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Night at the Races

DC will be holding the annual ‘Night at the Races’ on Saturday 4 April in The Market Inn, Draperstown. First race is scheduled to start at 9:00pm, followed by music. The committee would like all members to please attend if possible.

Strabane 0–1 Draperstown Celtic

A solitary goal from John Andrews in the 67th minute was enough to send Draperstown into the second round of this year’s Challenge Cup. It was a poor game by anyone’s standards. Passes going astray, possession being lost and a very bumpy surface were the ingredients in a game where the result was everything. Draperstown’s cause was not helped with withdrawal from the team of six players who had other commitments but those that came in certainly played their part in the victory.

Dean Flanagan could have put Celtic into a first minute lead, but pulled his shot wide while Andrews fired his free over five minutes later. Strabane’s first effort was a header from John Rollaston in the 10th minute which was easily saved by Celtic’s Farniouk while Strabane’s keeper Harley reacted smartly to tip over Andrew’s header.

The home side almost took the lead on 28 minutes when Brennan’s well hit free produced a great save from Farniouk who tipped the ball onto the post before being cleared to safety. Flannagan had two good efforts for Draperstown as the first half drew to a close with Celtic looking the most likely to open the scoring.

The second half was similar to the first in that Celtic had the majority of the play but were frustratingly lacking in quality. However it was Strabane who carved out the best chances in the opening minutes and both fell to Rollaston and both were thwarted by Farniouk. McLean headed wide from Higgins’ corner on the hour mark when well placed but it was from his free seven minutes later which was headed on by Crossett and powerfully headed home by Andrews.

Strabane brought on McCrossan and Patton in an attempt to get back into the tie but it was Draperstown who finished more strongly and they were able to see out the game without too much difficulty and move into the second round.

Flanagan was always lively for Draperstown while Farniouk brought off several good saves but it was John Andrews who was the dominant figure in the match and his goal was just reward for a fine performance.

Roe Valley 0-3 Draperstown Celtic

Draperstown completed a league double over Roe Valley on Saturday without having to hit top gear in the process. A double from Benny Heron and a first of the season from John Higgins was enough to see off Valley who, though they worked hard enough lacked creativity throughout and more importantly, displayed a poor team spirit. Celtic, as in recent weeks could easily have doubled their score with far too many opportunities going to waste and against sterner opposition these missed chances could cost dear.

Celtic began with leading scorer Murray out injured along with Sean McBride and Raymond Caulfield also unavailable but with Gary Conway restored to the left side. However, it did not appear to disrupt Celtic’s attacking game as Gavin Bradley set the tone as early as the second minute when only a great tackle from Moore prevented Draperstown taking the lead while ten minutes later Cahir Mullan pulled off the first of many good saves to keep Valley in the game. Mc Groarity shot over for the home side in a rare attack before McLean should have done a lot better when he missed the target after being set up by Higgins.

There was a moment of panic in the Draperstown defence when some hesitancy allowed Gavin Moore in but Farniouk saved bravely at the winger’s feet. Celtic’s opening goal came after a sustained five minute period of pressure which Valley were ultimately unable to cope with. Gary Conway, returning to the first team after a number of weeks, found Gavin Bradley who slipped a neat pass to Heron who slide the ball under the advancing Mullan to give Draperstown a deserved lead in the 39th minutes. Two minutes later Mullan pulled off a flying save to stop a deflected Heron shot before Celtic managed to miss a further good opportunity when a poor final pass allowed guy to clear.

The second half again saw Draperstown dominant and again failing to make the most of their opportunities. Bradley found Sean Young but his cross was poor and easily cleared while McLean headed a Young corner wide when a goal looked likely. Only a goal behind at this stage and Valley could have gained confidence from the fact that the game was not beyond them but Heron put a more realistic score on the game when he latched onto Seamus Quinn’s clever free, turned Brady and scored with a low drive past Mullan on the hour. Three minutes later and Brady cleared off the line from McLean before a rushed clearance from Mullan again gave McLean a great chance but the pulled his shot wide.

