Coolera/Strandhill U14s victorious

COOLERA/STRANDHILL 5-11 TUBBERCURRY/CLOONACOOL 4-3

ON a perfect evening for football Coolera/Strandhill U14s entertained Tubbercurry who are riding high in the league.

At almost full strength a large squad of 24 players togged out and it was testament to the managers juggling skills that all got game time.

Oisín O’Neill was first to raise a flag following good work by Ciaran Langan. The roles were then reversed with the Strandhill player scoring from long range after an excellent O’Neill pass.

Andrew Lynch got the team’s only goal of the first half soon after but the locals were very much playing catch up to a slicker Tubbercurry outfit. The visitors held a 7 point lead going into the interval, a situation that could have been bleaker but for an excellent Cathal Moraghan penalty save. The half time team talk obviously had its desired effect as a much improved second half performance followed for Coolera/Strandhill. Mark McDaniel’s introduction after a lengthy injury absence was to prove crucial, his free taking and point scoring from open play gave his team an instant lift. Jamie Walsh pointed from distance as did the hard working Donnacha Beirne. Further scores from Ciaran Langan and Jarlath Herbert added further impetus, much of the revival stemming from an outstanding display from man-of-the-match Sergey Donoghue. Ross Doherty began to boss midfield and his incisive running opened more gaps in Tubbercurry’s defence. The South Sligo outfit did have some goal chances in the latter stages but a resolute Coolera defence marshalled by Owen McKirdy, aided by Jakob Krajewski, Rory Kinane and Ben Cawley held firm to run out winners on a scoreline of 5.11 to 4.3.

It ended honours even in the clash of west Sligo neighbours Enniscrone/Kilglass and Castleconnor in Division Two of the Fureys Coaches Sligo Senior Football League at Quigabar last Saturday evening.

In a game that was impacted by a strong wind blowing into the Easkey-end goal, Castleconnor made a bright start to lead 0-9 to 0-1 by the 25th minute mark, but Enniscrone/Kilglass clawed their way back into the contest with the wind at their backs in the second period, though they were guilty of some very wasteful shooting in the second half.

Both sides were minus some the services of key players, but Castleconnor had an excellent start and led 0-7 to 0-0 after the opening 20 minutes with Paul Flynn, Luke Munnelly and Jason Earlis among their early points scorers.

Centre-half back Rory Healy was central to Castleconnor’s early industry, while Alan Cawley at wing-forward was also highly effective.

Struggling in all areas of the field, Enniscrone/Kilglass were dealt two further blows in this period: goalkeeper Keith Mullaney was forced to leave the action on a stretcher with a foot injury, while Michael Moyles received a red card after just 22 minutes of play.

Down to 14 players, the signs were ominous for the seasiders but a promising finish to the half,

ENNISCRONE/KILGLASS: K Mullaney; MJ Crean, B Byron, E Bourke; J Ellis, C Mullaney, K Cawley; D Mullaney, C Tuffy; C O’Dowd, M Moyles, M Connolly; T Mahon, M Gordon, S Hargadon.

Subs used: A Duffy, E Hallinan

CASTLECONNOR: K Healy; Brendan Howley, K Earlis, R Keane; J Earlis, R Healy, C Barrins; J McDonnell, C Kilcullen; A Cawley, Brian Howley, L Munnelly; O Flynn, P Naughton, P Flynn.

Subs used: S Curley, L Naughton Ref: G Chapman