Draperstown Celtic Mini Soccer Scheme
April 28, 2008
Mini Soccer – Draperstown Celtic Mini Soccer Scheme will relocate to the Cahore Playing Fields from Sat 03rd May at 11.15am for P3 – P7 children. Cost £1.50
Please bring appropriate clothing and footwear
For further details contact Paul on 07841344253.
Draperstown Celtic 3-3 Dungiven
April 28, 2008
There was an air of celebration around Cahore Park on Saturday as Draperstown played their last game of what has been a very successful season. With the league title having been wrapped up on the previous Tuesday in the victory over Magherafelt, gone were the nerves and tension which had built up in recent weeks.
This was an event to be enjoyed, so much so that the game almost got in the way. With Celtic captain Darren McKillion receiving the Intermediate league trophy from League chairman Tom Starke, it marked the end of a long hard season and the beginning of celebrations which were to continue long into the evening.
The game itself was very entertaining with lots of goal mouth action, some very good football played and plenty of smiles on the faces of the good home support.
Early had saved well from both McNicholl and Burns before Daryl Kane put Dungiven ahead on 24 minutes, somewhat against the run of play. Davin McSorley equalised with a stunning strike from 30 yards before Eamon Burns put Celtic ahead on 36 minutes rounding off a good move involving Mark Murchan and Raymond Caulfield. Dungiven equalised with a fine goal from a free kick on the stroke of half time and took the lead on 55 minutes when Kane again scored his second.
This saw a great deal of pressure from the home side which was determined not to lose on such an occasion. Some poor finishing together with high quality goalkeeping from Early kept Celtic at bay before Mark McNicholl gained deserved equaliser. Draperstown had chances to get the win especially from Caulfield and Young but two superb saves ensured parity on the day.
The final whistle brought the curtain down on a roller coaster of a journey for all at Draperstown Celtic which had begun at the end of last August in a feeling of hope but ended on a sunny afternoon in April in a feeling of great satisfaction. It was just reward for the effort put in by all those who represented the team throughout the year and especially for manager John McKee and his assistant Austin McKillion.
Speaking afterwards McKee was at pains to point out that winning the league was not the end of a journey but would hopefully mark the beginning of another successful period in the history of Draperstown Celtic Football club.
DC crowned league champions
April 23, 2008
A hard fought 2-1 victory at home to local rivals Magherafelt Sky Blues confirms DC as NI Intermediate League champions with a game to spare.
Tuesday April 22nd 2008 will live long in the history of Draperstown Celtic Football Club as it was then that they clinched their first ever Northern Ireland Intermediate League championship.
This, their third victory over near neighbours and league contenders, Magherafelt Sky Blues, resulted in Celtic wrapping up the title with a game to go. It was a glory night for all concerned but non more so than for John Higgins, who got Draperstown off to the most perfect start with a goal after only 30 seconds and also for Eamon Burns, whose goal sealed the win on the night and ultimately the title. James Bateson’s header on the hour was not enough to rescue the Blues as Draperstown defended manfully and claimed the three points and the title which they richly deserved.
The big Draperstown support which had gathered in anticipation of was rewarded early as Higgins got Draperstown off to the type of start they could not have dreamed of. Picking the ball up just inside the Magherafelt half, Higgins looked up, and seeing Mark McGeehan off his line, hit a wonderful lob from all of 40 yards and into the net to put Celtic one up. Magherafelt, needing the win to keep their title hopes alive were stunned by this but began to get back into the game but without creating any real goal scoring opportunities, and the Celtic defence, wonderfully marshalled by Quinn and McKillion were able to negate any forages forward by Larkin and Bateson. Magherafelt’s passing was off target and too often were unable to find their front men. Draperstown threatened more and top scorer Eamon Murray almost added to his tally on 23 minutes when his first time shot from Seamus Bradley’s cross was tipped over by McGeehan who reacted well to keep his team in the game even at this early stage.
