The 2003 Football Season

*The Reserves started their League campaign on Saturday with a home defeat to Fintona. The Seniors were a little more fortunate in coming away with a last gasp draw.

*The Reserves had their first win of the League when they overcame Stewartstown in Glenmornan on Saturday last. However the Seniors could only manage a draw, their second out of the first two rounds of the League.

*The Reserves and Seniors traveled to Eskra on Sunday last with an under strength Reserve team being defeated while the Seniors had a fine 5 point win.

*The Reserves and Seniors were at home to Beragh on Saturday last. Whilst the Reserves had a good win the Seniors were beaten.

*The Seniors had a good away win over Newtownstewart last Friday night. On Sunday both Reserves and Seniors again recorded victories, this time over Glenelly.

*The Reserves had no game on Friday due to Dregish being unable to field. The Seniors had a hard earned 3 point victory in their match. On Sunday the Reserves won easily when they travelled to Derrytresk. The Seniors however were very fortunate to take the 2 points in their match after squandering a 10 point half time lead to go a point down with ten minutes left. However a well-taken goal from Paddy Mc Nulty and a long-range point from Christopher Kelly sealed a victory.

*The Seniors drew with Castlederg last Thursday night in the League. They then beat Donegal side, Red Hugh’s on Monday night in the Sandy Harper Cup in Castlefin

*The Reserves and Seniors are travelled to Brockagh on Sunday last. The Reserves were beaten by 3 points whilst the Seniors had another good win.

Fintona Comeback From the Dead

If anyone never comprehended the old adage " a game of two halves", a trip to St Lawrence'e Park, Fintona for this 2nd v 3rd clash would have left them in no doubt to what the saying means. A Fintona side that looked out of the game at one point came back in the second period to win by the smallest of margins to dent the promotion dreams of the Leckpatrick men, and in turn boost their own promotion hopes.

As stated it was Owen Roes who came flying out of the blocks, in this Sunday evening throw-in and raced into a 3 points to no score lead, with Barry Porter returning to form to fire over 2 great points, sandwiched either side of a pointed free from Declan McCrossan. With the Glen men's midfield unit in a determined mood Fintona rarely troubled the defensive sector, and any forays that they made were quelled by the impressive Aidan Christie, ably supported by the Doherty brothers Willie and Kevin.

It was upon this base that Owen Roes went further ahead, pointing three more times through midfielder Chris Kelly, Porter and McCrossan once more. The roes' men even had a Paul Bradley goal ruled out for a square ball decision during their early scoring spree. Indeed it took until the 20th minute for Fintona to trouble the score-board for the first time, when a high hanging ball was pushed over the bar by Keeper Dylan Early. The two sides then pointed score for score, with McCrossan finding his range with a couple of more fine kicks to leave the score at 8 points to three. When the Tyrone man knocked over another, followed a minute later by Aidan McCrossan's first of the day the green and reds were running riot. However a late place kick on the stroke of half-time kept the Pearses just about in reach to leave the score 10-4 at the interval.

The second period though saw a complete reversal of fortune as the hosts, emerged fired up to save their season as defeat would've left them 3 points adrift of the men from the North of the county, and as John Early started to won ball in the pivotal areas of the field, the fulcrum started to turn in their favour. Three unanswered points by the home team, left one score dividing the sides, taking yet another point by half-forward McCrossan, his sixth of the day, to put some breathing space between the teams. It was getting fast and frenetic and this stage, with the back line of the visitors falling deeper and deeper, surrendering space and impetuous this only invited Fintona onwards, and again the sides traded point for point for a while, the Roes getting their scores through Aidan McCrossan and a first of the day for full-forward Paul Bradley. Again Fintona grabbed the initiative and edge closer and closer as the game entered its final five minutes.

Ronan Parker's fine score from the left put Owen Roes back in front of an absorbing contest at 14-13, but the Fintona men upped the ante further and as the game entered its closing minutes took the lead for the very first time, via two great pressure points. Indeed the game could've been all over put for a poor miss by the corner forward when through on goal during injury time.It looked like the visitors had missed their chance when efforts by Mark O'Neill and Kelly dropped short, but with two minutes extra played and Fintona clinging to their one point advantage, Owen Roes were giving a life line when they were awarded a difficult free just inside the 45, however Declan McCrosson's attempt dropped just wide, to signal the end of the game.

This result say Fintona leap-frog Owen Roes in the table, but with a long way left to go, their is sill a lot left to be decided.

