An afternoon to forget for Loughgall

Loughgall manager Gerald Boyle is hoping to put a nightmare weekend in the past with a return to form tomorrow (Saturday).
Warner Mullen served Loughgall an an outfield forward and emergency goalkeeper on Saturday against Lurgan Celtic.INPT08-622Warner Mullen served Loughgall an an outfield forward and emergency goalkeeper on Saturday against Lurgan Celtic.INPT08-622
Warner Mullen served Loughgall an an outfield forward and emergency goalkeeper on Saturday against Lurgan Celtic.INPT08-622

Lurgan Celtic secured a 2-1 win on an afternoon which featured injury problems, a red card and decisive goal described by Boyle as “a freak”.

Gareth Buchanan suffered hamstring trouble across the early stages of the Championship One clash.

The goalkeeper hit half-time unable to continue - with Warner Mullen dropping back between the posts from attack.

Substitute Andrew Drylie had to leave the field due to injury and Jamie Rea’s afternoon was cut short by a red card. Celtic also finished with 10 men, having moved clear by 2-0 before Wilson Tavares’ finish.

“We need to wait and see how Gareth gets on but he is certainly out for Saturday and a doubt for the Irish Cup quarter-final,” said Boyle. “Warner has experience of nets so put his hand up at half-time and deserves credit for stepping forward.

“Obviously that left us short of Warner in attack but Daniel Ryan put in a brilliant shift as the lone striker and really caused Celtic problems.

“The Celtic goal to win it was a bit of a freak in that it bounced off the crossbar and hit off Warner then over the line.

“We have to live with the red for Jamie but felt it was harsh, with Andrew’s injury also adding to our problems.

“Hopefully that marks the end of our bad luck as everything went wrong for us.”

Loughgall and Finn Harps finished on level terns at 3-3 during Tuesday’s friendly fixture - with Jamie Rea, Joseph O’Connor and Daniel Ryan the home scorers.

Loughgall’s weekend game against Donegal Celtic will kick off at 2 o’clock.

“We will have Nicky Hudson and Ricky Copeland back available for the middle of the defence,” said Boyle. “We will look into our options to replace Gareth in nets.

“We will visit Donegal Celtic aiming to do the good things well and keep on working hard.”

LOUGHGALL: Gareth Buchanan, Mark Carson, Stuart Mallon, Graeme Taylor, Gary Henderson, Aaron Walsh, Steven Ferguson, Marcus Dallas, Jamie Rea, Warner Mullen, Daniel Ryan. Subs: Andrew Drylie, Mark Dane, Wilson Tavares, Joseph O’Connor.

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