RATHMULLAN CELTIC REMAIN unbeaten after four games in the Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division after goals by Eamonn Sheridan and Shea Coyle gave them a win over Drumoghill FC.
Rathmullan Celtic 2 Drumoghill FC 1
The opening goal came on ten minutes when excellent build-up released Eoin Sheridan and his low cross caused panic in the defence, allowing veteran striker Eamonn Sheridan to slide home from close range.
Drumoghill had a great chance to equalise when Liam O’Donnell’s pass took two defenders out of the game, but Paddy Rafferty snatched at his shot and it flew over the bar with only ‘keeper Mark Gallagher to beat.
Five minutes later, Rathmullan (pictured above) should have increased the lead when Paddy Sheridan’s ball in found Eamonn Sheridan, who laid back for Kevin Doran, whose snap-shot was saved by Paul McCauley.
Drumoghill lost sweeper Benny Bonner to injury and the visitors had a real let-off when Doran’s cross picked out Paddy Sheridan at the far post, but his shot hit the side-netting.
A minute later, Eamonn Sheridan put Ryan Connolly through on goal, but he fired wide from a great position.
Rathmullan had another chance to increase the lead, but Eoin Sheridan’s daisy-cutter just eluded Doran on the six-yard line.
The hosts were made to pay for these misses when, in a rare first-half attack, Paddy Collins, who had replaced Bonner, beat two defenders and slid the ball through to Rafferty, who atoned for his earlier miss by coolly slotting past Gallagher.
Rathmullan regained the lead only eight minutes into the second half. A corner from the right was only partially cleared to Doran. His powerful drive wasn’t held by McCauley and centre-back Coyle, who was outstanding for the winners, scored from four yards.
Just after the hour, Rathmullan were close again, but McCauley saved well from Paddy Sheridan’s powerful shot.
Drumoghill (pictured below) began to grow into the game, but just couldn’t find the second equaliser.
O’Donnell played Rafferty in, but Gallagher denied him with his feet before a cross-cum-shot by Collins, who benefitted from good work by Chris Malseed and Phillip Whyte, was narrowly wide.
The visitors could have levelled when full-back Ray Quinn did well and his excellent cross looked destined for O’Donnell’s head, only for David Miller to somehow get back to clear.
Two minutes from time, Drumoghill produced another goalmouth scramble, which ended with Paddy Duffy, the referee, awarding Rathmullan a free, but not before Drumoghill had several chances to score.
In final minute, another Drumoghill free kick into the six-yard line produced panic in the home defence, but they couldn’t capitalise and, when Collins hit the side netting the confirmation came that they would leave empty handed.
Rathmullan Celtic: Mark Gallagher, Conor McNulty, Paddy Sheridan, Ryan Gildea, Shea Coyle, Aaron McClafferty, Kevin Doran, Eoin Sheridan, Eamonn Sheridan, Ryan Connolly, Alan Boal. Subs: David Miller for McNulty (40), Ryan McCullagh for E.Sheridan (60), Dara Patton for Doran (87).
Drumoghill FC: Paul McCauley, Ray Quinn, Chris O’Donnell, Benny Bonner, Gerard McGranaghan, Phillip Whyte, Keith Malseeed, Chris Malseed, Liam O’Donnell, Paddy Rafferty, Ethan McGeady. Subs: Paddy Collins for Bonner (26), Mark Gibson for McGeady (66).
Referee: Paddy Duffy.
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