Team & Scorers: Jamie Smith, Colin Reilly, Damien Matthews, Keelan Clerkin, Niall McKeown 0-1, Keith Daly, Stephen McGuirk 0-2, Barry Patterson, Mark Daly 0-2, Colin Quinn, Noel Carroll 0-1, Martin Carroll, Mark McGuirk 0-2, Paul McKeown 0-1 and Anthony Tate. Subs: Lorcan Smyth 0-1 for Anthony Tate, Garry Calvert for Barry Patterson and Liam Connolly for Colin Quinn.

Please click the link below to view a selection of action photographs on our Flickr page.

http://www.flickr.com//photos/rockcorrygaa/show/

This concludes our football season this year and on behalf of the club I would like to thank our management team of Cormac McFadden, Mickey Conlon and David McGregor for all their efforts and the time they devoted towards a demanding job. Also many thanks to all the players for their efforts and for working hard during the year and we look forward to next year with great anticipation.

After a lapse last weekend the senior team remain on course to qualify for a semi-final spot after a 1-6 to 2-12 victory over Sean McDermott’s last Saturday afternoon. In a game that seldom reached high levels of quality or intensity the lads can take a lot of encouragement from their display as they matched Sean’s in every department and were fully focused on winning and achieved that goal with a degree of ruthlessness. But make no mistake about it we have plenty of work to do before next weekend’s encounter against Donaghmoyne.

The game was played in wet and slippery conditions and Sean McDermott’s opened the scoring after just fourteen seconds on the clock with a neat point from play. It didn’t take us long to respond as Dwayne Rooney fired over a lovely point on the 2^nd minute. The following five minutes were scoreless but Stephen McGuirk squeezed us back in front on the 7^th minute with a lovely strike but Sean McDermott’s evened up the scores moments afterwards when they pointed. We received a great boost midway through the first half when Martin Carroll collected a delightful cross field pass by Garry Calvert and he neatly side stepped the advances of the Sean McDermott’s goal-keeper and was left with the easy task of tapping the ball into an empty net. Both teams were guilty of missing scoring opportunities before Sean McDermott’s tagged on another point on the 16^th minute to close the deficit and leave the score 0-3 to 1-2. We then enjoyed our best spell of the game as we showed our extra degree of class by scoring three  points without reply to take a firm grip on proceedings. The first came from the boot of Stephen McGuirk when he converted a free-kick and Paul McKeown slotted over the second when he collected a pass from Niall McKeown and Stephen McGuirk added the third from a free-kick after Dwayne Rooney was brought down to leave the score at the interval Sean McDermott’s 0-3 Rockcorry 1-5.

Dwayne Rooney collects the ball ahead of his opponent before firing over a point

At the start of the second half we continued where we left off in the first half and the game was effectively decided in the third quarter when we scored four unanswered points to open up a nine point gap, leading 0-3 to 1-9. Anthony Tate got the scoring underway with just two minutes on the clock and this was followed up with further scores from Mark Daly and two from Dwayne Rooney. Sean McDermott’s narrowed the gap when they converted a free-kick on the 18^th minute but this was cancelled out when Mark Daly curled over a lovely point on the 21^st minute. Sean McDermott’s responded immediately with a fine point from play but when substitute Noel Carroll found Stephen Lynch in some space he tapped over a point and this was quickly followed by a fantastic score from Paul McKeown to maintain a healthy 0-5 to 1-12 advantage.

Paul McKeown shakes off the challenge from two Sean McDermott players before slotting over a fantastic point

With time running out Sean McDermott’s were applying a lot of pressure and all their hard work paid off when they managed to snatch a consolation goal on the 28^th minute to narrow the deficit. However, it failed to rattle us and as injury time began we swept downfield and when, one time goal-keeper now turned goal poacher, Stephen Lynch collected the ball he turned sharply inside his opponent and then sold his opponents numerous dummy’s before racing forward and neatly firing into the top corner of the net with a screamer! (Oh dear, sorry folks that’s not the way it happened but if you were speaking to Stephen after the game it’s a pretty close account of the score!)

