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Redcastle rock Pike Rovers
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Redcastle...3 (McIntyre 19; Porter 72 and McCormack 86) Pike Rovers...1 (Harnett 39) By Michael Stamp, Inishowen Independent, at Foyle Park EVERYONE loves a sporting underdog. Whether it was James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocking the world and defeating Mike Tyson for the world heavyweight title or Wimbledon winning the 1988 FA cup against a Liverpool team full of quality, such stories have engrossed sports fans for years. Redcastle found themselves in the unusual position of being underdogs on Saturday when well-respected Limerick side Pike Rovers visited the peninsula for the sixth round of the FAI Junior Cup. With facilities many League of Ireland clubs would envy and three Irish junior internationals in their squad the away side were obvious favourites. |
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After defeating Portmarnock
in the previous round the Limerick side were priced at
6/1 by one bookmaker to win the tournament outright,
with Redcastle priced at 66/1. In fact said bookie had
the home side at 12/1 to win this fixture. However,
nobody told Redcastle they were underdogs – or rather
someone did meaning that a certain Mr P Power will be
several euros poorer this week and have reason to do
more research into Inishowen football. As if the quality of their opponents was not enough to have to deal with Redcastle were further hamstrung by the fact that Paul McGowan was only able to make the bench after his back strain. On a wet, slippery pitch Redcastle manager Brian Bell sent his side out to play a high tempo game not giving the visitors a chance to pass the ball as they would have wished. Despite this Pike Rovers had the better of the early play with Alan Finucane and Patrick Maloney having early chances. David Morris almost put the home side ahead when he found himself through one-on-one with Gerard Crossan, but the Redcastle number one did well to |
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stand up and block the
shot. Crossan was called into action again soon
afterwards making a good save from a Finucane header. Redcastle also had chances with Mickey Feeney heading over from an Eddie McIntyre cross and generally pressing the away defence. On 19 minutes this pressure paid off when Redcastle took the lead. Eamon Reddin played through Eddie McIntyre, the two-goal hero from the previous round against Manulla of Mayo, who kept his nerve and slotted home. Redcastle then entered a period of dominance and almost doubled their lead when Charlie McCormack was a hair’s breadth away from converting Mickey Feeney’s cross. The away side were still dangerous however, and they equalised six minutes before the interval. Patrick Mitchell sent a long ball down the right flank to Patrick Maloney who crossed to Irish junior international Keith Harnett who managed to stab the ball home from close distance. |
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During the interval the big question on supporters’
minds was whether Redcastle could keep up the relentless
pace they had imposed in the first half. The home side
were almost caught out from the opening whistle when
Patrick McGarry put David Norris through but Redcastle
managed to scramble the ball away. This was the best
spell of the game for Pike Rovers as goal scorer Keith
Harnett had a header saved and a shot blocked. Patrick
Maloney also hit over and Redcastle goalkeeper Gerard
Crossan had several vital takes. In an attempt to take
the lead Rovers sent on junior international David Wall
to try and make a breakthrough. Pike Rovers were made to rue their failure to make these chances pay when the home side took the lead after 72 minutes. A long punt from Crossan was nodded on by Feeney to Andy Porter whose finish sent the home crowd into raptures. The away side seemed stunned and started pressing the home defence but Redcastle were made of stern stuff with Martin Farren in particular defending heroically. For all their pressure the Limerick side couldn’t make a breakthrough and Redcastle put the tie beyond doubt with four minutes remaining. Another long punt from Crossan found Charlie McCormack who coolly placed his shot into the bottom corner to ensure a miserable six and a half hour journey home for the visitors. |
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A deserved victory for
Redcastle and a shock cup exit for the Limerick side.
Passage through to the last 16 of the cup and a
bookmaker losing money. It doesn’t get much better than
that. Redcastle: Gerard Crossan, Marty McNutt, Brian Tracey, Martin Farren, Cathal Faulkner, Jimmy Gallagher, Mickey Feeney, Eamon Reddin, Charlie McCormick, Eddie McIntyre, Andy Porter. Subs: Liam Davenport, Benny McDermott, Joe Doherty, and Paul McGowan. Pike Rovers: David McNamara, Patrick Mitchell, Jamie Enright, David O’Grady, Colm Enright, Patrick McGarry, Wayne O’Donovan, David Morris, Patrick Maloney, Keith Harnett, Alan Finucane. Subs: John Corbett, Philip Purcell, Kevin Fitzpatrick, and David Wall. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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