Sigersons Take Derby Honours
Strabane 0-12 Owen Roes 0-4
The
ability to pick off scores in the face of a difficulty, swirling wind proved the
difference in this ACL clash on Sunday as Strabane ran out 8 point winners over
an Owen Roes side who pushed their opponents closer than the winning margin
would suggest.
Brendan
McLaughlin got the contests opening score with a 3rd minute chip,
with the visitors swiftly replying. Good work by Mickey Dooher gave Aidan
McCrossan the task of sending the dead ball over.
Dooher’s
work was again instrumental as he collaborated with Marcus McGinley to give
Brendan Boggs a score. JP Gallagher swallowed up a lose ball to level up, before
John McLaughlin’s left foot gave his side the lead.
A burst
forward by Stephen Stewart was the catalyst for Strabane’s next score as
Warner Mullen fly kicked over. Chris Devine swivelled and converted on 23
minutes as Strabane started to pull clear.
A set
piece from Aidan McCrossan narrowed the gap but Chris Devine, and Warner Mullen
ended the half with White flags as Sigerson’s ran in 0-7 to 0-3 to the good at
the break.
Warner
Mullen added to his tally with an early free, but it was all Owen Roes at this
stage. The forwards were not showing the accuracy that their opponents had shown
in period one as several chances were squandered.
Nonetheless
Owen Roes could’ve closed the gap significantly. Barry Porter was first to a
looping ball, and batted across an empty net. However there were no forwards
stealing in to take advantage. Mickey Dooher was then afforded a goal chance,
but he mis controlled at a crucial time and the chance was lost.
Gerard
McCrossan waltzed through to extend the lead, but the Owen Roes rearguard- with
Gerard Devine outstanding- was smothering the Strabane advances.
Strabane’s
next point had a manner of debate about it. A hanging ball was punched wide of
the sticks by John McLaughlin. However the ref had decreed that his effort had
split the posts after consulting the far sided umpire, much to the bemusement of
the crowd, and the chagrin of the Owen Roes back line.
The O’Neills back line continued to frustrate the Sigerson’s attack, but
Danny McBride converted a free late on. Chris Devine added to his tally with a
jinking run minutes later, and Brendan Boggs knocked over in injury time.
For
Strabane then, their quest to return to divisions 2 continues. For Owen Roes
though the frustration goes on. However if they produce performances like this
every week surely a win is not far away.
The
Strabane team and scorers were: James O'Reilly, Stephen Stewart, Danny McBride
(0-1), Kieran O'Kane, Sean Barkley, Martin McNulty, Ryan O'Kane, Gerard
McCrossan (0-1) and Richard O'Neill, John-Paul Gallagher (0-1), Warner Mullen
(0-3), Fergal McGavigan, Brendan McLaughlin (0-1), John McLaughlin (0-2), Chris
Devine (0-3).
Substitutes:
Kyle Devine for Richard O'Neill, Sean Ferry for Warner Mullen, Gerard Murray for
Fergal McGavigan, Anthony McMenamin for Kyle Devine, Aaron McLaughlin for
Brendan McLaughlin.
Owen
Roes: Dylan Early, Eamon McBride, Kevin Moore, Paul Kelly, Gerard Devine, Chris
Kelly, Ryan Stewart, Brendan Boggs (0-2), Marcus McGinley, Kevin O’Donnell,
Kevin O’Neill, Mickey Dooher, Barry Porter, Aidan McCrossan (0-2), Mark
O’Neill. Subs: Cathal Dooher for O’Neill (30 mins), Ryan Logue for Mickey
Dooher (46 mins), Mark O’Neill for Porter (49 mins), John Harper and Conor
McCay for Moore and McBride (51 mins)