Lotto Results Monday 27th September
The numbers drawn last Monday night were 1, 12, 13, and 23. There was no jackpot winner of €4,000.00 and the following people won €15 each :
Andrew Grennan, Scotshouse
Sonya & Aaron McGorman, Aghabog
Tommy Reilly, Newbliss
Carroll Family, Rockcorry
Eileen & Ann, Rockcorry
Seamus Nulty, Cootehill
Colin Reilly, Dartrey
Frank McFadden, Rockcorry
Next week our jackpot will be €4,100.00 and the draw will take place in the Maple Bar at 10.30pm sharp. Thank you for supporting our Top 4 lotto draw.
Club Notes 28th September
Seniors Back on the Winning Track
We erased the memory of a poor midweek performance last week by getting back on the winning track when we overcame Eire Og last Sunday morning. The game played at Scotstown in perfect conditions was fairly evenly contested during the first half and at the break we had a one point advantage 0-4 to 0-5. On the restart, we emerged the fresher and hungrier side and began to stamp our authority on the game and when we notched up an impressive six points in just eight minutes the game decisively swung in our favour. Eire Og battled hard till the end of the game and managed to close the deficit to three points but their revival was short-lived as we responded positively to fire over two more points to secure the win on a score-line Eire Og 0-8 Rockcorry 0-13 but more importantly we collect the two vital league points to keep us in the running for a qualifying spot. With very little separating the sides it is important that we keep the momentum going as we enter the final stages of the competition. Keep up the good work lads.
Intermediate Football Fixtures
Our next game in the league is a home game against Aughnamullen on Saturday 9th October with a throw-in time of 4.00pm.
Top 4 Lotto Results
The numbers drawn last Monday night were 1, 12, 13, and 23. There was no jackpot winner of €4,000.00 and the following people won €15 each : Andrew Grennan Scotshouse, Sonya & Aaron McGorman Aghabog, Tommy Reilly Newbliss, Carroll Family Rockcorry, Eileen & Ann Rockcorry, Seamus Nulty Cootehill, Colin Reilly Dartrey and Frank McFadden Rockcorry. Next week our jackpot will be €4,100.00 and the draw will take place in the Maple Bar at 10.30pm sharp. Thank you for supporting our Top 4 lotto draw.
Wedding Bliss
Congratulations to Eimear Fitzpatrick and Ronan McKenna who got married last Saturday. We wish you many years of health and happiness together.
Eire Og 0-8 Rockcorry 0-13
Round 16 – Streamline Coaches Intermediate Football League – Sunday 26th September
Senior team get back on the winning track
Team: Jamie Smith, Colin Reilly, Damien Matthews, Garry Calvert, Keith Daly, Niall McKeown 0-1, Stephen McGuirk, Barry Patterson, Mark Daly 0-7, Keelan Clerkin 0-1, Martin Carroll, Noel Carroll 0-1, Mark McGuirk, Liam Connolly, Colin Quinn 0-2. Subs: Paul McKeown 0-1 for Martin Carroll
We erased the memory of a poor performance against Inniskeen by getting back on the winning track when we recorded a valuable win over Eire Og on Sunday 26th September. With three teams competing for the last two qualifying positions it was vital for us to get a win and the lads achieved that with a five point winning margin that leaves us on the same points as Inniskeen and the issue now will be determined by the results of our last two league games against Aughnamullen and Currin. The game was played at Scotstown in perfect conditions and there was very little between the sides during the first half with one side eking out a slender lead only for the other to cancel it out and this trend continued for the entirety of the first half. Mark Daly went close to scoring our first point but his effort on the 1st minute drifted wide. Shortly afterwards, Colin Quinn’s persistence and dogged aggression earned him a shot at goals but it was saved by the Eire Og goal-keeper. Colin was in the thick of the action seconds later when we were back on the attack and while he found some space on the left wing his attempt was off-target. We got off the mark moments later when Martin Carroll gathered the breaking ball and he off-loaded to Mark Daly who set-up Keelan Clerkin and he slotted over to raise the first white flag of the day.
Martin Carroll collects the breaking ball and off-loads to Mark Daly
On the 7th minute, Colin Quinn and Liam Connolly prevented an Eire Og defender from getting out easy and they were rewarded with a free-kick but Stephen McGuirk’s attempt at the uprights was wide. Good defending by Garry Calvert and Damien Matthews on the 9th minute foiled an Eire Og attack but with some careless passing we were guilty of losing possession and Eire Og hoofed a hopeful ball into our goal-mouth but Stephen McGuirk was up for the task as he collected and cleared the danger. Eire Og opened their account on the 11th minute with a fine point from play and moments later they launched another attack but Damien Matthews, now back wearing the Nr. 3 jersey after a sojourn at Nr. 14, showed he lost none of his defensive alertness as he closed down the opposition in most emphatic style and shepherded his opponent over the end-line.
