NWCDYL Semi Final
Draperstown Youth reached the final of the NWCDYL Cup with a narrow 2-1 win over local rivals Dungiven at a blustery Cahore Park on Saturday morning. It was a scrappy game that had everything – goals, good goalkeeping, penalties, a sending off and extra time.
Both teams were nervous at the start but it was Draperstown who had the first chance at goal on 3 mins. The ball was won by Tiernan Flanagan and his pass found his brother Piaras who shot wide from a tight angle. This was to be Draperstowns’ only shot at goal for a further 20 mins as Dungiven dominated the half. Straight from the kick-out the ball found its way to Duddy whose well hit shot was superbly tipped away by Scullion. However from the resulting corner Draperstown were still getting organised when Moore nipped in ahead of a static Draperstown defence to give Dungiven a 1-0 lead. Dungiven continued to dominate the game –putting in more tackles, closing down players and hassling the Draperstown team at every opportunity. It was the 25th minute before Draperstown had their only other decent chance when a kick out from Scullion found McGuigan who passed to Convery and his shot was just wide. That brought the first half to an end.
Draperstown started much brighter in the 2nd half and on 6 mins, after a good spell of pressure a 25 yard shot from O’Hara looped over the keeper to make it 1-1. For the rest of the half both teams struggled in the breeze and many mistakes were made on both sides. That was the story of the 2nd half until the final minute on the game when the Draperstown right back was adjudged to have fouled the Dungiven winger while making a clearance and the referee awarded a penalty. The Dungiven forward smashed the ball home. However the drama had not finished as the referee made the penalty be retaken as it was hit before the whistle was blown. This time Scullion saved low to his left to send the game into extra time – 10mins each half.
The first half of extra time went much the same way as the second half of the game until5 mins into the half Draperstown scored when the Flanagan brothers combined well and the elder Flanagan slid the ball home at the back post. That was probably the only clear cut chance of the half. The second half began and Draperstown tried to get a decisive third but again Dungiven battled well and made life difficult for the hosts. With about 3 mins left in the game Dungiven had an appeal for a penalty turned down when the ball struck a Draperstown defender. The ball did strike the arm of the defender but it would have been a very harsh decision as the player knew little about it and the referee got the decision right. The Dungiven protests led to a second yellow card for 1 of their team and he had to leave the field. Dungiven tried to battle back but Draperstown hung on determinedly for the win and their first cup final.
Team: C. Scullion, M. McAuley, J. English C. McCabe (Capt.), S. O’Hara, C. McKenna, O. Hegarty , P. Flanagan, T. Flanagan, C.Convery, R. McGuigan
Subs: C. McAuley (for C. McCabe) C. McDevitt, D. Doyle, Z. Elalilou, S. McBride
Scorers: O’Hara, P. Flanagan
Man of Match: Chris Scullion
Next Fixture – League
Donemana U14 vs. Draperstown at Donemana. Kick off 11am.
Milk Cup Trails
The first of the open trials for the Milk Cup squad has been announced for Wednesday 31st March 2010 with a 6.00pm kick off. All Draperstown players who registered for trials in Magherafelt should be at Meadowbank for registration at 5.30pm SHARP!
Mini Soccer
The Draperstown Celtic Football Skills Development Centre is to re-open on 10 April 2010. If you are interested in helping out at the Centre or have any queries please contact Paul McCallion, the club’s Development Centre Co-ordinator on 07841344253. Further details will be on our website and in the local papers closer to the time.
Draperstown Youth Teams
It is hoped that Draperstown Celtic will have 2 youth teams next season, competing in the following age groups:
Under 16 – Born on or after 01/01/1995
Under 14 – Born on or after 01/01/1997
The new youth season will begin in September 2010 with squad training beginning around May 2010. If you are interested in playing for Draperstown Celtic at the above age groups more information can be obtained by contacting the Youth Development Officer, Paul McCallion on 07841344253.