Higgins was denied what seemed a clear penalty when pulled down by Walker and Valley showed they were not totally finished when Guy lobbed Farniouk only for Darren McKillion to clear with a vital header. The game was wrapped up in the 80th minute when Heron’s shot was parried to John Higgins who slotted home and there was no way back for Roe Valley. There was still time for another very good penalty claim when Bradley was taken down but again referrer Tucker waved play on and Farniouk kept a clean sheet when saving well from Cooke right at the death.

In the end, a comfortable victory for Draperstown but not one of their best performances. Conway, on his return, put in a good performance while Heron, Higgins and Andrews always looked creative in midfield and the defence, while not having a great deal to do appeared quite solid and kept another clean sheet. However there will be tougher challenges ahead.

Mini-Soccer Scheme

The Draperstown Celtic Mini Soccer scheme will commence on Saturday 21st March at the Back Row Sports Hall. The scheme is open to ALL boys and girls from P3 -P7.

The times are:
11.00AM – 12 Noon for P3 & P4 children.
12 Noon – 1.00 PM for P5 – P7 children.

Cost £2.00 per child.

For further details contact Paul on 07841344253.

Draperstown Celtic 5-0 Roe Valley

Draperstown cruised to another emphatic victory, this time against lowly Roe Valley. It was more like the Celtic side of last season, as they produced some very good passages of play, created a host of goal scoring opportunities and could have easily have scored more than they did. True, the opposition was limited, but in veterans Michael Guy and Eddie McGroarity they still have players fully committed to the cause when it appeared others were less so enthusiastic.

In the opening minutes Celtic were creating chances. A bad bobble deprived Eamon Murray in the second minute while Lee West hit horribly wide when set up by McGroarity, in a rare forage forward by Valley. Celtic’s opener came in the 12th minute when McLean was on hand at the back post to slot home from close range from Gavin Bradley’s header. Four minutes later the lead was doubled when Sean Young’s excellent tackle and pass found Murray who evaded Moore’s tackle and scored past Cahir Mullan with ease.

The remainder of the half saw Draperstown play some of their best football of the season so far as they opened up the Roe Valley defence on a number of occasions but failed to deliver the killer blow. Gavin Bradley was narrowly wide after an excellent move involving McLean and Murray while only a last gasp tackle from Brolly prevented Young from scoring. Mclean fired wildly over the bar from close range before Mullan pulled off a great save from Bradley’s excellent header. Half time saw Draperstown totally in command but needing a third to put the visitors out the game totally.

Valley attempted to get back into the game at the beginning of the second half but the first chance came on 48 minutes after a defence splitting pass from John Higgins saw both Bradley and Murray get in each others way and the chance was gone. Sean Young had another good shot saved before Valley showed they were not totally out of the game when Farniouk saved well from Gary Brady. Eamon Murray should have scored on 52 minutes when put clear he curled his shot wide with Mullan well beaten.

Just as it looked as if Celtic would fail to score again it was leading scorer Murray who finished off a good passing move involving Bradley and McLean to finally grab his second and Draperstown’s third on the hour.

Valley’s heads dropped and it was Draperstown who still poured forward. Substitute Dean Flanagan blasted his shot against the bar in the 73rd minute but made amends two minutes later when he picked up Murray’s pass, turned Moore and scored with a fine left foot shot from the edge of the box. Moore cleared off the line from Murray on 81 minutes and John Andrews, who had a very good game for Draperstown, hit over two minutes later. Flanagan got his second and Celtic’s fifth when he reacted quickest to Declan Graffin’s wickedly hit free on 88 minutes and only a great save from Mullan prevented his hat trick when his header appeared to be heading into the top corner.

Another good performance from Celtic who looked much more assured at the back while the influence of Higgins was there for all to see. John Andrews was very solid while Sean Young was always looking to get forward at every opportunity and in Murray and Bradley, Celtic have two players who are hungry for goals.

Next First Team Fixture

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