Stephen McGuirk has the ball firmly in his grasp as he attempts to clear his line.
Barry Patterson was fouled on the 13th minute and Mark Daly converted the free-kick to take the lead but Eire Og were back on level terms a couple of minutes later when they pointed a free-kick after Garry Calvert fouled his opponent. Eire Og missed two scoring opportunities on the 17th and 20th minutes but they did take the lead a minute later with a majestic long range point. Thankfully, that lead didn’t last too long as we replied in true fashion as Mark Daly won the kick-out and he delivered a long ball into Colin Quinn whose low-trajectory shot whizzed over the bar via the outstretched fingertips of the Eire Og goal-keeper to draw the sides level on 0-3 apiece.
Barry Patterson rises high in his bid to win the ball.
We quickly regained the upper hand and when Mark McGuirk was dragged down Mark Daly sailed over a free-kick via the upright but Eire Og equalized on the 27th minute with a neat point from play. Martin Carroll did well to win the ball right on the sideline and he fed a long ball into Mark McGuirk but he was quickly closed down and the ball went over the end-line for a forty-five and the resultant kick was kicked wide by Mark Daly. On the 29th minute, Colin Quinn won the dirty ball and he teed-up Mark Daly who fired over a sweet point to restore a one point advantage and the score-board at the break showed Eire Og 0-4 Rockcorry 0-5.
Damien Matthews bursts through the challenges to clear his defence
Whatever team management said during the interval certainly had the desired effect as on the restart we emerged the fresher and hungrier side and began to stamp our authority on the game and when we notched up an impressive six points in just eight minutes the game decisively swung in our favour. Noel Carroll kicked started the blitzkrieg after forty seconds when he collected a pass from Niall McKeown and bisected the uprights with a delightful strike. Eire Og replied when they converted a free-kick after Colin Reilly brought down his opponent but we then scored five unanswered points to put some daylight between the sides. Mark Daly finished in style on the 3rd minute after an intricate buildup involving Keith Daly, Barry Patterson and Noel Carroll.
Colin Reilly carries the ball out of defence
Good work by Keith Daly and Noel Carroll a minute later was rewarded with a free-kick and when the ball was delivered into Mark McGuirk he was dragged down and Mark Daly split the posts with a glorious free. The ensuing kick-out was broken down by Niall McKeown and when Noel Carroll gathered he soloed towards goals and off-loaded to the on-rushing Mark Daly who was fouled and after composing himself he tapped over a simple free to open up a four point gap. On the 7th minute Niall McKeown galloped forward and when he collected a pass from Martin Carroll he got his name on the score-sheet with a sweet score from twenty-five metres. Mark Daly completed the blitz when he notched over another free-kick to leave the score 0-5 to 0-11. A couple of minutes later Liam Connolly had a wonderful opportunity to increase our advantage but his effort went wide via the upright after a well-engineered move including Damien Matthews, Niall McKeown, Barry Patterson and Martin Carroll.
Niall McKeown is tackled by his opponent
On the 12th minute Damien Matthews was guilty off fouling his opponent but the free-kick lacked power and Jamie Smith easily collected and cleared his lines. Moments later Keith Daly looked to be fouled but amazingly the referee awarded a free to Eire Og and after a discussion the decision stood and they duly converted to narrow the deficit. Eire Og missed scoring opportunity on the 14th minute and following another attack a minute later, after some initial uncertainly as to the validity of a point, the referee correctly signaled a wide, as the ball clearly hit the outside of the upright.
Garry Calvert keeps tags on his opponent
However, they closed the gap to four points on the 17th minute after they pointed a free-kick and when Niall McKeown was penalized for over carrying moments later they failed to close the deficit further when they kicked wide. Eire Og added another point from a free-kick on the 22nd minute to leave 0-3 points separating the sides and at this stage there were some tense and nail biting moments particularly when Eire Og launched a high ball into our danger area but Jamie Smith and / or Garry Calvert punched the ball clear.
Colin Quinn goes past two defenders and off-loads to Noel Carroll
Stephen McGuirk should’ve have extended our lead but he failed to slot over a free-kick after Barry Patterson was fouled on the 25th minute but a couple of minutes later Colin Quinn notched over the insurance point following good approach play by Keith Daly and Noel Carroll to leave four points separating the sides. Colin thought he had registered his third point of the game but while his shot appeared to go between the posts, as indicated by the umpire Seamus Tate, the referee disallowed the score as he waved it wide. However, there was no denying our next score which came from the boot of Paul McKeown who was introduced for Martin Carroll as he showed great skill and trickery prior to firing over a sweet point to complete the scoring and the final score Eire Og 0-8 Rockcorry 0-13.
