GAA: Replay will be close

REPLAYS rarely follow the path of the drawn game so it would be unwise to expect Eoghan Rua, Coleraine to burst out of the blocks with two goals in the opening five minutes and Slaughtneil to hit five unanswered points at the start of the second half.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Aug 2010, 10:34 BST

That was the pattern in these sides' drawn Derry senior football championship second round tie last time out. When the teams lock horns this Friday evening at Glenullin (7.00pm throw-in) in the replay it is very likely that a whole new pattern will emerge. Certainly Slaughtneil will want to get off to a much better start this time while Eoghan Rua will hope to build on any advantage they may gain.

Last time out Eoghan Rua blitzed Slaughtneil with two early goals and despite giving up a goal ten minutes from the end of the first half they still led by four at the break 2-3 to 1-2. However, less than ten minutes into the second half Slaughtneil reeled off five unanswered points to take the lead.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The sides then traded point for point in the second half with a Gregory Bradley point two minutes into added time setting up this Friday'evening's replay. Slaughtneil's midfield pair of Shane Kelly and Patsy Bradley in particular totally dominated the early stages of that second half that seen the Emmetts turn the game around. The key to victory for either side will surely be unlocked at midfield.

Slaughtneil will be hoping to dominate in that sector for longer periods this time around and if they do they will surely go some way to staking a place for the direct route to the quarter-final. Eoghan Rua must try to stop the dominance of Bradley as he almost single handedly dragged his side back from the brink last time.

If Eoghan Rua can gain at least parity in the midfield sector then they have the scoring forwards to make life difficult again for the Slaughtneil defence. Meanwhile Eoghan Rua must cut down the free count as, in Jim Kelly and Paul Bradley, Slaughtneil have two deadly accurate place kickers, they notched five points from frees last time.

Last year at this same stage of the championship Eoghan Rua needed extra time to get past Lavey in a replay in Glenullin. This Friday evening's replay could well need extra time to see who goes directly into the quarter-finals while the loser will have another bite at the cherry, simply too close to call.

Eoghan Rua Lotto: Sunday 8th August no jackpot winner. Numbers - 2; 9; 10; 15. 25 winner - Charlie McTaggart (Rasharkin). Jackpot Sunday 15th August - 5000

Related topics:GAAColeraine