Local football round up, 25th February 2012

The improvement in the weather saw all Premier division, First division and Junior cup ties go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.

Premier Division

Crieve pick up first league win of season

Crieve Rovers picked up their first league win of the season after coming back from 3-1 down to defeat Cleary Celtic 5-3 at Jennings park. Crieve took an early lead but Cleary hit back with goals from Karl and Mattie Sheilds to give them a 2-1 advantage at the interval.

Shane Lundy put Cleary 3-1 up early in the second half which was a little harsh on Crieve, as not for the first time this season, the scoreline didn’t reflect their play. Crieve were playing good attacking football and were unlucky not to pull a goal back when Stephen Hughes hit a great effort from 35 yards out only to see his shot come back off the crossbar.

Crieve rallied in the final twenty minutes of the game with an onslaught on the Cleary goal with strikes from Damian McCrink, Barney Havern and Pavel to turn the game around and give them a 4-3 lead. Mickey Lennon put the final nail in Cleary’s coffin when he scored Crieve’s fifth with the last kick of the game, slotting the ball past Dusty O’Hagan in the Cleary goal.

Finn Harps edge Rockview in seven goal thriller

Finn Harps did their title aspirations no harm after picking up three points in a seven goal thriller against stable mates Rockview United at Frank Curran Park. A close range effort from Caolan Gray and an own goal gave Finn Harps a two goal advantage after twenty minutes. Gavin Greaves then threaded through to Gray who calmly slotted the ball past the ‘keeper from close range on the half hour mark to give Harps a three goal cushion. Rockview pulled a goal back a minute before half time when a well taken corner found Conor McCaul totally unmarked to head the ball home.

Early into the second half Gray completed his hat trick when he beat his man and hit a fierce drive that gave Michael McKevitt in the Rockview sticks no chance. Rockview never gave up though and goals from Robbie White and an unstoppable shot from new boy Lucas got them right back into the game. Rockview pressed hard for an equaliser in the final minutes of the game but the Finn Harps defence stood firm and held out for a big win.

Kilkeel too strong for Damolly

Damolly’s good run came to an end after they went down 2-0 to Kilkeel Athletic at the Esplanade. Ex Down GAA star John Clarke gave Kilkeel the lead when he hit a fine volley right into the top corner of the net from just outside the box. Liam Rooney got the second goal from the penalty spot.

Win sees Woodside move up the table

Woodside were too strong for Ballybot in a battle of two teams at the wrong end of the table at Orior Park. Woodside played some great attacking football and goals from Brendan Doran, Seamie Trainor and Kyle Cartmill gave them three valuable points. This result sees them move seven points clear of the relegation zone.

First Division

Grasshoppers grind out win over Midway

Grasshoppers got the better of fellow promotion hopefuls Midway United in a very closely fought encounter at Jennings Park. Seanie Rogers put the ‘Hoppers in front before Feenan replied for Midway to leave the sides level at half time. Grasshoppers scored twice early in the second period to give them a two goal cushion. Midway created plenty of chances and got themselves back into the game when Feenan grabbed his second goal of the game midway through the second half.

The Meadow side pressed for an equaliser and came very close to getting it on a number of occasions – Martin Fitzmaurice twice forcing good saves from the ‘Hopper’s goalkeeper. Grasshoppers held out though and this result keeps them in third place in the table, on the tails of the top two in the promotion places.

Whitecross slip up at Milburn

League leaders Whitecross suffered their first defeat of the calendar year away to Milburn. Colly O’Hanlon gave Whitecross the lead directly from a free kick just after half time. Allan McFerran got Milburn back on level terms with a 25 yard cracker shortly after. Packy McNulty then put Milburn 2-1 ahead after a fine passing move from a short corner. Whitecross pushed for an equaliser but were caught out on the counter attack when Daniel Quinn got forward to give the ‘Point side a 3-1 lead. Cathal McSherry scored in the final minutes for Whitecross but at that stage it was too little, too late.

