Bright Start in Vain for O'Neill's

Owen Roes 1-10 Strabane 1-15

Dunamanagh looked like it was going to prove a happy home from home for Owen Roes on Friday as they took on neighbours Strabane in round two of the Joe McGarrity league cup. However despite an early goal and a point, it was Strabane who traveled home with the spoils.

As stated Owen Roes could not have had a better start. Brendan Boggs converting in the opening minute, before Kevin Moore's flighted ball found Barry Porter at the back stick to punch past the helpless James O'Reilly. Strabane though roared back into it and Warner Mullan got the first of his eight scores almost immediately. The Sigersons struck three times more to level up after a whirlwind opening ten minutes.

Stephen Boyle fed Kevin O'Neill to clip over, but this was as good as it got for the home side. Strabane equalized almost immediately before their captain Martin McNulty riffled a shot past Dylan Early in goals. Owen Roes heads went down after this, and despite a Willie Doherty free, Strabane closed out the half with seven points- a Fergal McGavigan the pick of them.

Strabane got the second period's opening score, but credit to Owen Roes who picked themselves up to bounce back. Mickey Dooher was having an excellent game, belying his years, and he earned Brendan Boggs an easy free. Boggs from a dead ball again converted before sub Kiernan Kelly- whose movement was causing Strabane problems- knocked over.

Stephen Boyle's right foot chalked a well taken score, and when sub Kelly converted a free Owen Roes were sniffing a comeback. However Strabane found their feet once more, and split the posts twice to seal the points. Indeed they could've had a goal only for some smart defending by Paul Kelly.

Brendan Boggs and Mark O'Neill added to the Owen Roes tally, but Strabane were home and hosed at this stage. The defeat was compounded by a late, nasty injury to Kevin O'Neill who dislocated his shoulder in an accidental collision.

Owen Roes would like to wish Kevin a swift recovery and express our thanks to the Strabane players and mentors who aided at the scene.

Owen Roes: Dylan Early, Kevin Doherty, Gerard Devine, Cathal Dooher, Kevin O'Neill (0-1), Stephen Dooher, Ryan Stewart, Brendan Boggs (0-4), Marcus McGinley, Kevin Moore, Barry Porter (1-0), Mickey Dooher, Willie Doherty (0-1), Chris Kelly, Stephen Boyle (0-1). Subs: Paul Kelly for Stewart, Kiernan Kelly (0-2) for Kevin Moore, Mark O'Neill (0-1) for Porter, Kevin O'Donnell for Stephen Dooher, Gerard McShane for Kevin O'Neill.

Strabane: James O'Reilly, Aaron McLaughlin, Ciaran Friel, Kieran O'Kane, Stephen Stewart (0-1), Sean Barkley, Ryan O'Kane, Kyle Devine and Gerard McCrossan, John-Paul Gallagher (0-1), Warner Mullen (0-8), Sean Ferry, Fergal McGavigan (0-2), Martin McNulty (1-2), Gerard Murray (0-1).

Substitutes: David Taylor for Gerard McCrossan, Sean Arbuckle for Kyle Devine, Eoghan Kerr for Sean Barkley, Conor McGrath for Sean Ferry, Kyle Devine for Stephen Stewart.

Ref: Fergal Daly (Gortin)