Truthfully, the way it actually happened a shot ricocheted off the upright and landed gratefully into the waiting arms of the dangerous Stephen Lynch whose initial shot was saved by the Sean McDermott’s goal-keeper but he seized the initiative and somehow (the emphasis on somehow!) managed to get the ball across the line, but as they say “they all count”. The final score of the game came from Sean McDermott’s when they pointed on the 32^nd minute to leave the final score Sean McDermott’s 1-6 Rockcorry 2-12.

A happy Stephen Lynch cannot hide his delight after scoring 1-1 during the game

The scene is now set for an exciting finish to the league campaign because this weekend we have an opportunity claim fourth place with a win against Donaghmoyne. The game is a home game and is fixed for this Saturday 15^th October and has a throw-in time of 4.00pm. Unfortunately lads I won’t be there to cheer you and I know you have worked hard throughout the year and on that note you thoroughly deserve a semi-final position. But as we all know sometimes in life what you deserve and what you get are two completely different things. Always remember lads, you have the ability and skill to achieve this goal, work hard for each other, support each other and just go out and make it happen. All the best lads.

Please click the link below to view a selection of action photographs on our Flickr page:

http://www.flickr.com//photos/rockcorrygaa/sets/72157627735075447/show/

Team & Scorers: Jamie Smith, Keelan Clerkin, Damien Matthews, Colin Reilly, Stephen McGuirk 0-3, Keith Daly, Niall McKeown, Barry Patterson, Mark Daly 0-2, Colin Quinn, Carry Calvert, Martin Carroll 1-0, Anthony Tate 0-1, Paul McKeown 0-2, Dwayne Rooney 0-3. Subs: Mark McGuirk for Garry Calvert, Noel Carroll for Colin Quinn, Stephen Lynch for Anthony Tate, Pauric Reilly for Keelan Clerkin and Liam Connolly for Barry Patterson.

Our minor team Rock Sarsfields played Killanny in the GRM minor football league division 2 final last Saturday afternoon in Drumhowan and at the end of a dramatic encounter had five points to spare following a gutsy performance over a determined Killanny side. This was an enthralling game of football and as expected there was very little between these two evenly matched sides but, ultimately, when the chips were down the lads showed admirable fighting quality and deserved their win on a score-line Rock Sarsfields 2-12 Killanny 2-7 to claim the division two league title.

Joint captains Christopher Kilpatrick and Mark McGuirk receive the cup from County Board PRO Siobhan McQuillan.

Rock Sarsfields Team - GRM Division 2 League Winners

The game was played in glorious sunny conditions and it was Lorcan Smyth who got the scoring underway with a point after just twenty seconds. Killanny kicked wide on the 2^nd minute but they did manage to register a point on the 5^th minute when they pointed from a free-kick. Killanny continued to dominate the opening exchanges of the game and moments later they broke through our defence and crashed the ball into the back of our net leaving Adam Langdon no chance. They kicked further wides on the 9^th and 10^th minutes but stretched their lead shortly afterwards when they converted a free-kick to open up a 0-1 to 1-2 advantage after eleven minutes.  Thankfully, we did recover and Mark Quigley pulled one back on the 14^th minute following good approach play by Fergal McGeough and we cut the margin back further when Mark McGuirk found Fergal McGeough with a good pass and he glided over a peach of a point. Christopher Kilpatrick kicked narrowly wide on the 18^th minute but moments later when Fergal McGeough was brought down Mark McGuirk showed his accuracy and bisected the uprights to leave just the minimum separating the sides 0-4 to 1-2.

Killanny spurned scoring opportunities on the 21^st and 22^nd minutes before Christopher Kilpatrick notched over a fabulous point to draw the sides level. Lorcan Smyth broke down a Killanny attack on the 27^th minute that instigated a swift move down the field and when Fergal McGeough was hauled down Mark McGuirk converted the free-kick to take a one point lead. With half time approaching Christopher Kilpatrick latched onto a long delivery and sprinted away from his marker and his effort at the goals was just millimetres wide of the post. Killanny finished the half with a neat point to bring them on level terms and at the interval the scoreboard showed Rock Sarsfields 0-6 Killanny 1-3.

