Rafferty makes a point for Cooley

COOLEY Kickhams kicked four unanswered points in the final quarter to rescue and draw and deprive Newtown Blues of their first victory.

Conor Rafferty’s point four minutes from time saw his side claim their second successive draw in Newfoundwell.

The Drogheda men will be relieved to finally get their first point on the board but will be somewhat disappointed not to have claimed victory.

Despite losing their opening four games, the Blues didn’t look like a side lacking in confidence as Conor Branigan kicked the first four points of the game. The home side got off the mark through Michael Rafferty on seven minutes but the Blues remained on top and they went 0-8 to 0-1 ahead on 25 minutes.

Late points from Ciaran Sheelan and Conor Rafferty kept Cooley in the game as they cut the gap to 0-8 to 0-3 at half time.

Points from Michael Rafferty (2), Aoghain McGuinness and Gerry Malone cut the gap to one point after 41 minutes, but the Blues looked to have reasserted control when sub Hugh McGinn scored the only goal of the game on 43 minutes.

However, that proved to be his team’s only score of the half as the Kickhams dominated the remainder of game and a brace of points from Michael Rafferty and Conor Rafferty saw them claim a share of the spoils.

COOLEY: Neil Gallagher; James Loughran, Conor Kenny, Patrick Hanlon; Gerry Malone 0-1, Alan Page, Keith White; Jake McShane, Peter Thornton; Ciaran Sheelan 0-1, Aoghain McGuinness 0-1, Michael Rafferty 0-5; Thomas McGuinness, Conor Rafferty 0-3, Michael Carron. Subs: Emmet Rogan, Conor McGuinness.

BLUES: Jason Lowney; Niall Costello, Fergal O’Donoghue, Adam McGinn; Ronan Levins, James Carter, Paul Moore; John Kermode, Keith Lynch; Conor Moore, Ciaran Downey 0-2, Lorcan Mc Quillan; Dale Harding, Conor Brannigan 0-6, Cormac Reynolds. Subs: Leigh Synott, Conor Farrell, Hugh Mc Ginn 1-0, Colm Judge.