ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE outfit Railway Union proved much too strong for Raphoe in Saturday’s Irish Senior Cup clash at Sandymount in Dublin.
Railyway Union 7 Raphoe 1
Raphoe were under pressure from the first whistle until the last as Railway’s pace and fast movement of the ball was like nothing Raphoe had encountered so far this season.
Railway pushed forward in numbers and took the lead after 15 minutes from their first short corner of the game.
Goal number two quickly followed, Raphoe lost possession in the middle of the field far too easily and with Raphoe now short on numbers at the back Railway counter attacked and walked the ball into the net with ease.
Railway’s third goal came their second short corner and another flick from the top of the circle that just evaded Rankin’s left hand.
Railway scored two more quick goals just before half time when Raphoe again gave the ball away far too easily and were punished by a ruthless Railway front line. The half ended 5 – 0 to Railway.
Into the second half and Raphoe tried to play a bit more hockey to get back into the game and had the first chance of the half but Alan Lyttle mis-hit his shot when well placed in the circle.
Raphoe’s high didn’t last long as Railway scored again, carving through Raphoe’s defence with ease and slotting the ball past Rankin.
Luke Witherow nearly scored a wonder goal for Raphoe shortly after – he ran onto a through ball from midfield, controlled the ball with his first touch and tried to lob the advancing keeper with his second but unfortunately saw his effort hit the outside of the post.
Railway scored their seventh five minutes later from another short corner but this time instead of the flick from the top of the circle the ball was switched around but still ended in a goal.
With fifteen minutes of the game remaining Raphoe had to dig in deep at the back and some last ditch tackling from Kilpatrick, Bates, Tinney and Meehan kept Railway from scoring any more goals.
Raphoe eventually scored with the last hit of the game – a cross into the circle from Rodney Bates found George Patterson who deflected the ball past the keeper.
Next week Raphoe are back in league action with a home game against Kilkeel. Push back at the Royal School Grounds is 2.30pm.
Raphoe: Johnny Rankin, William Kilpatrick, Alexander Tinney, Paul Stewart, Alan Meehan, Ian McGonigle, Kit Regan, George Patterson, Keith Meehan, Alan Lyttle, Luke Witherow, Stephen Cleverley, Vincent Devenney.
Tags: