League

Strand
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Oliver McBrand kicked off to start the match. Clontoe's Bow McPhil played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Oliver McBrand in the 7th minute of play. Keely Martyn struck a weak shot in the 8th minute. Rorry Mulvihill didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Clontoe. After 14 played minutes, Strand's Louie McLaughlin shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Bow McPhil came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Strand reached it. The nice shot from Nollaig McBrand in the 16thth minute just in front of the goal should have ended in point on the board, but Bow McPhil had a great feel for the game and superbly saved the ball from getting in by the left post. After having played for 22 minutes, Keely Martyn managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Clontoe's supporters crossed their fingers, but Keely Martyn was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Clontoe's Barney Martyn managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Louie McLaughlin in the 26 minute of the game. In the 27th match minute, Strand was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Louie McLaughlin to maneuver through the defense. Keely Martyn recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 29th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Rorry Mulvihill made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Keely Martyn in the 32nd minute of play. When Clontoe's Keely Martyn in the 33rd minute got a chance for a shot 33rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Strand's goalie prevented a goal. 34 minutes into the match, Clontoe's goalkeeper Bow McPhil had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Nollaig McBrand. Barney Martyn recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 37th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Nollaig McBrand could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 38th minute of the match, but Bow McPhil made a huge save. Alan McFrank kicked well hit freekick during the 39th minute of the match. Clontoe's Barney Martyn managed, thanks to a brazen rush, stole the ball on a throw-in made by Louie McLaughlin in the 44 minute of the game. In the 45th minute the ball was on its way in behind Strand's goalkeeper Rorry Mulvihill, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. A collision led to Strand getting a freekick after 47 minutes play. Louie McLaughlin hit a great ball. Rorry Mulvihill took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Keely Martyn, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 50th minute of the match Clontoe got a corner. Strand's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Riley Costello ran over to the corner to take the kick. Riley Costello made a great header on Clontoe's corner, it was just that Strand's Rorry Mulvihill managed to reach the ball for a save. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 1-0 at half-time.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Keely Martyn stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. During the 54th minute of the match Louie McLaughlin completely mistimed his tackle and brought down his opponent. The referee gave Louie McLaughlin a yellow card, his second in the match, which meant he could no longer take part in the game. 61 minutes into the game, Bradley Callaghan was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Clontoe's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Strand the free kick. If Nollaig McBrand had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 62nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When Keely Martyn came up free with the goalie in the 65th minute, the Clontoe fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Keely Martyn couldn't finish the play. Donlan Jameson fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 68th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Bow McPhil having to interfere. After 74 minutes, Oliver McBrand mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Strand and the Clontoe players grew even worse after the yellow card. Oliver McBrand hit a great freekick 74 minutes into the match. Oliver McBrand got his second yellow card in the match during the 81st minute which meant that he had to leave the ground. An unexpectedly hard shot by Keely Martyn in the 84th minute of play forced Strand's goalkeeper Rorry Mulvihill to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. A collision led to Strand getting a freekick after 86 minutes play. Nollaig McBrand hit a great ball. The supporters of Clontoe booed when Strand was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 89 match minutes in a wonderful position. Donlan Jameson didn't get a good kick on the ball. Keely Martyns short, quick shot in the 93rdth minute got Rorry Mulvihill to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Rorry Mulvihill made an important save on a dangerous shot by Keely Martyn in the 95th minute. The Clontoe players were relieved to hear the final whistle blow to end the match. The away crowd was happy to see their team win after a very tight game.