All entries/enquiries to any committee member.

This annual pre-season tournament is now a firm fixture on the local football calendar, and with a very competitive spirit shown over the years by all participating teams it has proven to be a great preparation source for all clubs as they commence their new season.

This years tournament will kick-off on Monday 25th July between Dungiven Celtic and in their first visit to the tournament, Dungannon Tigers. Tuesday 26th sees host club Draperstown Celtic up against a progressive Moyola Park outfit. Wednesday see’s Intermediate League’s Magherafelt Sky Blues take on on IFA Championship 1 Tobermore Utd in what should be a hotly contested tie. Thursday 28th July see’s Roe Rovers take on Draperstown Celtic Reserves.

The Semi-Finals wil be played the following Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd August, with the Final scheduled on Friday 6th August 2011.

All games will kick-off at 7pm and if level after 90 minutes the game will be decided by a penalty shoot-out.

Monday 25th July: Game A – Dungiven Celtic 0-7 Dungannon Tigers

Tuesday 26th July: Game B – Draperstown Celtic 7-1 Moyola Park

Wednesday 27th July: Game C – Magherafelt Sky Blues 3-1 Tobermore Utd

Thursday 28th July: Game D – Roe Rovers 4-0 Draperstown Celtic Res.

Monday 1st August: SEMI-FINAL (1) Dungannon Tigers 4-3 Draperstown Celtic

Tuesday 2nd August: SEMI-FINAL (2) Magherafelt Sky Blues 0-1 Roe Rovers

Friday 6th August: Dungannon Tigers 2-1 Roe Rovers

Kick off 7pm Sharp at Cahore Playing Fields.

45minutes each way to be decided on a penalty shoot-out in the event of a draw.
All games played under IFA rules.

A very successful night was had by all with…. A big thank to all invloved in organising the event.

Award Winners Season 2010/11

Photograph’s from the night (courtesy of Colm Heron)

We intend to hold a similar draw again and the details are as follows.

2 directors’ box tickets Celtic v Hamilton (March 5th) (Strict dress code applies)
Complimentory bar pre and post match.
Buffet lunch at half time.
Signed shirt presented by player after game.
2 nights B&B in Glasgow Crowne Plaza
2 return flights

Tickets £5
Draw to be made at Draperstown Celtic Christmas Quiz on Dec 28th in the Market Inn.

A wonderful day for football at Spires on Saturday saw a keenly contested local derby which saw end to end football with the result in doubt right up to the final whistle. While both teams had the opportunities to snatch the win it will be Draperstown who will feel that they left two points behind in this game, especially as they had come back from form Monaghan’s early goal to power into the lead thanks to two quick goals from Gavin Bradley.

They will also look at the opening 20 minutes of the second half where they dominated possession, created and spurned three good chances to sow the game up. Yet such was the nature of the game, the Blues always had the ability to get an equaliser and did so when Hawe stole in at the back post to force home Mallon’s cross. Indeed had it not been for Farniok’s quite wonderful finger tip save, Magheraflet could have stolen the points themselves.

Draperstown, under Marty McGuigan and Chris Larkin have had a stuttering start to the season in terms of results which has not matched some of the football they have played. Saturday’s game was a good example of this. They played some very good football, created several good chances and yet did not get the result that their overall play just about deserved.

After 10 minutes some defensive frailty allowed Diarmiud Larkin the space to slip in Ciaran Monaghan whose early shot beat Farniouk at the near post. However Celtic came back strongly and deservedly drew level when a cross field ball from Kevin Murray was kept in by Dean Flanagan who crossed for Gavin Bradley to head powerfully home at the back post. Five minutes later it was the same combination when Flanagan again did very well to hook the ball back from the by line for Bradley again to score with a fine header.

Magherafelt did have an opportunity to draw level as the half came to a close when a header at the back post flew across the goal mouth and just past the far post.
The second half saw Celtic go all out for the decisive their goal.

Murray soon fed in Bradley but his shot came back off the cross bar with the keeper beaten and the ball was cleared to safety. Minutes later, Murray was presented with a golden opportunity when he latched onto a poor back pass but his shot was parried away by O’Neill when a goal looked likely. Murray also had a good opportunity with a header which just went the wrong side of the post and these missed opportunities were to cost Draperstown.

