25^th and 38^th minute, being denied firstly by Leonard and secondly by Stephen Caulfiled’s clearance off the line. The half time whistle came with Strabane on top, Celtic in a little disarray but happy to be drawing at this stage.

The second half was a different story altogether. Celtic became the dominant side and as in the first half, were rewarded with an early goal. A fine pass from Conway found Eamon Murray on the edge of the box who cut inside O’Neill and fired home from 12 yards. Richard Graham shot just over the Celtic bar as Strabane attempted to get back on level terms but Murray had a great chance to score his second and Celtic’s third when Donnelly’s free kick fell kindly to him but his close range shot was saved well by McLaughlin. However the home support did not have long to wait for the third goal when substitute Sean McBride latched onto Cathal Donnelly’s fine pass and hit a first time shot past McLaughlin to put Celtic 3-1 up after the hour mark. Strabane’s earlier good form was now deserting them and they became somewhat ragged in their play.

Celtic were now dominant in all areas and a fourth goal came when McBride beat the offside trap and coolly finished past McLaughlin to round off a wonderful cameo substitute appearance. Kevin Leonard so often the goal stopper for Celtic this season almost got into the act when after intercepting a pass to Doherty, the keeper went on a mazy 50 yard run, past three players which was only ended when brought down by Richard Graham who was sent off for a second yellow card offence. Leonard took the resultant free kick himself and sent the ball narrowly wide.

A good victory for Draperstown over a Strabane side which will be disappointed to have fallen away badly in the second half after starting the game so promisingly.

Next First Team Fixture

McGrogan Memorial Cup | Monday 27 July 2010
V
Draperstown Celtic v Broadway Celtic