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Swifts force playoff with Culdaff
08.05.09
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By
Simon McGeady, Inishowen Independent, at Caratra Park Culdaff Reserves...1 (P. McLaughlin 38) Quigley’s Point Swifts Reserves...2 (Curran 45+3, Harkin 62) IT'S NOT been a good week for Culdaff reserves. First they miss out on a berth in the Fr O’Gara Cup final, going down to 2-1 to Greencastle last Sunday, then six days later on their own patch they go down to title rivals Quigley’s Point Swift’s reserves by the same scoreline. A draw would have secured the league title for the hosts, but despite striking first, they were unable to stop a determined Swifts outfit from grabbing the win that sees the Muff-based outfit force a championship-deciding playoff with Culdaff. |
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Culdaff were first to
threaten in this game – in the 2nd minute when Gerard
McLaughlin headed wide from just in front of the penalty
spot – but the first half hour was bossed by the
visitors. In the 10th minute Adam Harkin rose bravely with Houten to head the ball into the Culdaff net, but a late flag from the linesman saw his celebrations cut short. With midfielder Paul Hegarty spraying accurate long passes this way and that from his withdraw position, the home defence was often on the back foot in the first half. Hegarty released Raymond Buchannan with a ball in behind Raymond McFeeley but with only the keeper to beat, the Swifts striker hit straight down Houten’s hatch. Both teams struggled to get the ball down and play at times, with the easy option of the hoof often resorted to. Culdaff’s chances were limited, but when the |
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visiting defence failed to
deal with Houten’s long kick midfielder Gary Mills stole
in and centred for Hugo Curran, who blazed over the bar.
Brian Lynch, in goal for the visitors, got his first taste of the action on 34 minutes, dashing from his line to save at the feet of Mills. Four minutes later Culdaff took the lead. With the QPS defence still claiming a foul throw they were caught coming out late. Michael McLaughlin sent the ball back in and Patrick McLaughlin ghosted in to place a first time volley beyond Lynch, not an easy skill but he made it look that way. QPS reserves are sponsored by a bookmaker and they would have given good odds on their benefactors coming back to win at that stage, especially after Harkin fluffed a good chance. Then came the pivotal moment in the match. Deep in first half injury time, with Culdaff supporters calling for the half-time whistle, a Rory Delap style throw in was flicked on at the near post by Buchannan and, with Mark Duffy causing havoc, the ball broke to Curran on the edge of the area and he lashed the ball high into the net. Culdaff forced a couple of corners at the start of the second half but they fell behind for the first time in the game on 62 minutes when, from Alex O’Brien’s driven cross from the right, Harkin thumped a powerful header beyond Houten. Straight up the other end and a chance for Culdaff to equalize when Stuart McKeague’s shot from the edge of the area was deflected over the crossbar with Lynch beaten all ends up. Culdaff struggled to cope with the aerial threat posed by Buchannan and Curran all game and when the former set up the latter from the right, the power on the cross meant Curran was unable to repeat Harkin’s feat and bag his second of the game. And another goal was what QPS needed, because an equaliser for Culdaff would have seen them lift the title at the Point’s expense. Mark Duffy and Curran wasted good chances to grab that all-important third, ensuring a nervous finish to the game for the visitors. The script was written for someone in a red shirt to play the starring roll but neither substitute Kevin Wallace nor fullback Michael McLaughlin could seize the moment and so these two sides will do it all again for the honour of being crowned league champs. Culdaff Reserves: George Houten, Michael McLaughlin, Dale Hutchinson, Raymond McFeeley, Martin McGrenraghan, Stuart McKeague, Gary Mills, Patrick McLaughlin, Brendan Lafferty, Eugene McLaughlin, Gerard McLaughlin. Subs: Conor McLaughlin for McGrenraghan (32), Gary Collins for E. McLaughlin (83), Neil Gordon for Mills (83). Quigley’s Point Swifts: Brian Lynch, Alex O’Brien, Mark Wallace, Trevor Gallagher, Cathal McColgan, Hugo Curran, Mark Duffy, Paul Hegarty, Adam Harkin, Raymond Buchannan, Brian McColgan. Subs: Dean Hegarty for B. McColgan (79), Kevin Wallace for Duffy (84), Damien McCallion for Buchannan (90+3). For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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