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DC 2-2 Sky Blues

NI Intermediate League

For the decent sized crowd which turned up at Cahore on a terrible day, they saw a full blooded game played by two fully committed teams. The Blues would have been the more disappointed team at not having collected all three points such was their dominance in the second half, but they will reflect on not creating enough clear goal scoring chances to win the game. For Draperstown too many players did not turn up in the second period, but had they been a little more decisive in their passing and touch, they could have taken advantage of two or three good opportunities which they were given.

The Blues opened well and Wilkinson had them a goal up after 5 minutes when he pounced on hesitancy in the Celtic defence to score past Farniouk, in for the suspended McConnell. But Celtic came back well and had the visitors on the back foot for large parts of the half. Seamus Bradley on the left was causing ex Draperstown player Chris Brady a few problems and it was from a Bradley free that Gavin Bradley was able to equalise at the near post past Oisin Kerr in the 20th minute.

Back came Magherafelt and Draperstown were lucky to survive a big penalty area scramble before clearing the danger. Celtic had appeals for a penalty turned down when there appeared to be more than a suspicion of hand ball, but this was soon forgotten when they took the lead on 40 minutes when John Higgins headed in at the near post from Haskins’ cross. There was still time for another Draperstown penalty claim for hand ball which this time appeared more obvious than the first but again the appeals were waved away.

Magherafelt came out a very determined side in the second half. With Higgins replaced at half time by O’Brien who was soon replaced himself due to injury, Celtic found themselves in some disarray and Magherafelt sought to take advantage. Farniouk saved well from a Wilkinson free while Seamus Bradley hit the foot of Kerr’s post before the same player’s deep cross was met by Gavin Bradley whose header just shaved the post and went wide. With Magherafelt storming forward at every opportunity an equaliser looked on the cards. It came on 75 minutes when Wilkinson’s free was well saved by Farniouk but Brady reacted the quickest to head in the equaliser. Both sides pushed for the winning goal with Seamus Bradley probably having the best chance but he hit his shot straight at Kerr.

So a draw and the points shared. Celtic still look for their first league win but will be more concerned over the injuries sustained by Higgins and O’Brien as they look forward to the league cup final on New Year’s eve.

DC 3–1 Dungiven Celtic

Pharmacy Supplies League Cup Semi Final

Draperstown stormed into the Intermediate League cup final with a powerful display against Dungiven at Cahore Park. Two stunning goals from Eamon Murray and a third from Gavin Bradley was enough to see off Dungiven and land a final place for Celtic against Oxford in the New Year’s Eve final. The only down side to the game was the sending off of John Paul McConnell which to say the least was harsh in the extreme, and puts his place in the final in doubt.

This was a deserved victory for Draperstown, their first in four games Despite not getting the results in recent weeks and with Higgins and Conway suspended and others not available, their approach to the game was positive from the kick off. Gavin Bradley and Ryan Sinclair both returned from long injury lay offs and both put in very creditable performances. Indeed it was Bradley who had the first opportunity in the 4^th minute when put in by Murray he forced a good save from Henry in the Dungiven nets. It was all Draperstown in this opening period and Haskins brought a very good save from Henry on 10 minutes. The opening goal arrived on 19 minutes and it was just reward for Celtic’s attacking game. Seamus Bradley’s great cross was met by Eamon Murray who powered in a header from 12 yards which gave Henry no chance. Six minutes later and it was two nil, when Henry dropped Haskins’ cross and Gavin Bradley was on hand to slot the ball home.

Such was Draperstown’s superiority that Dungiven’s first effort on goal came from O’Hara on the half hour mark, and that flew well over. Right on half time Darren McKillion headed just wide from Haskins’ corner, but Celtic ended the half where they started, well on top.

The second half saw little early difference. Seamus Bradley shot just wide on 46 minutes but the home fans were soon celebrating Celtic’s third. Kevin Murray’s long pass found brother Eamon who, having timed his run to perfection hit a sublime volley over Henry and into the net from 20 yards for the goal of the game. The same player almost made it four two minutes later when he just failed to make contact from Haskin’s header as Dungiven appeared to be in disarray. The last 20 minutes belonged to the visitors as they sought to get back into the game. McConnell saved very well from Darryl O’Kane but could do little to prevent Dungiven from scoring in the 75^th minute though there appeared to be a blatant foul on Caulfield before the ball was struck home.