Killanny came out for the second half with all guns blazing and pointed after just twenty seconds. The game continued to be a ding-dong battle and Christopher Kilpatrick levelled the sides when he fired over a great point on the 7^th minute. However, it didn’t take Killanny long to respond as this was immediately cancelled out when they scored another fine point from play. After a somewhat sluggish start to the second half we hit out stride and after some good approach play by the team, Fergal McGeough blasted the ball into the roof of the net to take a two point lead, leading 1-7 to 1-5. Unfortunately, our lead was short lived because Killanny swept downfield and won a penalty and the young lad kept his cool and buried it past our goal-keeper Adam Langdon to restore their lead. Those old enough to remember Billy Ocean he had a huge hit back in the eighties, ‘when the going gets tough the tough get going’ and this was definitely the case as the lads stuck to their task with admirable gusto and worked extremely hard for each other as we got to grips with proceedings and started to enjoy more possession and points from Mark McGuirk on the 16^th minute and Christopher Kilpatrick on the 17^th minute sparked a good period for the team. The crucial score, a goal from the stylish Mark McGuirk, came on the 18^th minute when he finished off probably the best move of the game. A lovely passing move that involved numerous players as they weaved their way through the Killanny defence turning them inside out and when Mark McGuirk received the final pass he was left with the easy task of tapping the ball into the net to extend our advantage by four points leading 2-9 to 2-5.

Killanny converted a free-kick on the 19^th minute to leave three points separating the sides but when Keelan Clerkin dispossessed a Killanny player at a crucial stage the action swung to the other end as we launched a swift counter attack and when Fergal McGeough collected the ball he skipped past his opponent and effortlessly sailed over a sweat point to restore a four point cushion. Killanny kicked wide on the 24^th minute before they pointed two minutes later to reduce the deficit back to three points and at this stage the game was set up for a fascinating last five minutes. We all know how dangerous a three point lead can be in Gaelic football and Killanny poured on the pressure during the final stages, as they threw everything at us including the proverbial kitchen sink, but the defenders Iain McConnon, Kieran Corr, Macartan Kierans, Finian Smith and Gerard Graham remained solid as a ‘Rock’ and defended wisely and bravely to deny Killanny any simple scoring chances.

The insurance point came on the 28^th minute when John McGuirk curled over a marvellous point from the left wing and when Mark McGuirk scored our last point from a free-kick, during injury time, we knew it was game, set and match. Seconds later players, mentors and supporters were celebrating wildly as the final whistle sounded as the lads claimed the GRM minor football league division two title on a score-line Rock Sarsfields 2-12 Killanny 2-7.

There’s a well-known saying that goes “some players want it to happen, some wish it would happen,” but in this instance the lads made it happen because ALL of them made a major contribution to this victory and it would be grossly unfair to pick-out any one individual for merit because the whole team was excellent.  There were heroes on every line of the field and it was truly a team effort where all players from number one to number fifteen that started and those that came on worked tirelessly, they never gave up, played with heart and determination and battled for each other and this was reflected by the end result and I congratulate you on your wonderful achievement. I have to say fair-play to our team management Pascal Smyth, Jimmy McGeough from our side along with Enda Kilpatrick, Jim Graham and Adrian Thompson from the Killeevan club. They deserve enormous credit for the work they did with the lads and having the team playing together as a TEAM.

The Management Team - Pascal Smyth, Jim Graham, Adrian Thompson, Enda Kilpatrick and Jimmy McGeough

Please click the links below to view a selection of action photographs:

Click here to view the embedded video.

http://www.flickr.com//photos/rockcorrygaa/sets/72157627631629867/show/

It certainly has been a remarkable journey for these young players and their season is not over yet because this Sunday 2^nd October they take on Magheracloone in the second replay of the Maguire Transport championship semi-final. The two previous encounters were, in my mind, classic games and I would advise football fans to go along and cheer the lads on. Unfortunately, I will not be there to cheer you on because it’s my last training weekend before I head off to do my challenge for the Irish Heart Foundation but I will be shouting you on from the top of Carrantuohill. COME ON ROCK SARSFIELDS….YOU CAN DO IT.

