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.
