Narrow defeat for under-14 footballers

Kilrea made the most of their superiority in the first half when they raced into a 1-6 to nil lead. The Coleraine side seemed to be on the way to a heavy defeat as they were generally outplayed all over the park in that first half.

However they were a transformed side in the second half as Joseph Lundy and Ciaran Tosh got to grips with matters around the middle of the field. Niall Browne got the Eoghan Rua boys right back into the game early in the second half when his delicate lob landed in the Kilrea net.

Midway through the second half points from Hal McGonigle and Ciaran Tosh gave the home side a real boost. Then just four minutes from time Niall Browne cut through on the right hand side and blasted to the net from a narrow angle, that goal left just a single point separating the sides as the unlikely comeback seemed to be in full swing.

However Eoghan Rua could not keep up the pressure as Kilrea raced downfield three minutes from time to grab a second goal. Eoghan Rua were not quite done yet as a point from a Paddy Mullan free left just three points separating the sides going into the last minute. Kilrea sealed victory when a blistering shot was tipped over the bar by Eoghan Rua goalkeeper Conor Mitchell, for a four point win.

Eoghan Rua: Conor Mitchell; Aidan Brankin, Joe McCann, Conor Boyle; Shea McLaughlin, Ronan Gaile, Shea Eastwood; Joseph Lundy, Ciaran Tosh; Barry Daly, Hal McGonigle, Niall Browne; Stephen g McMullen, Paddy Mullan, Dermot Lynch. Subs: Luke Roantree, Thomas Magee.

Eoghan Rua scorers: Ciaran Tosh (1-2, 0-1 ‘45’), Hal McGonigle (1-0), paddy Mullan (0-1 free)

Eoghan Rua Lotto – Sunday, February 14, no jackpot winner. Numbers - 6; 8; 11; 16

25 winner - Niamh Baxter (Coleraine). Sunday, February 21, February jackpot - 2900