With McKillion and Quinn dominant in the heart of the Celtic defence Dungiven were finding it difficult to create any real chances. McConnell’s sending off, in the 82nd minute, after some pushing and shoving in the Celtic penalty area was a controversial decision as Dungiven’s McKeever only received a yellow, his second of the game, for the same action. Quinn took over in goals for the remaining 10 minutes during which Draperstown defended strongly and were able to see the game out. So, a great result and a very good performance with McConnell’s dismissal leaving a bitter sweet taste in the mouth of the Celtic fans.

Dungiven U15’s 0-1 DC Youth

North West & Coleraine Youth League

Draperstown Youth led the way in Draperstown doing the double over Dungiven teams on Saturday. In a scrappy and hard fought affair a single goal was enough to give the points to Draperstown at Ballygudden. And with Draperstown beating Dungiven in the League Cup semi-final it was a good day for the South Derry team over their North Derry rivals.

Draperstown started the brighter and on 2 minutes a great ball from Hegarty gave a shooting opportunity to McDevitt but his strike was well saved by the Dungiven keeper. Draperstown continued to attack and when McKenna won the ball in midfield he broke through and shot narrowly wide. Draperstown did not have it all their own way and when a mistake from McCabe let the Dungiven centre forward through it was good pressure from O’Hara that forced the shot just wide. From the kick out Dungiven won the ball and attacked again causing the Draperstown defence to concede a free. The shot was tamely hit and easily gathered by Scullion. Dungiven were in control at this stage and when they broke through again it was good covering by M. McAuley that caused the forward to shoot just wide. In a rare Draperstown attack P. Flanagan cut in from the left wing and his right footed shot curled just wide. In the 22nd minute Dungiven beat the off side and centre forward Duddy was left 1 on 1 with the Draperstown keeper but Scullion made a good save with his feet to concede the corner.

This led to a flurry of goal mouth scrambles and several Dungiven corners including 1 cleared of the line by McAuley. It was now Draperstown’s turn to go on the attack and a lovely floated free from McGuigan was headed narrowly wide by O’Hara. The next attack Draperstown scored when a clever ball from Hegarty put through McKenna who made no mistake when he drilled the ball into the bottom corner. The second half began with Draperstown looking the brighter and good play from O’Hara set up P. Flanagan whose shot forced a corner.

A mix up in the Draperstown defence from a throw led to a Dungiven chance but English reacted well and cleared for a corner. From the corner Scullion missed the ball but O’Hara cleared the danger with a strong header. Defender then turned attacker when O’Hara broke out and his ball found McGuigan who set up P. Flanagan but his shot went harmlessly wide. A poor kick out from the Dungiven keeper fell to P. Flanagan and his first time shot was gathered by the keeper on the goal line. Dungiven were not finished and should have got an equaliser when, after good play on the left wing the centre forward had a free header but it went just wide. Draperstown finished the stronger and another excellent break from O’Hara found P. Flanagan whose tame shot was easily saved

Best on the day for Draperstown were Jack English, Mark McAuley and Stephen O’Hara

Draperstown Youth (4-4-2)
C. Scullion, J. English, C. McCabe (Capt.) S. O’Hara, M. McAuley, P.Flanagan C. McKenna,,O. Hegarty, C. McDevitt, T. Flanagan, R . McGuigan
Subs: D. Doyle, C. McAuley, A. Lagan, O. McGuigan
Goal: C. McKenna

Next Fixture
Sat 02nd Jan 2010: NIBFA Cup – Away to Crewe United Colts

Training
Players will be notified of training over the holiday period by Teamer.net message service. All players must attend training.

Thank You
A big thank you to all the youth players who made a great effort in the selling of tickets for the recent draw. It was very much appreciated by all at the club.

Website
Keep up to date with everything to do with Draperstown Celtic at www.dc-fc.net

Happy Christmas
We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our players, supporters and their families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for your efforts and support in 2009 and we hope it will continue in 2010.

Fivemiletown 3-2 DC

WKD Intermediate Cup Round 2

A 91st minute goal from Ivor Johnston saw Fivemiletown progress to the third round of the Intermediate cup and left Draperstown once again disappointed that their efforts were left unrewarded. On a soft pitch with a distinctive slope, Celtic created enough chances to have won the game with a degree of comfort but having failed to do so, could have no complaints with the final score.