Rare win for Ashgrove Rovers

Cartwheel United started this game brightly and had chances to open the scoring early on. Ashgrove began to dominate the game after this spell of pressure from Cartwheel and were rewarded when Cricky Smith cleverly flicked the ball past the Cartwheel ‘keeper to give them the lead. Smith then doubled his tally when a cross- come-shot caught out the goalkeeper shortly before half time.

Cartwheel started the second half as they did the first and got back into the game when they scored from a free kick. The south Armagh men looked dangerous going forward as they went in search of an equalizer but were dealt a sucker punch when Ashgrove knicked a third goal against the run of play. Ashgrove’s big central defender Aaron O’Callaghan grabbed a rare goal when he got on the end of a free kick to volley the ball home and give Marty Magee’s men the much needed points.

Junior Cup

It was mixed emotions for the two Newry sides in their quarter final ties on Saturday. Bessbrook bowed out of the competition 1-0 away to Strathroy Harps of Omagh. Anthony Fearon and Peter Murphy were sent off in a disappointing day for the ‘Brook.

Windmill are through to the Junior cup semi finals after they edged Enniskillen Town United by the odd goal in nine. Windmill’s goalscorers on the day were Nial Devlin x2, Chris Havern, Kevin O’Rourke and young Josh McKeown. Hopefully they can emulate their 2003 team and go on and win it!

Action from Grasshoppers v Midway and Crieve Rovers v Cleary Celtic

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Results

Premier Division             

Crieve Rovers    5 – 3       Cleary Celtic

Kilkeel Athletic 2 – 0       Damolly United

Newry Celtic      2 – 2       Killeavey United

Rockview Unite   3 – 4     Finn Harps

Woodside           3 – 1       Ballybot United

First Division    

Ashgrove Rovers              3 – 1       Cartwheel United

Clanrye Athletic                3 – 3       Bohemians

Grasshoppers                    3 – 2       Midway United

Millburn United                3 – 2       Whitecross AFC

North End Strollers          2 – 1       Drumcashlone

Parkview                             4 – 4       Rostrevor Rovers

Junior Cup quarter finals

Enniskillen Town United     4 – 5    Windmill Stars

Strathroy Harps (Omagh)   1 – 0    Bessbrook United 

 

Carnbane underage results

Under  10 

9.30am

Windmill Stars   1 – 0  Lisdrum  United

Warrenpoint  Town Colts   3 – 0   Lisdrum  Rovers

Warrenpoint Town  1 – 1   Barcroft

Rathfriland Swifts  0 – 1  Damolly

Killowen  1 – 1  Midway

10.00am

Annalong Rovers Colts   0 – 8  Windmill Stars

Annalong  Rovers  1 – 1  Lisdrum United

Valley  Rangers Colts  1 – 2  Barcroft

Camlough Rovers  1 – 0  Rathfriland Swifts

Damolly   0 – 0   Midway

10.30am

Valley Rangers  Colts  0 – 1  Lisdrum United

Annalong Rovers Colts  0 – 6  Lisdrum Rovers

Annalong  Rovers  0 – 0  Midway

Warrenpoint Town Colts  1 – 0  Camlough Rovers

Warrenpoint  Town   0 – 1  Killowen

11.00am

Warrenpoint  Town  6 – 0  Lisdrum Rovers

Damolly   0  –  2  Barcroft

Under  12 

Rathfriland   1 – 0  Midway  Reds

Valley Rangers  Colts  5 – 0  Midway United

Annalong Rovers  0 – 1  Camlough Rovers

Damolly  Cubs   5 – 2   Ballybot Celtic

Damolly Colts  0 – 3  Brookvale

Windmill Stars  7 – 1 Newry  City

Under 11

11.50am

Barcroft  1 – 3  Killowen

Under  13

10.00am

Lisdrum United  1  –  1  Tullyvallen Rangers

Valley Rangers  Colts   0  –  8   Lisdrum  Celtic

Under  14 

10.00am

Damolly    7  –  2   Ashgrove

Camlough  Rovers  10  –  0   Midway  United

Rathfriland   0 – 1  Midway  Devils

Under 16

10.00am

Ashgrove  Rovers   6  –  1   Dromore  Amateurs

Bessbrook  United  3  –  2  Crieve Rovers   at    Bessbrook

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