Roe's Relief With Beragh Blitz

Owen Roes 0-14 Beragh 1-4

Owen Roes finally picked up their first win of their 2008 campaign on Sunday past as they returned from Beragh with two very well earned points in the opening round of the Joe McGarrity league cup. The Red Knights will point to the absence of Martin Rogers, and Michael Ward, however there will be little sympathy from an away side who have missed much of their experienced players in a season blighted by ill fortune.

It looked as if this ill fortune was going to continue on Sunday as the hosts bombed out of the blocks. With three minutes gone in the contest they had opened a 1-1 to no score lead.

Kevin O’Neill got his side on the board with a burst from wing back, added to by scores from Aidan McCrossan twice and Brendan Boggs. Chris Kelly added to the visitors tally to give them the lead just after the opening quarter.

Indeed it was all the away side at this point as the back unit of Cathal Dooher, Gerard Devine and Willie Doherty ensured Dylan Early had a quiet afternoon. McCrossan and Boggs both chalked off further scores to send the Leckpatrick side in at half time 0-7 to 1-1 ahead.

McCrossan got the opening white flag of the second half, as the O’Neills showed eager to bring the points down the road. However Beragh struck the next pair of scores to keep tabs on the visitors.

Kevin Moore pointed for the Green and Reds, and when Stephen Dooher replicated confidence soared in Gerard Porter’s outfit. Beragh clipped another one off with a quarter to go, but Owen Roes then scored the point of the game.

Willie Doherty collected on his on line, and set off the first in a series of passes that cut up the pitch. The interchange ending with Brendan Boggs converting.

Aidan McCrossan added points five and six to his personal tally as the visitors ran the clock down, and when late sub Ronan Parker split the sticks it was job done for the O’Neills.

This was a much more efficient performance for Owen Roes, and at last the players have got some tangible reward for the hard work over the last few weeks. However they too will know that there is still much development to be made, and still opportunities to improve. Next up is the second round of the league cup this Friday as Strabane visit Owen Roe’s temporary home in Dunamanagh.

Owen Roes: Dylan Early, Willie Doherty, Gerard Devine, Cathal Dooher, Kevin O'Neill (0-1), Stephen Dooher (0-1), Ryan Stewart, Brendan Boggs (0-3), Marcus McGinley, Aidan McCrossan (0-6), Mickey Dooher, Kevin Moore (0-1), Barry Porter, Chris Kelly (0-1), Stephen Boyle. Subs: John Harper for Porter, Kevin Doherty for Mickey Dooher, Ronan Parker (0-1) for Boyle, Clarke Stephenson for Kevin O'Neill.