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Draperstown Celtic 4-2 U.U.C

For the second time in a month, U.U.C suffered a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Draperstown in a pulsating game at Cahore Park. This was a game full of energy and commitment and no shortage of skill from both sides which saw the lead change hands twice before Celtic pulled away to a deserved win thanks to a three goal blitz in the opening seven minutes of the second half. Reigning league champions UUC, still smarting from their league cup defeat at the hands of Celtic earlier in the season opened brightly and forced several corners in the opening ten minutes before Celtic opened the scoring after seventeen minutes, and a little against the run of play. John Higgins, who was back to his best in the game, played a great pass to Eamon Murray who scored from eight yards. This saw a prolonged period of home pressure which saw a Conleth Gilligan free deflected narrowly wide and a Murray volley from the edge of the box also deflected away.

Having been outplayed for long periods, U.U.C were able to turn this game right around in the last four minutes of the half. Firstly, Celtic let Jerome McAtee too much room to cross to Paddy Trolan who volleyed home from close range on forty one minutes. They then took the lead right on half time when a poorly defended corner saw Ciaran Doherty head past McConnell to put U.U.C 2-1 up at half time.

Whatever was said in the Draperstown changing room at half time certainly had the desired affect. Now playing with the wind, they forced UUC to defend deeply and forced a series of corners and from the third of these, on fifty two minutes, Conleth Gilligan’s scored directly from the kick past a bewildered McGeough. The goal was just reward for a tremendous overall performance from Gilligan whom U.U.C never got to grips with all game.

Five minutes later and Celtic re-gained the lead when John Higgins finished off a surging run and unleashed a superb shot into the top corner of McGeough’s goal from fully twenty five yards. It was all Celtic now and Gilligan saw his free kick deflected onto his own cross bar by McMullan and away to safety but the respite was to be short lived. A minute later, Higgins’ sublime pass opened up the U.U.C defence allowing Eamon Murray to steal in and clip the ball past the advancing McGough to put Draperstown 4-2 up and firmly in command. There was to be no come back from the university side this time.

They did enjoy a little more possession but Celtic’ three man defence of McKillion , McSorley and Quinn looked very comfortable in dealing with the pressure and Draperstown’s league campaign got off to the best possible start. An excellent all round performance from Draperstown for whom Gilligan and Higgins were outstanding. Andy Burns, making his debut, made a very solid contribution for the home side, who will be looking to carry this type of attacking form into the following weeks.

Next week, Draperstown are at home to Limavady United Reserves in the first round of the Intermediate Cup.

Portstewart 2-0 Draperstown Celtic

For the second week running, Draperstown bowed out of a cup competition, this time at First Division side Portstewart in the Craig Memorial Cup. Hampered by withdrawals due to injury and other commitments, Celtic also had to travel to Portstewart instead of the game being played at a neutral venue.

Despite these factors, the Intermediate side gave a good account of themselves, but were left to rue mistakes which accounted for both goals.

Peden came close for the home side after 3 minutes while Celtic’s Higgins had McGraw in the home nets scrambling to stop the ball curing under the cross bar from his left wing cross. Todd opened the scoring on 11 minutes when he capitalised on a defensive error to score past McConnell. Celtic reacted well and took the game to their opponents forcing them on the back foot for long periods of the half. Seamus Quinn was very unlucky to see his 35 yard effort canon off the bar with McGraw rooted to his line. Higgins also came close to grabbing a deserved equaliser when he shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box.

The second half opened with all the early pressure coming from Draperstown. McSorley brought a good save from McGraw on 47 minutes while two minutes later, he could only watch as Heron’s shot rebounded off the post and away to safety. Dean Flanagan spurned a great chance to equalise but he dragged the ball wide with only McGraw to beat. Portstewart appeared to be struggling at this stage but took control of the game on 55 minutes when slack marking from a throw allowed a header to squeeze in at the near post.

Draperstown pushed forward at every opportunity in an attempt to claw the game back but to no avail. They now turn their attention to the league campaign which begins next week with a home match against the current champions, UUC.

Newington YC 7-2 Draperstown Celtic

Draperstown’s run of five successive victories came to a crashing halt following this emphatic defeat at the hands of Amateur league side Newington Y.C. The victors were dominant in all areas. Bigger, stronger and fitter they outplayed a Draperstown side which knows they added to their own downfall with some slack defending which Newington were able to capitalise on almost at will.
Two goals in a minute from Cormac Brannigan during the first half gave Newington a solid foundation though Celtic pulled a goal back right on half time when Cathal Donnelly scored from 12 yards after good approach play from Bradley and Murray.
Any hopes which Celtic may have harboured of turning the game around in the second half were blasted away in the 47 minute when Brannigan completed his hat-trick.

Again, Draperstown were hit with two goals in a minute when firstly Taggart turned in Brannigan’s cross and then Carmichael lobbed keeper McConnell to make it 5-1 . Substitute Dan McAlea made it six on 70 minutes before Darren McKillion scored his first of the season, but no more than a consolation goal for Draperstown.
Newington completed the scoring when Carmichael slotted home on 92 minutes to send the home side deservedly into the second round.

For the young Draperstown side which has begun the season so well, this was a bitter lesson but one they will hopefully learn from and they have a great opportunity to do so in their next game which is a league cup semi final at home to Churchill Utd.

Next First Team Fixture

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