Mark Daly braces for impact with the incoming challenge
Inniskeen 1-13 Rockcorry 0-10
Streamline Coaches Intermediate Football League, Round 15 – Thursday 16th September
Another bad day for senior team
Team: Jamie Smith, Colin Reilly, Niall McKeown, Garry Calvert, Noel Carroll, Keith Daly, Stephen McGuirk 0-3, Liam Connolly 0-1, Mark Daly 0-3, Keelan Clerkin 0-1, Barry Patterson, Paul McKeown, Mark McGuirk 0-1, Damien Matthews and Dwayne Rooney 0-1. Subs: Martin Carroll for Liam Connolly, Colin Quinn for Barry Patterson.
There’s an old saying ‘what a difference a week makes’ but on this occasion it was ‘what a difference a couple of days makes’ as we travelled back to Grattan Park, on Thursday 16th September, full of optimism, confidence and a feel-good factor after our reserve team produced an emphatic victory over a gallant Toome side the previous Tuesday evening and we were hoping this oomph would be passed on to our senior team as they tried to get back on the winning track. However, things did not go our way and our mood quickly turned into depression as our senior team picked the wrong time and place to produce a very lacklustre and uninspired performance and lost out on a score-line Inniskeen 1-13 Rockcorry 0-10. The intriguing aspect of this game was that we knew a victory would move us one step closer to a semi-final position and also put some daylight between us and Inniskeen in the league table. As a result the stakes were high and games of this nature tend to be described as “four pointers” but our performance did not reflect this as more often our play was rather infrequent, sporadic and played at a pedestrian pace and unfortunately the occasion required a greater intensity level. Inniskeen, on the other hand, showed the greater resilience and appetite and were far sharper in their attacking play and were full value for their six point win.
There was very little separating the sides in the opening exchanges and Inniskeen were first to open the scoring with just forty-five seconds gone with a move down the left wing that ended with a neat point. A minute later Niall McKeown foiled an Inniskeen attack that began a counter-attack and when Mark McGuirk was fouled Mark Daly’s free kick attempt was off-target. Stephen McGuirk registered our first score on the 3rd minute with a splendid point and this was soon followed by an effort by Keelan Clerkin but it fell short and the ball was cleared but we won back possession and when Paul McKeown collected his effort at the uprights drifted wide. On the 5th minute Liam Connolly directed a pass into Barry Patterson but it was too strong and it went over the endline.
Inniskeen regained the lead shortly afterwards when they pointed from play but moments later Noel Carroll made a piercing solo run and an inch-perfect pass teed-up Keelan Clerkin who finished in style to draw the sides level. On the 7th minute, Inniskeen restored a one point advantage when they pointed from a free-kick after Colin Reilly fouled his opponent but that lead didn’t last too long and it was all square again on the 9th minute when Mark Daly scored a fantastic point. Ironically we took the lead, on the 10th minute, after Liam Connolly notched over a superb point following a fine-flowing move involving Noel Carroll, Stephen McGuirk, Dwayne Rooney and Keelan Clerkin. However, just when it looked like we were holding our own Inniskeen hit back in superb fashion when they equalised a minute later and forty-five seconds later they were awarded a penalty after Niall McKeown was deemed to have fouled his opponent and the resultant spot kick was converted. This score seemed to spark Inniskeen into life as they grew in confidence and they underlined their superiority when they edged further ahead on the 17th and 19th minutes to leave the score 1-6 to 0-4. Mark Daly kicked wide on the 20th minute but when Mark McGuirk was hauled down shortly afterwards Stephen McGuirk curled over a lovely free-kick to leave four points separating the sides.
A dangerous cross from the right wing into our danger area enticed Jamie Smith out of his goal area and he fielded superbly to clear his lines. Noel Carroll kicked wide on the 23rd minute and a minute later we pumped in a high ball into the square but the Inniskeen defence were on top as they won possession and the attack led to nothing. Inniskeen missed scoring opportunities on the 25th and 26th minutes before the Mark McGuirk narrowed the deficit when he fired between the uprights. Inniskeen stretched their advantage when they pointed on the 27th minute and they thought they had registered their second goal of the game when their full forward rifled to the net but the referee had blown his whistle for an earlier infringement and they were awarded a penalty which they blasted high and over the bar to open up a five point cushion at the interval leading 1-8 to 0-6.
