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Rashenny rue missed chances
18.12.08
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Rashenny Reserves...0 Greencastle Reserves...1 (John Gillen 7) by Michael Stamp, Inishowen Independent, at the Isle of Doagh FOOTBALL is probably the most unfair, unforgiving game in the world. A sport where, despite having the lion’s share of possession and efforts, you can still end up on the losing side. However, this frustrating side of soccer is also what makes it so enthralling: after all who wants to watch a dull game? Mind you, I wouldn’t repeat these sentiments to a Rashenny side that must be deeply discouraged at losing a match that they should have at least got a point from. A seventh minute John Gillen goal was enough to separate two very well matched sides. Rashenny were left frustrated as despite their dominance in the second half they just couldn’t find a way past the stellar Patsy Barr in the Greencastle goal. |
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Gillen’s early goal would
have to be blamed on the home side’s defence who only
cleared the ball as far as him after a Greencastle
attack. Credit must go to the Greencastle midfielder who
buried his shot into the bottom left hand corner giving
Sean Friel no chance. This lead was almost doubled moments later when a mix up between Owen McGonigle and Friel nearly let James McColgan through but they recovered to clear. Friel made amends for this soon afterwards with a good save from Ryan McClenaghan when the Greencastle striker was through one-on-one and an even better stop from a sweetly struck curling effort from John McColgan. Greencastle were mounting most of the attacks in the first half but they were guilty of wasting their set pieces with good chances from corners and free kicks going a-begging far too regularly. Rashenny were guilty of the same crime, though when Brian Grant sent a decent ball into the Greencastle area none of his teammates were there |
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to connect. Rashenny’s best chance at this point would have been when Christopher Gibbons fizzed a ball across the line that Kevin Noone could only strike into Patsy Barr’s hands. Barr was called into action again moments later and did well to stand up when faced with a one-on-one with Gibbons. Greencastle came back through Downey who tested Friel from distance but the Rashenny custodian was equal to the task. Rashenny kept plugging away for an equalizer and good interplay between John and Brian Grant drew a good save from Barr. Just before half time Rashenny came even closer when Kevin Noone had a shot cleared off the line, Greencastle, to their credit, were defending very well. From the beginning of the second half the home side were sent out with an attacking mentality and it nearly bore fruit for them, Gibbons neatly beat Gillen just outside the area before sending in a great ball that John Grant missed by inches. Moments later Barr saved Greencastle again when he pulled off a great point-blank stop from Gibbons. Greencastle could have doubled their lead but a great tackle from Paddy Grant stopped Shaun Downey from getting through. Greencastle had an effort moments later when Ryan Doherty embarked on a good run but his shot went way wide. Rashenny were pressing hard at this point but couldn’t find a way past Barr. Kevin Noone and Gibbons both had unsuccessful efforts and Gibbons sent a free kick over the bar. The home team kept plugging away but Greencastle were defending heroically and despite Gibbons having a late effort that he poked into Barr’s hand and the away team managed to hold on for a valuable, if not entirely deserved, three points. Rashenny Reserves: Sean Friel, Paddy Grant, Owen McGonigle, Phelim Noone (Daniel McGonigle), Corney McCole, Martin Shiels (Cathal Herron), Kevin Noone, Conor Collins, Brian Grant (Darragh McLaughlin), John Grant, Christopher Gibbons. Greencastle Reserves: Patsy Barr, Jim Doherty, John McDermott (Shaun Doherty), Michael Barr, Mike Price, John Gillen, James McColgan, Seamus Doherty, Shaun Doherty, Ryan McClenaghan, Ryan Doherty. Subs: Mark Kearney, Shaun Doherty, Tony Boyce, Ciaran McDonald. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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