Magherafelt began to get more possession and play a more positive game. Chances however were very few as the Celtic defence appeared to be coping well. When Farniok was called upon he did so superbly with a brilliant finger tip save at full stretch to keep the home side out. However he was beaten on 75 minutes when Hawe swept home Mallon’s cross and the momentum was now with the home side but they were unable to create another goal opportunity. It was Draperstown who carved out the best chance to win the game when Bradley dragged his shot wide with five minutes to go.

So a well contested game with honours even and both sides claiming that they could have won the game. Draperstown may have had the stronger case.

Under 16 – Born on or after 01/01/1995
Under 14 – Born on or after 01/01/1997

Training for the U16 squad takes place every Wednesday night at Cahore Park from 6.30pm – 8.00pm. Cost £1.00 per session which goes to the running of the team for the season.

Training for the U14 squad takes place every Thursday at Cahore Park from 6.30pm – 8.00pm. Cost £1.00 per session which goes to the running of the team for the season.

If you are interested in playing for Draperstown at the above age groups or for any queries about youth football at DCFC, more information can be obtained by contacting the Youth Officer, Paul McCallion on 07841344253.

Results
Draperstown Celtic U14 (3) vs. Armagh City (0)

Celtic 14’s travelled to Gordon Fields in Lurgan to play this “home” tie against last years league champions Armagh City and deservedly took all 3 points. The young Celts started with a high tempo and they pressured the Armagh defence straight from the kick off. In only the second minute a great run and cross from Flanagan was met by the onrushing Glass and his superb header rattled the crossbar with the keeper well beaten. Draperstown were dominant in midfield with Scullion pulling the strings and setting up attack after attack. After a rare Armagh attack Murphy won the ball and found Lagan and his superb run up the right flank ended in a shot that went narrowly wide. Up front Flanagan and Glass were giving the Armagh defence no time on the ball, forcing them into long clearances just to see the ball come back to them in another Draperstown attack. Armagh did put a bit of pressure on the Draperstown defence just before half time with a series of corners but Gallagher and his defence dealt with them comfortably. Half time score 0-0.

The second half began the way of the first with Draperstown in control and in the 10th minute the hard work paid off when Flanagan beat his man out on the right and hit a great shot over the keeper in to the far corner. Armagh did try to respond but the defence of Grant, McGeehan, McCloskey and Murphy held them off comfortably. Armagh pressure resulted in a corner which Gallagher collected well, he spotted Glass 1 on 1 with his maker and his excellent kick landed at Glass’s feet and the strikers excellent turn and shot gave the keeper no chance. Armagh did try to respond and a shot from the centre forward was superbly blocked by a McCloskey sliding tackle. That proved to be the last Armagh threat on the Draperstown goal. Draperstown could have had a couple more goals and Doole came closest with a ferocious volley that went just over. The third goal arrived when, following good play down the left involving McGuigan, the ball was rolled across the edge of the box and Doole hit a fabulous shot to score his first Celtic goal.

Team: C. Gallagher (Capt), P. Grant, M. McGeehan, R. McCloskey , R. Murphy, O. McGuigan, M. Doole, C. Scullion, P. Lagan, T. Flanagan, C. Glass
Subs: A. McBride, C. Baker, E. Gilmore
Goals: Flanagan, Glass, Doole
Man of the Match: All the Celtic players!

Draperstown Celtic U16 (0) vs. Limavady U17 (8)

Fixtures 09 October
U16 – Limavady U17. Kick off 11.00am @ Spires Park M’felt
U14 – Craigavon City. Kick off 10.30am @ Dungannon White City

Membership
The 2010/2011 membership for both squads is now due. Players must pay their membership before they are eligible to play.

Thanks
Thanks to our youth team sponsors – Brian McKenna Photography, McGirr Architects and SMC Builders Ltd. Please support our sponsors
Thanks also to the parents and supporters who made the long journey to Lurgan.

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

Under 16 – Born on or after 01/01/1995
Under 14 – Born on or after 01/01/1997

Training for the U16 squad takes place every Wednesday night at Cahore Park from 6.30pm – 8.00pm. Cost £1.00 per session which goes to the running of the team for the season.
Training for the U14 squad takes place every Thursday at Cahore Park from 6.30pm – 8.00pm. Cost £1.00 per session which goes to the running of the team for the season.

If you are interested in playing for Draperstown at the above age groups or for any queries about youth football at DCFC, more information can be obtained by contacting the Youth Officer, Paul McCallion on 07841344253.

