GAA - Vital victrory for Eoghan Rua
EOGHAN Rua produced their best performance of the season to date, and at just the right time, with their shock 2-8 to 2-5 victory at second placed Kilrea.
The home side went into this game just three points adrift of league leaders Ballinascreen, having played one game less, with high hopes of another two league points which would keep them very much in touch in the league title race and the one automatic promotion place.
However the Coleraine men also had a big incentive, they needed the two points to keep their aim of staying clear of the relegation zone and maintaining, in their first season, their senior status. That they did with a performance of grit and determination and no little skill as they battled their way to a well deserved three point win which pushes them into third place and closer to their aim of avoiding the drop.
Despite playing with the aid of a stiff downfield wind Eoghan Rua went behind to a point from Charlie Kielt after four minutes. They were soon level when Richard Carey, who went on to turn in a man-of-the match performance, was fouled close in leaving Barry McGoldrick the opportunity to tap over the resultant free.
Eoghan Rua began to get the better of the exchanges around midfield through Gregory Bradley and Barry McGoldrick and moved two clear by the 12th minute. McGoldrick then finished off a move began by the industrious Cormac Trolan in defence, taken on by Ciaran Lenehan.
Good pressure by the Coleraine attack led to James Donaghy over-carrying, Gregory Bradley pointed the resultant free from a very tight angle. Going into the second quarter Kilrea stepped up the pace and retook the lead. A point from Paul Deighan got them going and after James Donaghy blazed a good chance for a goal wide he atoned for that miss in the 20th minute.
Good work by Lee Kennedy and James Kielt set up Donaghy and he made no mistake this time blasting to the net from close range. Coleraine responded well to that setback as Mark McTaggat drew a fine save from Kilrea goalkeeper Paul Morgan moments after giving up the lead.
Gregory Bradley then left the minimum between the sides as he swung over a point from a free, the very tight angle no problem to Bradley. A good run by centre back Sean Leo McGoldrick, who patrolled his area stylishly throughout, drew a foul which brother Barry pointed to level matters five minutes from the end of the half.
Another break from defence by Sean Leo McGoldrick led to a goal chance, Colm McGoldrick hitting low from a tight angle, goalkeeper Morgan doing well to palm away but Martin McGonigle first-timed the rebound over the bar for Coleraine to retake the lead. It got even better for Eoghan Rua as half-time approached; Kilrea spurned a couple of chances for points before the visitors grabbed a goal.
A short kick by Kilrea goalkeeper Morgan went all wrong as pressure on the defender led to Gregory Bradley winning the ball and finding Richard Carey who raced in to find the net with a crisply hit shot to the far corner. It was perfect timing as that goal sent Coleraine in leading 1-6 to 1-2 at the break.
The exchanges early in the second half were always going to be crucial. Kilrea launched a series of attacks but the Eoghan Rua defence was well up for the challenge. Kilrea were restricted to just two points in the third quarter, a good run and points from James Kielt was followed by a neat strike from Paul Deighan.
With Declan Mullan introduced midway through the half for his first taste of action this season following a long battle with injury he was involved in the lead up to a well taken point from Richard Carey which had Coleraine three clear again.
The same two players were soon involved to devastating effect ten minutes from time when Mullan placed Carey in the clear again, the full forward blasted in his, and Eoghan Rua's second goal which had them six clear.
What looked like a commanding lead did not last long however as a perceptive pass from James Kielt unhinged the Coleraine defence for Paul McWilliams to race through for a well taken goal.
When James Donaghy pointed from a free five minutes from the end to leave just two between the sides it looked as if the home side were in the ascendancy and would reel in Eoghan Rua. However the Eoghan Rua defence stood strong, a brilliant block by Niall Holley denied James Kielt.
In a breakaway Colm McGoldrick was fouled on the left, Barry McGoldrick calmly stroked the free over the bar to give Coleraine a three point winning margin. The visitors deserved their shock win which earned them two valuable league points while dealing a blow to Kilrea's hopes of promotion.
Eoghan Rua: Richard Carey (2-1), Barry McGoldrick (0-4, 0-3 frees), Gregory Bradley (0-2, frees), Martin McGonigle (0-1).
Kilrea: James Donaghy (1-1), Paul McWilliams (1-0), Paul Deighan (0-2), Charlie Kielt (0-1), James Kielt (0-1)
League Division 2
Pld W L D Pts
Ballinascreen 11 8 0 3 19
Kilrea 11 7 2 2 16
Coleraine 11 6 5 0 12
Glen 12 5 6 1 11
Lavey 10 4 4 2 10
Craigbane 11 4 7 0 8
Swatragh 11 3 7 1 7
Magherafelt 12 3 8 1 7
Comeback victory for under-16 camogs
Eoghan Rua Under 16 camogs came from behind to win in a highly competitive league game, 6-0 to 3-3, at home last Monday evening.
The game started with Castledawson exerting pressure and it was somewhat against the run of play that Eoghan Rua took the lead in the first quarter when a shot from Clare Crawley found its' way to the net. Castledawson kept up the pressure and soon found their scoring rhythm with a point followed by a goal and then two further points to lead 1-3 to 1-0 at the break.
It was difficult to see how the home side were going to cope as Castledawson seemed stronger in the middle third of the pitch. The start of the second half seen Castledawson strike for a second goal to lead by 6 points, but it was then that the Eoghan Rua side found their scoring form.
Constant harrying of the opposition and no little skill allowed the attack to flourish and four goals, two from Clare Crawley and one each from Michelle Grant and Maeve McWilliams saw Eoghan Rua take a six point lead, 5-00 to 2-03. Castledawson kept battling and scored another goal to close the gap to three points before another Clare Crawley goal made the game safe.
In the Coleraine defence Maria Mooney, Megan Kerr and Orla Mullan shone. Megan Thompson gave everything at midfield while in attack Clare Crawley, Katie Mullan and second half sub Clare Tracey performed well.
Eoghan Rua: Rachel Gaile, Fiona Shannon, Maria Mooney, Donelle Reynolds, Orla Mullan, Megan Kerr, Lauren McAleese, Megan Thompson, Michelle Grant (1-00), Maeve McWilliams (1-00), Katie Mullan, Claire Hill, Bronagh Adjey, Clare Crawley (4-00), Claire-Louise Grant. Subs: Clare Tracey for C.L. Grant, Megan McWilliams for Michelle Grant.
Eoghan Rua Lotto latest
Sunday, September 7, no jackpot winner. Numbers were - 3: 7; 8; 13. There were seven 'match three numbers' of 30 each: Mary B McTaggart (Portstewart); Mr. M. Matsvimbo (Portstewart); Lisa Weir (Coleraine); Anne McWilliams (Portstewart); Patricia Mullan (Coleraine) Mrs McAleese (Coleraine); Monica Dillon (Coleraine)
Sunday, September 14, jackpot - 6500
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Wednesday 30 May 2012
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