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Rashenny hang on to share spoils
20.01.10
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Cockhill Celtic...0 Rashenny FC...0 by Damian Dowds, Inishowen Independent, at St Mary’s Park, Cockhill (Photo: Evan Logan) A DEFIANT, defensive performance from Rashenny earned them a share of the points against a Cockhill side that will wonder where it all went wrong. Despite having the best of the chances, Cockhill couldn’t get the goal their performance deserved and with Carrowmena losing away to Carn, Rashenny moved one point clear at the top of the First Division. Carn’s win sees them leapfrog Cockhill into fourth place. Rashenny can be grateful to keeper Kieran Friel who had a busy afternoon between the posts, pulling off a succession of fine saves. And having conceded a softish penalty midway through the second half, they were fortunate that Eamon Porter struck wide from the spot. While Rashenny finished strongly they will be happy enough to have gained a point from an encounter where they were mostly outplayed. |
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St Mary’s Park was in
excellent condition following its extended winter break,
although it did cut up a bit towards the end. No
surprise, given the snow, frost and rain it has endured
in recent weeks. The first chance fell to the home side when Rashenny keeper Kieran spilled a cross. The ball fell to Aidan Porter but with defenders between him and the empty goal line, he lofted his shot just over the bar. Eamon Porter shot over on 12 minutes before Paddy Nelson had Rashenny’s first effort a minute later, but while he managed to keep his 30 yard strike down, it went well to the right of Leo McColgan’s posts. That, and a sclaffed shot from 18 yards from Shane Collins that was easily saved, were the only chances that the visitors mustered in |
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the opening period. Cockhill had a litany of chances and spent most of the opening period camped in their opponents half, but when they found their way past the Rashenny rearguard they found Kieran Friel unbeatable. Liam McCarron, who had a fine first half in the Cockhill engine room, burst into the box in the 15th minute, but Friel saved low to his right at the expense of a corner. Five minutes later Aidan O’Donnell laid off to Eamon Porter, but Friel came out quickly and saved with his feet. Moments later Mickey Gallagher unleashed a shot from 35 yards out that flew just inches over the top. Rashenny were under the cosh, but central midfielders Anthony Doherty and John Doherty provided good cover for their centre halves, and Alan Friel provided a good outlet on the right of midfield. Five minutes before the break Shaun Porter headed just over after a great cross from Aidan Porter and the sides remained deadlocked at half time. Cockhill weren’t quite as dominant in the second half, but Kieran Friel was once again much busier than his opposite number, Leo McColgan who barely had a meaningful save to make all day. Aidan Porter drove high and wide within a minute of the restart, and then provided a cross for namesake Eamon but the latter nodded wide from ten yards. Referee Laurence Duggan was in a generous mood when he awarded Cockhill a 67th minute penalty when Aidan Porter went down under pressure in the box. Eamon Porter stepped up confidently to take the kick, but drove it right of the posts. The game petered out after that. Cockhill had a penalty award waved away on 72 minutes, and Shane Collins and substitute Damian Harkin both missed half chances for Rashenny. Cockhill had two late chances to take all three points. Kieran Friel was finally beaten in the 87th minute but Aidan Porter’s diving header rebounded off the post and was hacked clear by the defence. And a minute into injury time Cockhill’s substitutes James O’Donnell and Kieran McLaughlin combined, but McLaughlin headed O’Donnell’s corner wide from close range and the game ended with honours even. Cockhill: Leo McColgan; Michael Gallagher, Martin Donaghey, Shaun Porter, Shane McDaid (James O’Donnell 60 mins); Martin Bradley (Michael O’Connor half-time), Kieran McLaughlin, Liam McCarron, Aidan Porter (Kieran McLaughlin 89 mins); Aiden O’Donnell, Eamon Porter. Rashenny: Kieran Friel; Shaun Doherty, Rocky Ivers, Paddy Nelson, Barney Friel; Alan Friel, Anthony Doherty, John Doherty, Brian Doherty (Damian Harkin 70 mins); Emlyn Doherty, Shane Collins. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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