Results

Midway Utd (4) VS Draperstown Celtic U14 (4).

The second game of Draperstown Celtics campaign resulted in a high scoring game against Newry team Midway Utd at Dungannon Park. Although missing a couple of players it was Celtic who started the brighter and they pressured the Midway defence straight from the kick off. A good move down the left saw debutant Conor Glass surge into the box before he was impeded by a Midway defender – to his credit Glass did not go down but he was unable to find a powerful enough shot to beat the keeper. Celtic continued to press but the opening goal went to Midway on their first attack went they were awarded a very dubious penalty. While attempting to clear, the ball hit McGeehan on the arm and to the amazement of the Celtic fans and players the ref pointed to the spot. Draperstown keeper James McCrory guessed the correct way but was unable to keep it out. Within 3 minutes Draperstown were awarded a penalty of their own when Glass, who was causing the Midway defence serious problems, was bundled over. Odhran McGuigan stepped up and made it 1-1. However Draperstown had not learned from their naivety against Moyola and within 5 minutes were once again behind. Again Draperstown rallied and fought back to level the scores when Glass hit a great shot in off the post. Unbelievably Celtic again let Midway score when McCrory should have done better at his near post after a shot from the Midway winger. Half time score 3-2. In the second half Draperstown started the half the way they started the game and the midfield of McGuigan, Doole, Scullion and Lagan began to dominate. Celtic persistence paid off when McGuigan struck from the edge of the box to equalize at 3-3. At this stage Celtic winger Lagan went man to man with his opposite number and this prevented the Midway winger from having as much off the ball and cutting out the major threat from the home team. In their only attack of the second half Midway won a corner and from this corner they scrambled the ball home when perhaps the Celtic keeper should have gathered. However Draperstown would not lie down and they pushed hard for the equaliser, Doole went close a couple of times and the Midway keeper made an excellent save from a Glass header. Celtic also had a penalty shout turned down after a blatant hand ball by the Midway centre-half. With only minutes left and looking like they were going to lose Tiernan Flanagan picked the ball up wide on the right, stepped round his marker and smashed an unstoppable 20 yard shot into the top corner to make it 4-4.
Great spirit and determination shown by Celtic to come from behind four times but they will need to be more ruthless and disciplined against Armagh next weekend.
Team: J. McCrory, M. McKenna, P. Grant, M. McGeehan, C. Gallagher, O. McGuigan, M. Doole, C. Scullion, P. Lagan, T. Flanagan, C. Glass
Subs: A. McBride, C. Baker, P. Lagan
Goals: Glass, McGuigan (2), Flanagan

Institute (2) VS Draperstown Celtic U16 (1)

Another tight fixture between the 2 best teams from last year. Celtic were unlucky to lose when Institute scored with the last kick of the game to take all three points. A great performance from Celtic who had to make a few last minute changes due to injury and illness
Team: R. McGuigan, M.McAuley, C. McCabe, J. Young, C. McAuley, C. Mulholland, C. McKenna, O. Hegarty, C.McDevitt, P. Flanagan, D. Tallon
Goal: McDevitt

Fixtures 02 October
U16 – Limavady U17. Kick off 11.00am. Venue TBC
U14 – Armagh City. Kick off 10.30am @ Cahore Park

Membership
The 2010/2011 membership for both squads is now due. Players must pay their membership before they are eligible to play.

Thanks
A big Thank You to Sean McCallion of SMC Builders Ltd for the sponsorship of the new U16 team strip. It is much appreciated.
Also thank you to the sponsors of the U14 team – Brian McKenna of Brian McKenna Photography for the kits and Conor McGirr of McGirr Architects for the track tops.
Please support our sponsors. Thanks also to the parents who provided transport to the U14 players on Sat. morning and to the supporters who made the journey to Dungannon

This opening group stage match at Cahore Park saw a much changed Celtic play a very entertaining draw against a strong Kesh side. Pre season results had not gone well for the home side and the by now usual situation of the non availabillity of many players may have suggested that this game was going to be difficult to say the least. However, after a sluggish, nervy start where Kesh took a deserved lead, Draperstown came back well and by the end of the game a point was the least their efforts deserved.

