League

Rathkip Park
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Rowan Walker took the kick off in the first half of the match. The audience was convinced that Rowan Walker's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Riddoc McOliver was relentless in the 3rd minute of the game. After 18 played minutes Rathkip got a freekick which was hit by Carrigan McMichel. Coileán Lavine sent away a hard shot on goal in the 19th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 20 minutes, Scott Frankson mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Ballaghkeen and the Rathkip players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 21 played minutes Ballaghkeen got a freekick which was hit by Scott Frankson. Daithi Murphy sent away a hard shot on goal in the 27th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 27 minutes, Daithi Murphy mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Rathkip and the Ballaghkeen players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 27th match minute, Rathkip was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Daithi Murphy to maneuver through the defense. Riddoc McOliver showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Rowan Walker, who was totally free with the ball in the 33rd minute. In the 36th minute, Daithi Murphy got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. The audience thought a goal was coming when Daithi Murphy got free with Riddoc McOliver in the 38th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Rowan Walker sent away a hard shot on goal in the 42nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Coileán Lavine stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. 52 minutes into the match, Ballaghkeen's goal looked a bit too open when Daithi Murphy came free, but Riddoc McOliver reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Daithi Murphy was shown his second yellow card after 53 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. A collision led to Rathkip getting a freekick after 53 minutes play. Daithi Murphy hit a great ball. 58 minutes into the match, Rowan Walker had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Riddoc McOliver. Ballaghkeen's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Rowan Walker was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 2-0. Carrigan McMichel charged in rather forcefully in the 63rd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Carrigan McMichel the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 63rd match minute, Rathkip was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Carrigan McMichel to maneuver through the defense. Turlough Morrison sent away a hard shot on goal in the 68th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Rowan Walker had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 70th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Patty McIan fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 71st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Riddoc McOliver having to interfere. 76 minutes into the game, Binean Murphy was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Ballaghkeen's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Rathkip the free kick. In the 76th match minute, Ballaghkeen was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Binean Murphy to maneuver through the defense. After 81 played minutes Ballaghkeen got a freekick which was hit by Scott Frankson. Conaill Coyle showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Coileán Lavine, who was totally free with the ball in the 86th minute. Rowan Walker struck a weak shot in the 87th minute. Riddoc McOliver didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Rathkip. 89 minutes into the match, Toren Gillmour notched a goal, 3-0, to the right of Ballaghkeen's Riddoc McOliver. Riddoc McOliver was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Carrigan McMichel struck a weak shot in the 92nd minute. Riddoc McOliver didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Rathkip. A hard shot 96 in the game by Turlough Morrison from a close distance when the talented Conaill Coyle managed to make a qualified save. Rathkip's players were relieved. Rathkip were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of Ballaghkeen for a fine match.