Draperstown Celtic Win McGrogan Cup
August 6, 2007
The Damian McGrogan Memorial Tournament, hosted by Draperstown Celtic was won by the home side after an excellent victory over Lurgan Celtic. A Dean Flanagan strike after 5 minutes was enough to secure the victory for Draperstown, the first time they have been able to capture this particular piece of silverware since its inauguration ten years ago.
While still a pre – season game, both sides should be congratulated for serving up a fully committed game in which there was no shortage of skill and excitement for the large crowd who attended. Draperstown perhaps could and should have added to this solitary goal as Murray, Flanagan and Higgins all came close to scoring while the home defence held firm when Lurgan did up the pressure especially in the second half. However one goal was enough to give Draperstown a deserved win and a great deal of confidence for the new season ahead.
The competition has always proved to be a good work-out for the teams involved and rightly has become an important part of the competing teams’ pre-season build up. In the quarter finals, there were wins for Dungiven over Moyola Park while Lurgan defeated last year’s winners Magherafelt sky Blues in a tight game by 2-1.
Cookstown Olympic grabbed the headlines with an emphatic 4-1 score-line over Tobermore Utd. Draperstown progressed after Limavady Utd pulled out of their tie citing their inability to field a team, which was unfortunate for the competition as the Roe Siders were last year’s runners-up.
The two semi-finals were both excellent matches. Lurgan came out on top after a titanic struggle with Dungiven. Having stormed into an early 2 goal lead, Lurgan found themselves 3-2 down with ten minutes to go but managed to rescue the tie with two goals in the last seven minutes. Draperstown’s game with Cookstown was equally close. The home side saw leads of 3-1 and then 4-2 disappear as Olympic came back to equalise at 4 – 4 in the 89th minute to seemingly force the game to penalties. However Eamon Murray’s 91st minute winner, his third of the game was enough to earn Celtic a place in the final. Celtic’s other scorers in the semi final were John Higgins and Andy Burns.
The committee of Draperstown Celtic would like to thank all the clubs who took part in this year’s McGrogan Cup and wish them well in the season ahead. Thanks also to the various officials who made sure the games ran smoothly and without whom such a competition could not take place. Finally thanks also to the home supporters who turned out in good numbers to support Draperstown in both the semi-final and final. Your support was very much appreciated by all involved with the club.
Next First Team Fixture
V 
Tobermore Utd v Draperstown Celtic
Skills Development Centre
Folks this Saturday 04th September is the last day of the Football Development Centre for.Under 14 Registration
LadsAs we are now entering the Mid Ulster Youth League we have had to re - register you.The New Season
The sun shone, the pitch was in great condition and the team put in a very good performanc.Quick League Table
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