The new management team of Marty McGuigan and Chris Larkin certainly had the team as well prepared as possible but with some new faces and others playing in different positions than normal, it was perhaps understandable that Celtic were slow to start and found themselves a goal down after 15 minutes. But to their credit they did not lose their belief and began to play some attractive football on the excellent surface. With Higgins and Haskins coming to grips with their central mid field duties they had Kesh on the backfoot and scored a deserved equaliser when Larkin pounced on a loose ball and fired into the roof of the net for a memorable goal for the player making his first Celtic start. Kesh continued to look dangerous, especially from corners and set pieces especially with their height advantage but half time saw an evenly balanced match.

Keshy did begin the second half in the ascendancy and re-took the lead with an excellent header. Again Celtic responded in a positive manner with Joe Crossett much to the fore and looking lively on the right hand side. The equaliser, which came with 10 minutes left, saw Crossett send in a wonderful cross which was powerfully headed home by Kevin Murray. The goal was fully deserved both for the player and the side and the final minutes saw Draperstown search for the winner but Kesh held firm and were able to see the game out and a share of the points.

All in all a very good performance from Draperstown which will give them a lot of confidence for the games ahead. They played some good football and showed a great deal of determination and while there still remains a great deal of work to do both in terms of adding to the squad and player fitness, this particular performance will help lay the foundations needed for the long season ahead.

The week entailed a mix of high quality coaching from qualified IFA coaches as well as many fun activities which challenged and developed the skills of the children.

On the final day there were competitions to decide on the Penalty King and the Keepy Up King. The competitions were closely fought but the eventual winners were:

• U7 Keepy Up King – Dara O’Kane
• U7 Penalty King – Luke Burns
• U9 Keepy Up King – Logan McCullough
• U9 Penalty King – Aodhan O’Hagan
• U11 Keepy Up King – Peter Armour
• U11 Penalty King – Stuart Drennan

The Umbro players of the week award were difficult decisions but the coaches agreed that the deserving winners were:

• U11 Player of the Week – Paul Donnelly
• U9 Player of the Week – Martin Mackle
• Umbro Merit Award – Dearbhla McCallion

Following the prize giving received an Umbro Pack containing a kit bag, a water bottle and the all important football!!!

Summing up the week the event co-ordinator Brian Hutchinson stated:

What a great success we had this week at Cahore Road. The number of players has increased from the previous years, the weather was good and we didn’t lose any playing time! Thanks to Nutty Krust for the goodie-bags that they provided for everyone.

If you missed out on the Draperstown funweek don’t worry! The Draperstown Celtic Skills Development Centre continues every Saturday throughout the summer at
Cahore Park from 11am at a cost of £2.00 per child. If you require further details please contact the Centre co-ordinator, Paul McCallion on 07841344253.

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This annual pre-season tournament is now a firm fixture on the local football calendar, and with a very competitive spirit shown over the years by all participating teams it has proven to be a great preparation source for all clubs as they commence their new season.

This years tournament will kick-off on Monday 26th July between 2008 winners Newtowne F.C and Irish Intermediate League team Killymoon Rangers. Tuesday27th sees host club Draperstown Celtic with their new management team of Marty McGuigan and Chris Larkin up against progressive Ballymena outfit Broadway Celtic. Wednesday sees Intermediate League’s Dungiven receive a bye unfortunately for the competition  into the next round by virtue of a very late withdrawal of  local opposition. The opening ties conclude onThursday 29th July with the tie of the round when cup holders Magherafelt Sky Blues take on local rivals Tobermore United.

The Semi-Finals wil be played the following Monday 2nd & Tuesday 3rd August,with the Final scheduled on Friday 6th August 2010.

All games will kick-off at 7pm and if level after 90 minutes the game will be decided by a penalty shoot-out.

Monday 26th July: Game A – Newtowne FC 6-0 Killymoon Rangers

Tuesday 27th July: Game B – Draperstown Celtic 1-1 Broadway Celtic *

Wednesday 28th July: Game C – Dungiven p-p Bye

Thursday 29th July: Game D – Magherafelt Sky Blues v Tobermore Utd

Monday 2nd August: SEMI-FINAL (1) Newtowne FC v Draperstown Celtic

Tuesday 3rd August: SEMI-FINAL (2) Dungiven v Winner Game D

Friday 6th August: Winner Semi-Final 1 v Winner Semi-Final 2

Kick off 7pm Sharp at Cahore Playing Fields.

45minutes each way to be decided on a penalty shoot-out in the event of a draw.
All games played under IFA rules.

* Broadway withdrew due to other committments