Truagh win in thrilling encounter

August 26, 2008
Truagh 1-11 Rockcorry 1-9 If Truagh are to realise their championship ambitions and aspirations they will need to be somewhat more consistent than they were in this very entertaining if never thrilling encounter against Rockcorry in Clontibret on Saturday evening last. Truagh failed to score for the first 15 minutes but then went on to establish a foothold in the game with a goal by Niall McMeel after 23 minutes helping to bring them level for the first time. By half-time they had taken a one point lead and by the end of the third quarter they were four in front but in the final minutes they were clinging on desperately as a resurgent Rockcorry struck for an opportunist goal to keep the issue very nervous going into the final minutes. Truagh were forced to field without the services of Stephen Kelly and Daniel Finnegan as well as having Gary Meehan still on the injured list and the consequent reshuffle may have had some part to play in a very lethargic opening by the pre-match favourites. Rockcorry on the other hand opened brightly with the accuracy of Mark Daly giving them an early foothold as he thumped over a couple of long-range specials that helped settle the early nerves. Daly put in a fantastic effort in midfield for Rockcorry, his brother Keith working hard at centre back but the real success story of the Rockcorry defence was Noel Carroll whose forays into attack were a feature of this particular contest. Rockcorry needed Daly's accuracy as only one other starting forward got on the score sheet, Seamus Carroll with a point, before substitute Pauric Reilly came with a late goal that kept the issue in the balance and served as a sharp reminder to Truagh of how easily they were caught in their opening game against Corduff. Damien McRory at centre back worked hard for the winners as did Niall Coyle at wing halfback while Barry Cuddy and Bernard Treanor fought tenaciously to establish a foothold around midfield. Up front Noel Clerkin, Martin Owens and Mark Counihan posed the main scoring threat accounting for eight points of their total but they will know that a similarly faltering performance will not be sufficient going into the latter stages of this year's competition. When Truagh did get going they played some very good football and picked off some excellent scores mostly through the accuracy of Noel Clerkin and Martin Owens but at times they also contrived to cause trouble for themselves with a degree of over elaboration or players simply taking the wrong option. Rockcorry for their part were always in this contest but ultimately it was Truagh's greater penetration up front that secured their victory. Teams and Scorers: Truagh: Anthony Treanor, Niall Feely, Rory Treanor, Alan McKenna, Keith Sheerin 0-1 ('45), Damien McRory, Niall Coyle 0-1, Barry Cuddy 0-1, Bernard Treanor, John Treanor, Noel Clerkin 0-3, Kevin Treanor, Mark Counihan 0-2, Niall McMeel 1-0, Martin Owens 0-3. Subs: Justin Halligan for K Treanor, Martin Treanor for M Owens. Rockcorry: Ciaran O'Hart, Noel Carroll 0-1, Damien Matthews, Colin Quinn, Gary Calvert, Keith Daly, Stephen McGuirk, Mark Daly 0-7 (7f), Gary Thornton, Barry Patterson, Johnny Reilly, Niall McKeown, Seamus Carroll 0-1, Paul McKeown, Cormac McFadden. Subs: Pauric Reilly 1-0 for C McFadden. Referee: Brian Finnegan (Donaghmoyne).

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