Okay folks, tell the truth, who was feeling exhausted and totally drained after the game last Sunday afternoon? Come-on tell the truth, because, speaking for myself, I was totally worn-out both emotionally, and physically and I wasn’t even playing! The game was by no means a classic encounter as both teams struggled to cope with the wind, wet and the slippery underfoot conditions but it was such an absorbing contest, characterised by a tit-for-tat exchange, as neither side could get the edge and while the quality of football on view was never of the top-class quality there was never much between the sides on the scoreboard which resulted in a dramatic climax to the game as it ended all square.  

The game was played at Clontibret and there was no shortage of effort and determination from the lads and as expected there was very little between the sides and we just shaded the opening half and at the interval we led by 0-4 to 0-2. Corduff reasserted themselves at the start of the second half and were more clinical with their scoring chances and within ten minutes they quickly transferred a two point deficit into a one point advantage. At this stage we looked at sixes and sevens and, thankfully, a point from Mark McGuirk, on the 17^th minute, seemed to settle the ship. We had opportunities to take the lead on the 21^st and 22^nd minutes but unfortunately we kicked wide while Corduff on the other hand made no mistake when they pointed, on the 24^th minute, to regain the lead. The lads continued to battle away and an inspirational point from Mark Daly a minute later drew the sides level once again on 0-6 apiece and when Paul McKeown was fouled shortly afterwards, Mark Daly showed good composure and accuracy to glide over the free-kick to put us a point up with only a couple of minutes of normal time remaining. The final minutes felt like hours, it was tense, it was edgy and it was very, very nerve-racking and it was certainly not good for the heart as Corduff put our defence under severe pressure as they went in search for an equalizer and while we defended stoutly, in the last minute of injury time they were awarded a free-kick which they duly converted to take the game to a replay.

In fairness, a draw was probably a fair result as both teams were guilty of squandering several scoring opportunities through-out the course of the game and no doubt they will work on this before the replay which takes place tomorrow night Friday 16^th September at 8.00pm in Inniskeen.

Rockcorry GAA Senior Panel

Team & Scorers: Jamie Smith, Colin Reilly, Damien Matthews, Keith Daly, Stephen McGuirk 0-2, Barry Patterson, Niall McKeown, Mark Daly 0-3, Noel Carroll, Martin Carroll, Garry Calvert 0-1, Keelan Clerkin, Mark McGuirk 0-1, Paul McKeown and Dwayne Rooney. Subs: Fergal McGeough for Garry Calvert, Lorcan Smyth for Dwayne Rooney, Colin Quinn for Niall McKeown and Owen Fitzpatrick for Keelan Clerkin.

Please click the link below to view a selection of action photograph’s.

Click here to view the embedded video.

We erased the memory of a poor midweek performance against Carrickmacross by getting back on the winning track when we recorded a valuable win over Tyholland in the Monaghan Electrical intermediate football league.  With four or five teams competing for the last qualifying position it was vital for us to get a win and the lads achieved that with a seven point winning margin that leaves up on fourteen points in the league table with four games left to play.

The win should give us confidence and give us something positive going into next week’s encounter against Corduff. Winning form is good form and we can now focus our attention and be mentally prepared for the tough battle ahead. In fairness, we will need to up our performance a couple of notches if we are going to get over this big hurdle.

As the famous quote goes “winning is not a sometime thing, it’s an all the time thing. You don’t win once in a while, you don’t do things right once in a while. You do them right all the time. WINNING IS A HABIT”.

Team & Scorers: Jamie Smith, Keith Daly, Damien Matthews, Colin Reilly, Stephen McGuirk, Barry Patterson, Niall McKeown, Mark Daly 0-6, Noel Carroll 0-1, Martin Carroll, Garry Calvert 0-1, Keelan Clerkin 0-1, Mark McGuirk 0-2, Paul McKeown 1-3 and Dwayne Rooney 0-1. Subs: Fergal McGeough for Mark McGuirk, Pauric Reilly for Dwayne Rooney, Lorcan Smyth for Keelan Clerkin.

Please click the lick below to view a selection of action photographs on our Flickr page.

http://www.flickr.com//photos/rockcorrygaa/show/

After the euphoria of the victory over Donaghmoyne last Sunday in the championship campaign our senior team were brought back down to earth with a bang yesterday evening (Wednesday 31st August). That’s right folks, back to grim reality as they suffered a heavy defeat against Carrickmacross in the Monaghan Electrical intermediate football league on a score-line Rockcorry 0-8 Carrickmacross 2-13.