The main talking point at half time was the result a foregone conclusion? Unless we could find some inspiration from someone or somewhere as we needed a good solid start to the second half if we wanted to get back into the game. Unfortunately, we were subjected to more of the same one-paced football and while Colin Reilly surged forward to get the revival going he was eventually brought down on the thirteen metre line but Mark Daly kicked a poor wide from what seemed to be a routine free. Inniskeen, on the other hand, converted a free-kick a minute later to increase their lead and this was added to shortly afterwards when we were guilty of some careless passing and they took full advantage and notched over another point. Mark Daly did pull one back but our accuracy at shooting continued to let us down as Noel Carroll kicked wide a minute later before Inniskeen slotted over another point to make it 1-11 to 0-7. It was all Inniskeen at this period and while they missed scoring opportunities on the 7th and 8th minutes they did manage to score two quick-fire points on the 11th and 12th minutes to open up an unassailable nine point gap and the writing was on the wall at this stage as we looked a beaten side!
We did enjoy a brief period where we managed to match our opponents but while we continued to launch a number of attacks our over elaboration and wastefulness continued as we found the Inniskeen defence difficult to break down and more often our attacks led to nothing. Dwayne Rooney did manage to raise the white flag when he fired over a point on the 15th minute and five minutes elapsed before another score was registered and it came from the boot of Stephen McGuirk who converted a free-kick on the 20th minute. A minute later Inniskeen sauntered their way through our defence for a glorious goal chance but fabulous defending by Damien Matthews as he produced a great block to divert the ball for a forty-five which was kicked wide. A minute later Inniskeen kicked another wide before an attempt by Noel Carroll fell short and into the goal-keepers hands. Colin Quinn who was introduced to the game collected a pass in the left corner but support was slow to arrive and the ball was cleared. When Mark McGuirk was fouled, on the 29th minute, Mark Daly tapped over a consolation point to leave the final score Inniskeen 1-13 Rockcorry 0-10.
On reflection, there was little for those sporting green & white colours in the terraces to get excited about and with the last number of performances being of a somewhat poor nature we have left quite a task on ourselves and if we are to advanced to the last four of the league campaign then we will have to improve against Eire Og.
Rockcorry 0-11 Toome 0-8 (Reserve Final)
Reserve Football League Final – Tuesday 14th September
Rock grind out victory to claim division 4 league title
Team: Jamie Smith, Cathal Sheridan 0-1, Rory Carroll, Pauric Reilly, Ryan Sharkey 0-1, Colin Reilly, Colin Quinn, Barry Patterson, Liam Connolly 0-2, Keelan Clerkin 0-1, Martin Carroll 0-1, Conor McGeough, Shane Wynne, Mark McGuirk 0-5, and Anthony Tate. Subs: John Greenan for Cathal Sheridan (injured), Declan McCullagh for Anthony Tate
There’s an old saying ‘no bottle – no milk’ and in this case it was the ‘bottle’ of our reserve team as a unit that claimed the Monaghan Electric division 4 league title when they overcame a gallant Toome side on a scoreline 0-11 to 0-8. Hunger is a word often used to describe a team’s keenness and on this occasion our lads showed that they were starving, as the passion, the fire in their bellies, drove them on in this contest as they left absolutely every ounce of energy on the field and when the final whistle sounded it was very evident by the scenes of jubilation and celebration what this win meant to the players, officials and supporters because a fourteen year margin since our last triumph is a long time and Coiln Reilly now joins a privileged group of individuals that includes Pascal Smyth (1982), Nicky Calvert (1993) and Kieran McCormill (1996) that have all one thing in common, they have been captains of a Rockcorry team that have had the honour to accept a trophy on behalf of their teammates.
The game was played at Grattan Park, Inniskeen on Tuesday 14th September and while heavy rain and windy conditions threatened to ruin the game but both sides battled the elements and each other at a frantic pace to gain the early advantage and we were first to open the scoring with just one minute gone as a good move involving Martin Carroll and Ryan Sharkey ended with Mark McGuirk converting a free-kick. Toome responded immediately when they pointed a free-kick but we regained the lead on the 6th minute when Liam Connolly fired over a lovely point after a fine move down the field. Good defending by Pauric Reilly a minute later resulted in a sideline ball and after a patient build-up the ball arrived to Keelan Clerkin but his effort at the upright was off-target. Cathal Sheridan thwarted a Toome attack, on the 9th minute, that instigated a well engineered move down the field and when Mark McGuirk was brought down Colin Quinn’s free-kick attempt drifted to the right and wide. We were very fortunate on the 11th minute when Toome launched a long delivery into our danger area and with the windy conditions it deceived Rory Carroll and the full forward was one-on-one with our goal-keeper but Jamie Smith showed quick reactions to put him off and he kicked it wide. Shane Wynne coped admirably when he foiled a Toome attack but shortly afterwards when they made another charge up the field the referee signaled a free for something only he saw, after it appeared that Ryan Sharkey made a perfectly good tackle, but the decision stood and they tapped over to make it 0-2 apiece.