There was panic in the home defence on 34 minutes when from a Bateson free, Shane McGuckin punched clearance was mistimed but Quinn was on hand to divert the danger before Magherafelt could strike. With both teams battling hard to claim midfield supremacy, importantly for Celtic, Higgins and Conway were able
to provide a solid platform in the middle allowing Bradley and Young to push forward at every opportunity. To prove the point, it was Young’s pass to Murray whose reverse pass was met by Higgins but his shot curled a yard past McGeehan’s post. A second goal looked likely at this stage for Draperstown and it came on 41 minutes. Davin McSorley’s pass found Bradley on the left and his run on the by-line and pass found the in-rushing Burns who slotted the ball away with consumate ease past McGeehan.
It was a healthy lead at half time but with Magherafelt playing with the breeze in the second half, Draperstown knew they would have to do a great deal of defending if they were to emerge with the all important victory. The Blues certainly had the lion’s share of possession in the half and almost scored on 53 
minutes when from a corner Chris Larkin’s header was cleared off the line by Raymond Caulfield and three minutes later Bateson’s free was headed over by Nickman. Celtic were finding it hard to create any semblance of an opening so it was no surprise when Magherafelt scored on 65 minutes when Bateson headed home from a free kick. But to Draperstown’s credit they didn’t panic at this stage and indeed created chances to extend their lead.
Bradley’s fired in a great ball across the six yard line but couldn’t find the vital finishing touch while on 77 minutes Eamon Burns’ shot spun the wrong side of the post.
As the Celtic bench and support urged the final whistle to come, Magherafelt forced several free kicks but with McKillion and Quinn resolute to the end the visitors were unable to create a clear goal scoring opportunity. Indeed the last chance of the game fell to Celtic’s Eamon Murray on 88 minutes when following a corner his turn and shot went wide. The three minutes of extra time saw a great deal of anxiety among the Celtic management team and supporters but the final whistle brought scenes of high emotions as a league campaign, which began in September, ended some eight months later with the league championship safely in the hands of Draperstown Celtic and heralded the beginning of a long night’s celebrations.
Afterwards, manager John McKee paid tribute to all the players who, throughout the season had made the league win possible.
Gallery of Sky Blues game & post match celebrations
Draperstown Celtic 7-2 Trojans
April 21, 2008
Draperstown Celtic surged to the top of the Intermediate League following a comprehensive victory over Trojans at the Templemore stadium on Saturday and as a result are within touching distance of their first ever league title at this level.
Last week Trojans had travelled to Draperstown and were well beaten but Celtic knew they could take nothing for granted against a side which is usually able to field a stronger team on their own patch. This seemed to be the case on Saturday when the home side fielded 6 changes to their team which included Draperstown old boys Conor McDevitt and Chris McGarrigle. But despite going a goal down very early in the game, it was the great character and determination shown by the Draperstown team and in particular Gary Conway who had an outstanding game, which proved to be the key ingredients in this vital game.
Indeed the changes began to work straight away when Trojans took the lead on 3 minutes due to a wonderful individual effort from Rory McGilloway. This certainly shook the Celtic side but their response was quick as it was emphatic and by the 23rd minute they had stormed into a 3-1 lead. Firstly on ten minutes, it was Eamon Murray who latched on to Seamus Bradley’s forward pass and as the home defence claimed offside, it left Murray able to round keeper Moore and stroke the ball home. Three minutes later and Draperstown took the lead. Following a foul on Bradley, it was the same player who was able to latch onto Quinn’s free to flick the ball past the stranded Moore. It was all Draperstown now and they almost increased their lead on 15 minutes when Sean Young’s header from another Quinn free drifted narrowly wide. The third goal came when Young latched onto Murray’s pass and his run into the box was ended when fouled by Gallagher. Eamon Burns sent Moore the wrong way from the resultant spot kick.
Celtic continued to dominate the half and had further chances to put the game beyond Trojan’s grasp. Moore saved well from Young and Murray and Young’s header from Bradley’s cross just went over the cross bar. Despite their overall inability to dictate play in the half, Trojans were thrown a lifeline in the 47 minute of the half when Caulfield was adjudged to have handled in the box. McGarrigle scored to leave a somewhat unrealistic scoreline based on the balance of play.
Torjans began the second half in determined mood and for 15 minutes looked likely to score the next all important goal. McGilloway almost poached an equaliser on 48 minutes while there was further panic on 52 minutes before Celtic managed to scramble the ball away. But having survived this bright spell by the home side Draperstown began to exert their pressure and became the dominant side once more. Donnelly replaced Higgins and the nippy winger injected a great deal of pace into the Celtic attacking play. On the hour mark it was Donnelly’s free which was met at the far post by Quinn but this header was just wide and five minutes later it was Bradley’s turn to hold hid heads in his hands when his hook shot went wide after great approach play from Burns. The all important fourth Celtic goal came in bizarre fashion.
