Curraha get no reward for a fighting display

OLDCASTLE CURRAHA 2-15 1-13

PROMOTION-CHASING Oldcastle dented Curraha’s promotion hopes as they moved into second place following this away win on Thursday evening.

Curraha were severely understrength, but they still produced an excellent display and were somewhat unfortunate not to get something from the game.

Oldcastle opened the scoring with a brace of points before Jack O’Connor and Evan McGovern brought their side level after 10 minutes.

The visitors got in for their first goal soon after, despite the best efforts of keeper Luke McCarthy. Points were then traded on two occasions, with Neil Shortall and Sean Keogh from a ‘45 on target for the hosts. Two further pointed frees from Keogh left one between the teams at the break, Oldcastle ahead 1-4 to 0-6.

Curraha made the best possible start to the second half when Robert Reid punched the ball to the net after great work from David Coyle. However, Oldcastle responded to the challenge with four successive points. Another free from Keogh brought it back to the minimum, but a fisted effort from Gilsenan was followed by another Oldcastle score and they eventually went four clear.

A penalty gave Curraha an opportunity to close the deficit, but they only managed a point from it from Jack O’Connor.

Oldcastle struck for their second goal before Andrew Coyle, Robert Reid and Phelim Dowling hit points late on for Curraha. CURRAHA: L McCarthy; M Phelan, P Dowling 0-1, C Joyce; I Battersby, A Coyle 0-1, G Coyle; N Shortall 0-1, B Joyce; A Battersby, S Keogh 0-6, J O’Connor 0-2; D Coyle, R Reid 1-1, E McGovern 0-1. Subs: C McCann for I Battersby, J Mangan for D Coyle.