Draperstown opened brightly playing up the slope and carved out a good chance on 5 minutes for Kennedy who shot tamely wide. The same player had an even better opportunity on 20 minutes when a clever flick from Eamon Murray left him one on one with the keeper who did enough to force the midfielder to the side and the chance was gone. The home side then came into the game really for the first time with McConnell having to save from Clarke and Elliott in quick succession before Elliott squandered a good opening when he shot wide. The final action of the half again saw Draperstown on the attack and only a last gasp block denied Murray opening the scoring for Draperstown.

The second half opened as the first closed with Celtic in the ascendancy. Haskins’ good cross was headed wide by Murray on 51 minutes before a foul by Johnston on the same player on the edge of the box brought about the opening goal. Dynes in the home nets fumbled the free and allowed Seamus Bradley to scramble the ball home from close range on 55 minutes. It was almost two for Celtic 4 minutes later when Murray headed on McConnell’s clearance, the ball falling to Bradley who brushed the bar with a good shot.

The Fivemiletown equaliser on the hour mark had a certain amount of controversy surrounding it. With centre half McKillion down with an obvious head injury the home side played on and McKiernan’s cross was headed home by Elliott. There were no Celtic complaints five minutes later when McKiernan scored from close range latching on to Gillespie’s pass. However the home celebrations were still ringing out when Bradley’s cross was met by Murray who left Dynes with no chance. Celtic now had a good ten minutes and the same combination should have put them into the lead, but Murray screwed the ball agonisingly past the left post with the keeper well beaten.
With 5 minutes left it was Bradley holding his head as his delightful chip was just tipped over the bar by Dynes who looked to be beaten. But it was the home side who scored the all important winner when centre back Johnston headed home a left wing cross and there just wasn’t enough time for Draperstown to rescue the game.

DC Grand Draw – Winners

Winners off the annual Draperstown Celtic Grand Draw have been announced, with the following:

1st. Weekend in Roganstown Hotel and Country Club : Lyn Kelly

2nd. £100 : Brendan Kidd (jnr)

3rd. £50 : Tiernan McKenna

4th £25 O’Kane’s Chemist voucher : Denise Falls

Thanks to all who bought a ticket. The club greatly appreciates your support.

Lower Shankill OB 3-5 DC Reserves

Irish Junior Cup R3

It may have been Paddy Mallon who scored the winning penalty which sent Draperstown through to Round 4 of the Irish Junior cup, but it was the heroics of keeper Martin Farniouk which was the foundation for the result. There were times when it seemed that he was single handily keeping the home side out such was his prowess and Lower Shankill will feel that apart from his performance their name would have been in the hat for the 4th round draw. But football is all about taking chances when they arrive and Draperstown did that in the tenth minute when a long ball found McGuigan who stroked the ball past the keeper to give his side the lead against the run of play.

Twice before that, Farniuok had denied Lower Shankill when they looked certain to score, but they did find an equaliser on 17 minutes when Mallon failed to clear and the forward broke into the box and scored in off the post. The remainder of the half saw the home side put a lot of pressure on the Draperstown team but with Mallon and McDaid standing strong in the heart of the defence, the sides were level at the half time whistle. The second half saw Lower Shankill push forward looking for the lead goal and had a great opportunity when Mallon was harshly adjudged to have handled and a penalty was awarded. However, Farniouk produced a wonderful save to his left to keep his side in the game.

Draperstown themselves were more of an attacking force in the second half with the pace of Flanagan and McGuigan together with the guile of Manning causing the home defence a few problems. Kennedy’s forceful ventures caused Lower Shankill to concede territory and frees but Draperstown didn’t really put the home keeper under enough sustained pressure. Paul McGovern did produce a good shot on the turn which the keeper managed to palm away while McGuigan almost got his second when he latched onto Groogan’s excellent pass, beat the keeper with a low shot but a home defender managed to clear with the referee indicating the whole of the ball had not crossed the line.

With game heading into extra time Draperstown had loud claims for a penalty turned away when McGuigan was crudely taken down in the box for what seemed an obvious penalty, but with the referee waving on play this was the last opportunity to win the game in normal time. Extra time saw two tiring teams do their best to grab the all important second goal but with Franiouk looking unbeatable the game went to penalties. Here, the keeper’s heroics continued as he saved the first two Lower Shankill penalties to put Draperstown firmly in the driving seat. Successful penalties from McGuigan, Bradley, McCullagh and Mallon saw the reserves home by 4 – 2 and a place secured in the next round.

Next First Team Fixture