ULSTER SENIOR LEAGUE champions Cockhill got their title defence off to a winning start with a narrow win over a committed Fanad team in windy conditions in Cockhill this afternoon.
Cockhill Celtic 1-0 Fanad UnitedÂ
Cockhill started brightly with a Garbhan Friel shot went narrowly wide on four minutes. While Cockhill were on top, Fanad were dangerous on the break.
Photo caption: The Cockhill Celtic side that overcame Fanad United in the Ulster Senior League today. Photos: Cockhill Celtic FC facebook
On 19 minutes, Cockhill went close when a Ronan Doherty corner was headed back across goal by William O’Connor. When Mark Moran challenged Fanad keeper Shane Graham the loose ball was hacked off the line.
Fanad replied with a Marty McAteer free kick being tipped over by Gavin Cullen. Cockhill suffered a setback on 31 minutes when Friel picked up an injury and had to be replaced.
The Fanad United team that played against Cockhill Celtic this afternoon in the Ulster Senior League
The second half started with Cockhill again on top possession wise but Fanad looking dangerous. In fact, Fanad should have taken the lead on 51 minutes when Davitt Walsh’s cross was half cleared to Caolan McElwaine whose shot was brilliantly saved by Gavin Cullen. This was the catalyst for Cockhill’s best passage of the game.
[adrotate group=”38″]Firstly, Gerry Gill and James Bradley went close before Mark Moran struck for the winning goal on 61 minutes, cutting inside and firing low past Graham from the edge of the box.
Fanad had a chance to equalise on 76 minutes when Darragh McDaid found space in the Cockhill box but his shot found the side netting
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