GAA: Late rally not enough for Eoghan Rua

Five points adrift going into the final minute a Sean Leo McGoldrick goal gave the Coleraine side some hope and when Gregory Bradley pointed a free deep into added time only a point separated the sides.

To have any chance of pinching something from the game Eoghan Rua needed to win the kick out but Sean Woods, Ballinascreen's most influential player, came up with the ball and seconds later the final whistle blew with the home side just about deserving winners.

There was a good battle in midfield with the Ballinascreen pair Carlus McWilliams and in particular Sean Woods, just shading the issue over Coleraine's Sean Paul Henry and Paul Daly. Ballinascreen were very sharp up front, evidenced by the fact that all their scores came from open play, their pace and movement causing the Eoghan Rua defence problems throughout.

In tight games goals always prove to be the deciding factor and Ballinascreen did take full advantage of a couple of strokes of good fortune for both their 'three pointers'. The sides were level, two points each, when Ballinascreen got their first goal in the 11th minute.

A long range effort for a point came back off the post with Gavan Bradley profiting from what seemed to be a 'dodgy' hand pass before sliding low to the Coleraine net. Bradley then added a quick point before good pressure from Ballinascreen in midfield forced a turnover, the ball quickly transferred upfield for Eamon Murray to fire over the bar to extend the lead to 1-4 to 0-2.

The sides then traded two points each, Eunan and Eamon Murray for the home side with Richard Carey and Sean Paul Henry replying for Eoghan Rua. Just before the break Ciaran McGoldrick reduced the gap to four points as Ballinascreen went in 1-6 to 0-5 to the good.

Eoghan Rua started the second half well with points from Leo Sweeney and a Barry McGoldrick free. Ryan McGeough made a good block to deny Ballinascreen a goal chance just three minutes in.

The home side then made the most of a defensive mix-up at the heart of the Coleraine defence, the ball breaking kindly to the unmarked Gavin Bradley who made no mistake with a low drive to the corner of McGeough's net.

It was a real blow to the Eoghan Rua side that had started the second half in positive fashion. By the end of the third quarter Gregory Bradley, from a free, and a superb Barry McGoldrick effort from the right side helped to reduce the gap to four as Phillip Bradley rifled over a sweet long range point for the home side.

The sides continued to trade blow for blow going into the final quarter, Leo Sweeney for Coleraine pointing before Eunan Murray squeezed one over from a tight angle in reply.

Three minutes from time substitute Stephen Dooley almost got in from close range but a goal line save denied Eoghan Rua a goal. Moments after that close shave Ballinascreen went five clear as Eunan Murray pointed well.

That seemed to have ended any hopes Eoghan Rua had but a minute from time Sean Leo McGoldrick, who was pushed forward from his half back berth, struck home a fine goal through a ruck of bodies, finding a gap in the left corner.

Two points separated the sides as added time ticked on and when Gregory Bradley tapped over a close-in free Eoghan Rua knew they would have one last chance from the kick out.

They needed to gain possession but man-of-the match Sean Woods won the kick out and that effectively sealed the points for the home side as the final whistle sounded seconds later.

Eoghan Rua: Ryan McGeough; Mark Mearns, Ciaran Mullan, Ciaran Lenehan; Sean Leo McGoldrick, Barry McGoldrick, Anton Rafferty; Sean Paul Henry, Paul Daly; Hugh Casey, Ciaran McGoldrick, Leo Sweeney; Gregory Bradley, Colm McGoldrick, Richard Carey.

Subs used; Aidan Mullan for M Mearns, Stephen Dooley for H Casey.

Eoghan Rua scorers: Sean Leo McGoldroick (1-0), Gregory Bradley (0-2 frees), Barry McGoldrick (0-2, 0-1 free), Leo Sweeney (0-2), Sean Paul Henry (0-2), Ciaran McGoldrick (0-1), Richard Carey (0-1), Paul Daly (0-1)

Ballinascreen: Paul Woods; Darren McKillion, Michael McShane, Dermot Scullion; Ronan Devlin, John Scullion, Dermot McBride; Sean Woods, Carlus McWilliams; Emmett McKillion, Eamon Murray, Phillip Bradley; Gavin Bradley, Gary Conway, Eunan Murray.

Ballinascreen scorers: Gavin Bradley (2-1), Eunan Murray (0-4), Phillip Bradley (0-2), Eamon Murray (0-2).

No cup joy for Eoghan Rua

There was no joy for Eoghan Rua's footballers last week as they tumbled out of two knock-out competitions at the first hurdle in each case.

In the reserve championship Dungiven proved too strong as they ran out comfortable 3-18 to 0-12 winners. Dungiven had a star performer in Conor McElhinney who finished with a massive scoring tally of 2-11 to his name, he was in irrepressible scoring form from frees and open play.

Meanwhile Foreglen provided a shock in the first round of the Dr Kerlin Cup at pairc Eoghain Rua. The Division 2 side came from 2-5 to 0-5 down after 25 minutes to win with a bit to spare, 2-12 to 2-8.

Goals from Gregory Bradley, in the 8th minute and Ciaran McGoldrick in the 25th minute seemed to have put Coleraine well on their way to victory as they were dominating proceedings.

However, a Ciaran McFeely point and then a goal from Kevin O'Connor, just before the break, hauled Foreglen right back into contention. Midway through the second half points from Ciaran McFeely and Cathal O'Hara had Foreglen level but a Ciaran McGoldrick point eased Eoghan Rua briefly back in front.

With Mark McCormick beginning to get on top around midfield Foreglen hit the front when Eoghan McFeely goaled telve minutes from time. Two good points from James Brolly had Foreglen four clear going into the last five minutes.

A Niall Holly long range point gave Eoghan Rua some hope but Martin Farrell tapped over a free in added time to confirm Foreglen's 2-12 to 2-8 victory and passage to the next round of the Dr Kerlin Cup.