On the 13th minute Toome burst through our defence and had another goal opportunity but the effort lacked power as Jamie Smith easily collected and kick-started a counter-attack that yielded a score after Mark McGuirk was dragged down and he was left with the simple task of tapping over to restore a one point lead. Both teams missed opportunities during the next couple of minutes with Toome kicking wide on the 17th and 18th minutes and a couple of minutes later an effort by Keelan Clerkin fell short and was cleared. Barry Patterson shipped a very heavy tackle along the sideline, on the 21st minute, that created a flowing move down the field and when Martin Carroll found himself in an attacking overlap position we thought our opening goal was on its way, but he fluffed his shot and the ball was cleared. However, moments later he made amends for his earlier miss when he dodged a couple of defenders, before neatly side-stepping to notch over a sweet point to extend our lead 0-4 to 0-2. Toome kicked wide on the 24th minute and two minutes later when Conor McGeough was brought down the resulting free-kick fell short. At this stage we hit a mini purple patch as we scored three unanswered points to open up a five point lead. The first score came from the boot of Mark McGuirk after he was fouled along the sideline but for dissent it was brought forward to a more scoreable position and he chipped the ball over the bar. The second arrived a minute later when Martin Carroll collected the ball from the kick-out and set-up Liam Connolly who bisected the posts with a splendid score and when Colin Reilly intercepted a pass he delivered an accurate pass up to Conor McGeough who teed up Ryan Sharkey for a sweet point to establish a commanding 0-7 to 0-2 lead at the break.
We started the second half the way we finished the first and within thirty seconds we stretched our advantage when Keelan Clerkin fielded spectacularly in front of goals and he set-up Mark McGuirk who fired over. One of the loudest cheers of the evening came moments later when Cathal Sheridan found himself in unfamiliar territory, as he made a burst forward, and when he collected the pass from Martin Carroll he finished in style. Colin Quinn was harshly penalized for a hand pass on the 3rd minute and Toome scored from the resulting free-kick. Barry Patterson kicked wide on the 6th minute and Toome closed the gap moments later when they pointed another free-kick. The pace died down a little and five minutes elapsed before the next score was registered when Keelan Clerkin weaved his way through the Toome defence and slotted over the bar a fine point to restore a six point advantage. The ensuing kick-out was broken down by Martin Carroll and Barry Patterson showed more eagerness to win the loose ball and when he delivered a measured pass out to Liam Connolly on the left wing he was pulled down and Mark McGuirk struck over a superb free-kick from the dead ball position to make it 0-11 to 0-4.
Amazingly, this would be our last score as Toome rallied and dominated the final quarter of the game but despite their best efforts they could not penetrate our “Rock Solid” defence. This was exemplified, on the 13th minute, when Pauric Reilly halted a Toome attack and cleared the danger. Shortly afterwards Toome were awarded a free-kick and their effort drifted narrowly wide but they did manage to narrow the gap when they converted a free-kick on the 16th minute to leave six points separating the sides. A couple of minutes later Barry Patterson, who put in a lot of hard work during the course of the game, dropped back to support his defence and he was alert to the danger and made a vital interception to clear his lines and after a patient buildup Anthony Tate collected and delivered a pin-point pass across to Mark McGuirk but on this occasion his effort was off-target. John Greenan was introduced to the game for Cathal Sheridan who retired injured (and slightly knackered!!!) as he ran himself into the ground and gave a powerful performance.
With the game approaching the final five minutes things were getting edgy and every time Toome got the ball close to our danger area there were heart stopping moments but our defence proved impenetrable with with Pauric Reilly, Colin Reilly, Rory Carroll and Barry Patterson all making a number of sterling tackles to foil the Toome attacks but they did manage to reduce the gap when they scored a neat point on the 27th minute to make it 0-11 to 0-6. With five points separating the sides we knew that once we didn’t concede a goal we would be save and the lads remained calm and with some stern defending did not allow them through for goal opportunity and they had to settle for another pointed free on the 29th minute to leave the margin four points. As the game entered injury time Toome went on the attack and just when it looked like the opportunity had passed, as we thought the Toome forward had taken too much out of the ball, the referee deemed he was fouled and awarded a free-kick and they delivered a high looping ball that just dropped over the bar and when the final whistle sounded, seconds later, it sparked off jubilant scenes, and some emotional ones too, as we secured victory and the inscription “ 2010 Rockcorry” will be etched into the history books forever. Despite a late surge from Toome the damage had already been done as a blistering five minute spell either side of the break sent us on our way to a fabulous victory. It’s unfair to pick out any one individual display for merit as the whole team was excellent. This was an ultimate team effort from number one to fifteen who started and those that came on. Everyone played for each other and this was reflected by the result. Fair-play to the management team of Anthony Tate, Pauric Carroll and Garry Calvert who deserve enormous credit for the work they did with the lads.
Colin Reilly receives the Division 4 League Cup from Siobhan McQuillan, County Board PRO.
