Not too hard for Rock
Rock were made to work hard for their laurels, but they won through to intermediate championship last eight at the expense of Strabane at Fr Laurence Park in Fintona yesterday, writes Kevin Kelly.
It was Strabane who held a narrow 0-6 to 0-5 lead at the end of a competitive first half. It was Rock who were the better side in the early stages as they chiselled a 0-4 to 0-1 lead. Eamon Ward and Cathal McWilliams hit fine points before Warner Mullan opened the Sigersons account from a free in front off the posts.
Rock though continued to look the more threatening side and outstanding efforts from distance from Diarmuid Carroll and Martin McCreesh increased their lead by the 17th minute.
That’s when Strabane enjoyed their best spell of the game as they played some superb controlled football to hit back. David Tayler, Paddy Roarty and Mullan helped to draw them level before centre half back John Paul Gallagher weighed in with a fine long range effort.
Five minutes before the break Strabane almost got in for a goal when midfielder Danny McBride burst through the middle before offloading to Mullan who in turn set up John McLaughlin whose palmed effort seemed destined for the net until Rock full back Peter Girvan somehow got back to clear the ball off the line.
Rock came straight down the field for James McCreesh to fire over the equaliser before Roarty had the final say of the half when his shot from the left wing was helped over the bar by Rock keeper Ciaran Quinn.
At the halftime kick-around Strabane sub keeper Shane McGonigle sustained a serious knee injury and it meant that the second half was held up for fifty minutes as he was taken to hospital in an ambulance.
When play resumed Rock half back Ryan Crilly levelled matters after two minutes and sixty seconds later Diarmuid Carroll smashed an unstoppable shot to the top left hand corner of the net.
That visibly lifted Rock and deflated Strabane, Conor McCreesh weighed in with a brace as the St.Patricks moved five clear.
Strabane made a fight of it with Mullan and substitute Rory McElroy both on target. But Rock were finishing the stronger with Conor McCreesh and his brother James both on target and they were comfortable winners in the end despite having Martin McCreesh sent off for a second yellow card offence.
Rock – Ciaran Quinn, Aidan Girvan, Peter Girvan, Mark McAleer, Ryan Crilly, Ciaran Gourley, Thomas Bloomer, Enda McWilliams, Martin McCreesh, Eamon Ward, Cathal McWilliams, Diarmuid Carroll, Aidan McGarrity, Conor McCreesh, James McCreesh. Subs – none used
Scorers – Diarmuid Carroll 1-1, Conor McCreesh 0-3, Cathal McWilliams 0-2, James McCreesh 0-2, Martin McCreesh 0-1, Eamon Ward 0-1, Ryan Crilly 0-1
Strabane – James O’Reilly, Connor McLaughlin, Ryan McElroy, Ben McGillion, Liam McGillion, John Paul Gallagher, Ryan O’Kane, Danny McBride, Gerard McCrossan, Paddy Roarty, Warner Mullan, Malcolm McCool, David Taylor, Martin Mongan, John McLaughlin. Subs – Brendan McLaughlin for Mongan, Rory McElroy for McCool, Peter O’Connell for Roarty, Fergal McGavigan for Taylor
Scorers – Warner Mullan 0-3, Paddy Roarty 0-2, John Paul Gallagher 0-1, David Taylor 0-1, Rory McElroy 0-1
Referee – Cathal O’Hagan, Brackaville
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Weather for Dungannon
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
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