A long ball found Murray again beating the offside trap but his attempt to round Moore saw the ball deflect to the in rushing Kieran Toland who volleyed the ball home from 12 yards for a dramatic own goal. This virtually sealed Trojan’s fate and the final twenty minutes was all one way traffic. Mark McNicholl replaced Eamon Murray and the substitute had his name on the score sheet when he raced half the length of the pitch to score confidently past Moore on 75 minutes. Trojan’s Joe McCallion was sent off for dissent while McNicholl grabbed his second on 86 minutes when at the second attempt he fired home Sean Young’s pass.
The substitute almost grabbed his hat trick but his deflected shot fell to Cathal Donnelly to round off the scoring in the last minute.
A very competent performance from Draperstown who with two games left in this year’s campaign know that the title is within their grasp.
Draperstown Celtic 4-0 Trojans
April 14, 2008
Draperstown cruised to an emphatic win over Derry side, Trojans at Cahore Park on Saturday, and in doing so ensured that they kept their title aspirations very much alive.
Trojans came with a changed side from their recent mauling by Dungiven but produced little in the way of a goal threat to a confident Draperstown side. Celtic were also forced into changes with keeper McGuckin ill, Graffin sidelined with broken ribs and McNicholl unavailable, it meant recalls for Farniok in goals and a start for Gary Conway after some time out of the side.
Draperstown settled quickly into the game and were rewarded with a goal on ten minutes when Conway’s excellent pass was headed home by Eamon Burns giving Moore no chance in the Trojan’s goal. Farniok saved well from Walsh’s header after he had stolen in at the far post following McCallion’s free. However it was Draperstown who should have doubled their lead on 19 minutes when Moore pulled off a great save to deny Burns a second goal when his well hit volley looked certain to hit the back of the net. From the resulting corner McSorley’s snap shot went the wrong side of the post as Celtic looked to turn their possession into a clear lead. Certainly Eamon Burns had another great chance on 28 minutes to score his and Celtic’s second when, after good work by Young and Bradley, the striker had two opportunities to slot the ball home but delayed and the chance was gone.
The deserved second goal came in the dying stages of the half when Walsh handled in the box and despite a good effort from Moore, Burns scored from the resultant kick, the first penalty Draperstown had been awarded this season.
The second half opened in the same vein as the first had ended with Draperstown pressing forward for further goals. Indeed another good shout for a penalty on 48 minutes was turned down when Sean Young’s cross appeared to be handled before being cleared by the overworked Trojan defence. Moore again came to his side’s rescue on 51 minutes when he saved well from Eamon Murray’s header set up by Seamus Bradley’s excellent cross.
Trojan attacks were few and far between with Quinn and McKillion again commanding in the heart of the Celtic defence but the visitors should have pulled a goal back on 55 minutes when Toland shot wide when well placed and Caulfield blocked Canning’s effort five minutes later. Draperstown made sure of the victory on 67 minutes when Burns rose highest to head on Quinn’s free and substitute Dean Flanagan was alert to the opportunity to flick the ball past Moore for a well taken goal. Further chances fell to Murray and Emmet McKillion for Draperstown to increase their tally before Murray headed home in the 88th minute following Bradley’s cross to ensure a comfortable win for the home side and in doing so maintain their title challenge.
Midnight Street Soccer
April 8, 2008
Midnight Street Soccer comes to Draperstown, starting Friday 18 April 9-11pm at Back Row Recreation Centre for six weeks.
To Register Pick up an application pack or contact Niall Curneen on 07802327541
Players must be between 14-17
Cost £1 per person per night
[Gallery not found]Next First Team Fixture
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Draperstown Celtic v Broadway Celtic
Under 15 Presentation Evening
The under 15 Presentation evening has been arranged for this Saturday evening 19th June 20.Re: Technical Issues
issues resolved..Technical Issues
Currently having a few technical problems with the website, hopefully be resolved ASAP.Quick League Table
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