Rockcorry Team 2010 - League Winners
Rockcorry 0-8 Tyholland 1-12
McGuigan Builders Intermediate Football Championship – Sunday 5th September – Semi-Final
Rock play second fiddle
Team: Jamie Smith, Colin Reilly, Niall McKeown, Garry Calvert, Keelan Clerkin, Keith Daly, Stephen McGuirk 0-2, Barry Patterson, Mark Daly 0-5, Noel Carroll, Martin Carroll, Liam Connolly, Mark McGuirk, Damien Matthews, and Paul McKeown 0-1. Subs: Dwayne Rooney for Martin Carroll
When the sides met a couple of weeks ago in the league campaign Tyholland won by two points and on the day we felt we did not give a good account of ourselves and if we were to have any chance of beating them we needed to come out with all guns blazing or in this case all shooting boots firing! But last Saturday evening when we travelled to Emyvale to meet Tyholland in the semi-final of the the McGuigan Builders Intermediate football championship there was no debating who the better team was on the day as we played second fiddle to a more speedier and slicker Tyholland side as we offered very little to the game and exited the competition, very tamely it must be said, on a score-line Rockcorry 0-8 Tyholland 1-12. While seven points may have been the difference on the scoreboard, in truth it should have been a wider margin had Tyholland been more accurate in their point taking and for the most part they were the hungrier side and the movement and speed of play shown by them was simply too much for us as they battled for every ball and put us under pressure for possession forcing us to make silly mistakes and sloppy passing. The harsh truth we were simply second best and only a couple of players could walk off the field after giving everything for the cause.
Both sides missed chances in the opening minutes with Tyholland having the first opportunity to register a score but they kicked wide on the 2nd minute and moments later Liam Connolly kicked wide following good approach play by Martin Carroll, Noel Carroll and Keelan Clerkin. Tyholland got the scoring underway shortly afterwards when the corner forward collected a long delivery after Garry Calvert lost his footing at a vital moment and he rounded our goal-keeper Jamie Smith and he was left with the simple task of finishing the ball to the empty net to give them the perfect start. Paul McKeown had a scoring opportunity a minute later but his effort lacked power and fell short into the goal-keeper hands and the danger was cleared. When Mark Daly was pulled down on the 6th minute he delivered a pass into Mark McGuirk but he was penalized for over-carrying and Tyholland launched an immediate counter-attacked and Noel Carroll was on hand to break the attack down and as he attempted to clear his defence he was fouled.We opened our account on the 7th minute when Mark Daly converted a free-kick following a foul on Paul McKeown and a couple of minutes later we reduced the gap to a single point when Noel Carroll collected the breaking ball and delivered an accurate pass into Keelan Clerkin and he off-loaded to Mark Daly who fired over and a couple of minutes later we were on level terms when Paul McKeown bisected the posts with a lovely score. However, Tyholland replied instantly to retake the lead and they increased their advantage two minutes later when they notched over another neat score to leave the score Rockcorry 0-3 Tyholland 1-2.
The ensuing kick-out was won by Tyholland and Keelan Clerkin brought down his opponent and the resulting free-kick was off-target. At this stage, there was a stop in play to allow a Tyholland player receive treatment for a knee injury but he was not able to continue and had to retire from the game.On the 19th minute Garry Calvert didn’t let his earlier slip disturb his concentration as he broke down a Tyholland attack and when Paul McKeown was hauled down on the twenty-one metre line Mark Daly stepped up and tapped over the free to make it 0-4 to 1-2. A sweeping move, on the 23rd minute, was penalized when Noel Carroll was adjudged to slightly push his opponent in the back and Tyholland broke down the field at pace and their effort at the uprights drifted wide. When Liam Connolly was fouled on the 28th minute Mark Daly delivered a long ball into Damien Matthews but he was not able to keep possession and Tyholland with an excellent move down the field doubled their lead with a neat point. Mark Daly kicked wide a minute later following good approach play by Keelan Clerkin and Liam Connolly and Tyholland hit the upright on the 30th minute before Stephen McGuirk rifled over a superb point on the 31st minute after good work by Noel Carroll. However, whenever they sensed danger they seemed to reassert their superiority as they respondedimmediately to restore a two point advantage going in at the interval with the score-board reading: Rockcorry 0-5 Tyholland 1-4.
