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Draperstown Celtic 4-2 U.U.C

October 30, 2007

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.

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Written by Michael Kelly · Filed Under First Team, News