Half Time Score: Fintona 0-4 E R ONeills 0-10
Full Time: Fintona 0-15 ER O'Neills 0-14
ER O'Neill: Dylan Early, Kevin Doherty, Aidan Christie, Willie Doherty, Mark O'Neill, Stephen Dooher, Noel Mullan, Chris Kelly, Kevin Moore, Sean og Devine, Declan McCrossan, Ronan Parker, Barry Porter, Paul Bradley, Aidan McCrossan
Subs: Sean Devine for Sean og Devine 28minutes.
Scorers: Declan McCrossan (0-6), Ronan Parker (0-1) Barry Porter (0-3) Aidan McCrossan (0-2) Chris Kelly (0-2)

*The Senior team were beaten on Friday night last in the Championship by Eskra, in a game where all but a goal and a point of Eskra's score came from frees. This disappointing, below par performance by the Roe's was turned on it's head, however, when the team travelled to Stewartstown on Sunday afternoon for a League match. In a game the team needed to win to keep them in touch of promotion against second place Stewartstown, all memories of Friday night were brushed aside and a fine performance from all the players who took the field made for a deserved victory, especially from Declan Mc Crossan who scored 7 points from his midfield position.

*The Reserves were away to Eskra last Saturday night to play in the Reserve Knockout Competition, and were unfortunately beaten by a point in a very close match.

*At the weekend Drumragh visited Glenmornan and suffered a 0-14 to 0-4 defeat. The game was still in the balance until the 2nd half, when a great performance by the Eoghain Roes back line kept the Drumragh team score less for the whole 30 minutes. Ronan Parker shot over 0-5 in the victory.

Owen Roes V Drumragh Saturday 11th Oct 2003
Half Time: Owen Roes  0-8 Drumragh 0-4
Full Time: Owen Roes  0-14 Drumragh 0-4

Owen Roes Team:
1. Andy Devine
2. Paul Kelly
3. Aiden Christie
4. Willie Doherty
5. Kevin Doherty
6. Steven Dooher
7. Noel Mullen
8. Chris Kelly (0-1)
9. Steven Kelly
10. Sean Og Devine (0-2)
11. Brendan Boggs (0-2)
12. Mark O'Neill (0-2)
13. Aiden McCrossan (0-1)
14. Ronan Parker (0-5)
15. Kieran Kelly

Less than 24 hours later and a trip to Castlederg heralded another much needed 2 points as the North Tyrone derby saw the visitors emerge victorious 1-14 to 0-8. This performance was especially impressive as the Roes had to field without first team players Declan McCrossan, captain Kevin Moore, Paul Bradley, Dylan Early and Paddy McNulty.
The midday throw in seemed to suit the team from Leckpatrick as they raced into a 0-7 to no score lead before Castlederg found their range. However keeper, Andy Devine, had to pull off a great save to prevent the hosts scoring a goal during this period. It took a goal by Brendan Boggs minutes later  to leave the half time score:
Castlederg 0-4 Owen Roes 1-10.
Castlederg made use of a strong breeze in the 2nd half to emerge fastest by scoring 4 unanswered points. Eventually though a couple of fine scores by Kieran Kelly meant that Palor McNulty's men were home and dry on a score line of Castlederg 0-8 Owen Roes 1-14.
With four matches left to play, Owen Roes need to win every game to secure a divisional promotion play-off. It will still take some hard work from the team though to get there so all support at games would be much appreciated. It would be encouraging to see all those members and supporters who supported Tyrone in the All-Ireland Final now getting behind THEIR Club's Senior team in the coming weeks.

Castlederg V Owen Roes Sunday 12th October 2003
Half Time: CDerg 0-4 Owen Roes 1-10
Full Time: CDerg 0-8 v Owen Roes 1-14

Owen Roes Team:
1. Andy Devine
2. Paul Kelly
3. Aiden Christie
4. Willie Doherty
5. Kevin Doherty
6. Steven Dooher
7. Noel Mullen
8. Chris Kelly (0-3)
9. Steven Kelly
10. Sean Og Devine
11. Brendan Boggs (1-1)
12. Mark O'Neill (0-1)
13. Aiden McCrossan
14. Ronan Parker (0-5)
15. Kieran Kelly 0-4)
16. Dylan Early for Andy Devine 30mins
17. Paul Bradley for Mark O'Neill 43mins

The Reserves and Seniors were back in action in the Glen on Saturday last against Eskra. Although the Reserves were beaten, the Seniors picked up another 2 valuable League points over the newly crowned Junior champions. With three matches left to play, another two points will leave the team well in contention for promotion to Division 2 and a League title

Owen Roe's v Derrytresk

Half time: Owen Roe's 2-06 Derrytresk 0-1
Full time: Owen Roe's 2-08 Derrytresk 0-3
Owen Roe's: Dylan Early, Paul Kelly, Aidan Christy, Willie Doherty, Kevin Doherty, Stephen Dooher, Noel Mullan, Chris Kelly (0-2), Stephen Kelly, Mark O'Neill, Paul Bradley, Sean Og Devine (0-1), Aidan Mc Crossan (1-3), Ronan Parker (0-2), Ciarnan Kelly (1-0).
Subs used: Gerard Kelly for Mark O'Neill