Tyholland certainly appeared to be more focused after the restart and one wonders what our team management said to our lads during those fifteen minutes or so because it didn’t work to spur on the players as we resembled a boxer punching drunk as we had no answer to the Tyholland onslaught as wave after wave of white and red attacks followed and they quickly established a six point cushion by the 12th minute and it was a case of not who was going to win, but how much Tyholland would win by? Thankfully, we gradually crept into the game when team management decided to change things around moving Damien Matthews back to his more accustomed surroundings at full back with Niall McKeown moving to midfield, where we were struggled for long periods, and we started to enjoy a brief period where we managed to match our opponents during which time we scored three unanswered points to reduce the deficit to three points. The first arriving on the 14th minute, when Mark Daly converted a free-kick following a powerful solo run through the heart of the Tyholland defence by Niall McKeown that ended when he was pulled down on the thirteen metre line. The second came a minute later when Paul McKeown was fouled and Stephen McGuirk curled over a lovely point and when Mark McGuirk was dragged down shortly afterwards Mark Daly wrapped up our scoring on the 18th minute as we went the final fifteen minutes without a score. The momentum seemed to have swung back in our favour and one wonders if these changes had been made earlier, what if? However, that sentiment soon vanished, instead of giving us the impetus these scores sparked Tyholland into life as they stepped it up once more and with further scores on the 19th and 20th minutes they quickly regained a five point lead.
Our championship hopes were now hanging by a thread and we pressed hard for that elusive goal that might have given us a serious lifeline in this match and it looked as if Barry Patterson had worked his way into a goal scoring position after receiving a pass from Dwayne Rooney but we failed to seize the opportunity as his effort was saved and our hopes of salvaging something from the game faded. Noel Carroll, who was a doubtful starter, produced a workmanlike performance and did extremely well to track back and disposes a Tyholland attacker on the 23rd minute and Damien Matthews showed more confidence in his usual position when making a number of interceptions on the 24th and 26th minutes. When Noel Carroll was fouled on the 27th minute, Mark Daly’s attempt at the uprights was off target which summed up our evening! Tyholland extended their lead on the 29th minute with a neat point and the final nail in our coffin arrived two minutes into added time when they added another point to leave the final score Rockcorry 0-8 Tyholland 1-12.
In the end Tyholland held too many aces and now progress to the intermediate football championship final and we wish them the best of luck. I suppose the most disappointing and surprising aspect of the game was how much fire, determination and spirit we lacked over the hour. We appeared distinctly one-paced compared to a well drilled, far fitter and slicker Tyholland side. Although we had our share of possession we found it difficult to break through the Tyholland defence with numerous attacks breaking down at vital moments. Three points all from frees, was all we had to show for our efforts in the second half such was the dominance of the Tyholland side and at this level that it is not good enough. The gamble on switching Damien Matthews from full back to full forward backfired and the question on many people’s lip is had the team been lined out differently would the result be different? I guess we will never know! The harsh truth is we were outplayed by a better organised team and if we learn one thing from this game, at least we now know what level the bar is set. This is the level we need to work towards and a lot of hard work and sacrifices will need to be made, in a short space of time, in order to reach that level.
Another Bad Day for Seniors!
After the wonderful performance of our reserve team last Tuesday evening we travelled back to Grattan Park on Thursday 17th September knowing that a victory would move us one step closer to a semi-final position and also put some daylight between us and Inniskeen in the league. However, things did not go our way and our “feelgood” factor quickly changed into misery as our senior team picked the wrong time and place to produce a lifeless, uninspired performance and ended up losing on a score-line Inniskeen 1-13 Rockcorry 0-10.
It is fair to say that we will have to up our performance a couple of notches before we play our last three league games. To date the lads have shown they are more than capable of securing a top four position but our performances of late have been somewhat iffy and we need to rediscover our earlier form before we clash against Eire Og on Sunday 26th September. So, to paraphrase the lyrics of a well known Eminem song, “will the real Rock team, please stand up, please stand up!
Zippity-Do-Dah-Day
On Tuesday 14th September we claimed our fifth ever title, in a county board competition, when our reserve team showed true girt to grind out a victory in windy and slippery conditions. Hunger is a word often used to describe a teams keenness and on this occasion our lads showed that they needed to eat very badly as the passion, the fire in their bellies, drove them on in this contest as they left absolutely every ounce of energy on the field and when the final whistle sounded there were scenes of jubilation and celebration, along with some emotional tears, as we claimed the Monaghan Electric Reserve League Division 4 title on a score-line Rockcorry 0-11 Toome 0-8
Colin Reilly receives the Division 4 League Cup from County Board PRO Siobhan McQuillan
After waiting fourteen years since our last victory team captain Colin Reilly joins the likes of Pascal Smyth (1982), Nicky Calvert (1993) and Kieran McCormill (1996) as previous captains that have had the honour to accept a trophy on behalf his teammates. Fairplay to the management team of Anthony Tate, Pauric Carroll and Garry Calvert who deserve enormous credit for the work they did with the lads and hopefully this win will give our senior team the inspiration and enthusiasm when completing their remaining games in the league.
Rockcorry Reserve Team - Division 4 League Winners
WELL DONE LADS.
COME ON ROCK.
Midfield Duo...Liam Connolly & Barry Patterson
Thou Shall Not Pass Half Back Line...Ryan Sharkey, Colin Quinn, Colin Reilly and Shane Wynne.
Tigerish Defenders...Cathal Sheridan & Shane Wynne
Mr. Clean Sheet...Jamie Smith with Liam Connolly
Clerkin Family...Araon, Anthony & Keelan enjoying the craic after the game.
Player Manager Anthony Tate with his dad Seamus.
Reilly Bros...Pauric & Colin
Young Guns...Conor McGeough, Keelan Clerkin, Fergal McGeough & Aaron Clerkin.
Seamus Tate, Gerry McKeown, Keith Daly & Paul McKeown
Emer McGeough, Martina McKeown & Martina McKeown having some fun after the game.
The Carroll Gang....Noel, Michael, Ann, Bernie & Martin
Liam Connolly & Colin Reilly in good form.
Declan McCullagh & Colin Quinn
Nicky Calvert, Anthony Clerkin & Philip Clarke
Cormac McFadden, Mark McCormick, Anthony Tate, Paddy McKeown & Jimmy McGeough
Lotto Results Monday 13th September
The numbers drawn last Monday night were 4, 14, 18, and 22. There was no jackpot winner of €3,800.00 and the following people won €15 each :
Grainne McCormill, Swans Cross
Noel Calvert, Rockcorry
Gerry Monaghan, Rockcorry
Eoin Gilsenan, Cootehill
Paddy Cassidy, Clones
Paddy Reilly, Aghabog
George Nixon, Newbliss
Sheila & Mickey Smyth, Anney
Next week our jackpot will be €3,900.00 and the draw will take place in Thompson’s, Newbliss at 10.30pm sharp. Thank you for supporting our Top 4 lotto draw.
Club Notes 14th September
Senior Team Exit Championship Race
When we played Tyholland a couple of week ago in the league campaign they won by two points and on the day we felt we did not give a good account of ourselves and if we were to have any chance of beating them in the semi-final of the Intermediate championship then we needed to come out with all guns blazing or in this case all shooting boots firing! But last Saturday evening when we travelled to Emyvale there was no debating who the better team was on the day as we played second fiddle to a more speedier and slicker Tyholland side as we offered very little to the game and exited the competition, very tamely it must be said, on a score-line Rockcorry 0-8 Tyholland 1-12. While seven points may have been the difference on the scoreboard, in truth it should have been a wider margin had Tyholland been more accurate in their point taking and for the most part Tyholland were the hungrier side and their movement and speed of play was simply too much for us as they battled for every ball and put us under pressure for possession forcing us to make silly mistakes and sloppy passing. For now though we must concentration on the league campaign and in particular our encounter away to Inniskeen which takes place tonight Thursday 16th September at 8pm. Let’s hope the lads have the ‘bounce-back-ability’ factor to fight for a top four spot in the league.
Reserve Team Qualify for Final
After a disappointing evening the previous night with our minor team losing out against Emyvale it was the turn of our reserve team to lift our spirits and boy they did not disappoint as they qualified for a final showdown against Toome by virtue of a fully merited eleven point victory over Killanny on a score-line Rockcorry 2-13 Killanny 1-5. The final was scheduled for last Tuesday (14th September) so check in next week for match report.
Minor Championship Final
On Tuesday 7th September our minor team made the short journey to Monaghan to play Emyvale in the Division 3 Minor football championship final and on the day they lost out to a better balanced Emyvale side. Emyvale got off to a great start as they dominated the first half and had a comfortable 0-5 to 1-8 lead at the break. The second half produced some great spells of football from both sides and within ten minutes of the restart Emyvale had stretched their lead to 0-5 to 1-11. At this stage our lads started to show more spirit and played some wonderful football and closed the gap back to two points 1-9 to 1-11 but it was not enough as Emyvale ran out winners on score-line Rockcorry 2-11 Emyvale 2-14.
All Ireland Football Tickets
With the All Ireland football final on this Sunday any club member that is interested in putting their name into the draw for the All Ireland football tickets should contact club chairman Jimmy McGeough or club secretary Paul McKeown before 7pm on tonight (Thursday 16th September).
Top 4 Lotto Results
The numbers drawn last Monday night were 4, 14, 18, and 22. There was no jackpot winner of €3,800.00 and the following people won €15 each : Grainne McCormill Swans Cross, Noel Calvert Rockcorry, Gerry Monaghan Rockcorry, Eoin Gilsenan Cootehill, Paddy Cassidy Clones, Paddy Reilly Aghabog, George Nixon Newbliss, Sheila & Mickey Smyth Anney. Next week our jackpot will be €3,900.00 and the draw will take place in Thompson’s, Newbliss at 10.30pm sharp. Thank you for supporting our Top 4 lotto draw.
Club Notes
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