Dregish 1-5 Owen Roe's 1-12

Owen Roe's: Dylan Early, Paul Kelly, Aidan Christy, Willie Doherty, Kevin Doherty, Stephen Dooher, Noel Mullan, Chris Kelly (1-03 (goal from a penalty), Paul Bradley, Mark O'Neill (0-2), Brendan Boggs (0-1), Sean Og Devine, Aidan Mc Crossan (0-1), Ronan Parker (0-4, 0-3 from frees), Ciarnan Kelly (0-1).

The Club’s Senior team made some history on Sunday last when they beat Newtownstewart in their final League game of the season to overtake Fintona by a single point to claim the Division 3 League title for the first time. The Senior teams last League title was won away back in 1981 when they won the Division 2 title, although the Reserves have won a few in that time. The scenes of celebrations in the Club on Sunday night reflected what what winning the title meant to the players and the supporters and they will probably go on for a few weeks yet!!! Thanks must go team manager Pallor Mc Nulty and his assistants, Kimble Kelly and Declan Bradley, for all their hard work during the year. Thanks also to the team first aider, Sarah Jane Kelly and all the umpires, linesmen, bar staff and gate staff, to Ann Kelly for washing the team kits, the grounds people, to all those who came out to support the team, and any one else who helped in any way during the season. Thanks also of course to all the players who trained hard since January and made many sacrifices to attend.

Owen Roe’s Make History

In an historic year for football in Tyrone, Owen Roes added their name to the book, when on Sunday they were crowned the All County League Division 3 champions in the Red Hand County. In front of one of the largest crowds seen in the Glen in a few years.  The Leckpatrick men's 1-16 to 0-4 victory over Newtownstewart saw them pick up a senior title for the first time since 1981.

Although the score line looked relatively one-sided this does not do credit to a Newtown side that worked incredibly hard over the hour, and made the Roes earn every single score. However they met a team, who were visibly determined not to throw a season's long effort all away. Indeed with a 0-9 to 0-1 half time lead, the tone for the contest was set. The highlight of the first half was 4 points from Tyrone minor Brendan Boggs.

You could have forgiven the red and greens for emerging from the half-time interval lethargic and complacent, however an exhibition of scoring from the full-forward line kept the score board ticking over, with Aidan Mc Crossan and Ronan Parker to the fore.

50 minutes into the match the other team members, who helped build this success during the year, got a run out. 
Tyrone star Declan Mc Crossan, who has missed recent matches due to injury, traveled back from his studies in London every weekend to lend his support. 

Late in the contest two points by Chris Kelly were a fitting finale to a great season for the men from Leckpatrick.
With a minute of injury time played, the referee blew his whistle to signal scenes of unprecedented joy for the players and supporters, on a score line of 1-16 to 0-4.   These scenes of celebrations were to continue late into the night in the Owen Roe’s Clubhouse.

Although the game may have been slightly one sided, it has to be added that seasons are won from April right through to November. Great credit must go to all the squad and the management team of Palor McNulty, Declan Bradley and Kimble Kelly. The year 2004 will herald Intermediate football in Glenmornan once more.

So what a year for Owen Roe’s!  Another trophy to add to an already impressive list which includes honours at Ulster Minor and Ulster Senior level, as well as a National Football League medal and an All-Ireland Senior Championship medal (courtesy of Brendan Boggs and Declan Mc Crossan). It’s going to be quite a display if all goes according to plan at the Club’s Dinner Dance on the 22nd November.

Owen Roes: Dylan Early, Paul Kelly, Aidan Christie, Willie Doherty (Captain), Kevin Doherty, Stevie Dooher, Noel Mullan, Chris Kelly (0-2), Paul Bradley, Mark O'Neill, Brendan Boggs (0-5), Sean Og Devine, Aidan McCrossan (1-3), Ronan Parker (0-5), Kiernan Kelly (0-1).

Subs: Stevie Kelly for Sean Og Devine (45), Gerard Kelly, Declan Mc Crossan, Andy Devine, Paddy Mc Nulty on for Aidan Mc Crossan, Kiernan Kelly, Dylan Early and Mark O' Neill.
Other Subs: James Mc Crossan, Stephen Mc Callion, Stephen Boyle, Eamon Mc Bride, Sean Mc Bride, Paul Phillips.  Former Captain Kevin Moore and Brendan MC Crossan were unable to play due to injury.  Malachy Gallagher, Sean Devine, Barry Porter and Mickey Kelly also featured during the season on the Senior team.

Final Div 3 Table 2004