I have to say, the game had an uneasy sense of déjà vu  because the opening minutes of the game reminded me of the horror show we experienced against Currin a couple of weeks ago.  On this occasion, Carrickmacross opened up a commanding 1-3 to 0-0 lead after three minutes and it meant we were always chasing the game. When you play against any top teams you can’t afford to give them a head start and while the lads did their best to get back into the game we couldn’t close the gap and they ran out comfortable winners. This Sunday the lads will be hoping to bounce back when they take on Tyholland at 12.30pm. Best of luck lads.

To view a selection of action photographs from the game please click the link below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Team & Scorers: Jamie Smith, Pauric Reilly, Damien Matthews, Colin Reilly, Stephen McGuirk 0-2, Barry Patterson, Niall McKeown, Martin Carroll, Noel Carroll 0-2, Mark McGuirk 0-2, Garry Calvert 0-2, Colin Quinn, Anthony Tate, Paul McKeown, Dwayne Rooney. Subs: Lorcan Smyth for Anthony Tate, Owen Fitzpatrick for Barry Patterson, Conor McGeough for Colin Quinn.

The match was played in glorious sunshine on a perfect pitch and as games go it was not very pretty to look at but as a contest it ebbed and flowed throughout and we got the perfect start as a point attempt from Mark Daly, on the 3^rd minute, rebounded off the upright and Martin “Suarez” Carroll ran onto the loose ball and vollied the ball into the corner of the net. Donaghmoyne registered their first score on the 7^th minute when they pointed from a free-kick after Colin Reilly was adjudged to have fouled his opponent. Mark Daly sailed over a free-kick on the 9^th minute following a foul on Mark McGuirk but shortly afterwards Donaghmoyne replied with a neat point from play to leave the score 1-1 to 0-2 after twelve minutes of play. Donaghmoyne notched over two quick-fire points on the 15^th and 17^th minutes and suddenly the sides were level but we responded in fine style with a lovely move down the field and when Paul Mckeown collected the ball he finished to the net with great aplomb. Good defending by Keith Daly on the 24^th minute released Noel Carroll and he soloed through the heart of the Donaghmoyne defence before off-loading to his brother Martin who glided over a sweet point to leave the score at the interval Rockcorry 2-2 Donaghmoyne 0-4.

Trailing by four points at the break Donaghmoyne were right back in contention as they enjoyed a productive first minute and notched over two points to narrow the gap. After a somewhat timid start we reasserted ourselves and when Noel Carroll was hauled down, on the 6^th minute, it was welcome relief and Stephen McGuirk, who was facing into a strong breeze, coolly split the uprights with a fantastic kick. This was quickly followed with a wonderful point from Keelan Clerkin, on the 7^th minute, and instead of building on that score it amazingly turned out to be our last score of the game. Because, while we had our fair share of possession we struggled to convert it onto the scoreboard and were caught napping on the 13^th and 16^th minutes as Donaghmoyne forged a strong comeback and slotted over points to leave just two points separating the sides. For the remaining part of the game the lads continued to show fierce determination and hunger but our passing and decision making at times was frightful and when Donaghmoyne pointed on the 29^th minute to leave a solitary point dividing the sides it was now a case of who wanted it the more!

There was definitely an exciting and dramatic finish to the game and when the fourth official indicated two minutes of added time, what followed was torture! The tension was unbearable and I became really exhausted (and I wasn’t even playing!) but the lads somehow summoned up reserves of energy as they defended like demons and never gave Donaghmoyne a simple scoring opportunity. However, two minutes into injury time Donaghmoyne had a chance to draw level when they were awarded a free-kick approximately thirty metre from goals. My heart started to beat as though it was about to explode, I held my breath, as others simply couldn’t watch,  as the ball travelled towards the goalposts, but as we realised it was going to fall on the outside of the upright pure relieve was shown. Seconds later the sound of the final whistle was heard and it was like listening to the sweet sound of music because we secured victory, all-be-it by the narrowest of margins, on a score-line Rockcorry 2-4 Donaghmoyne 0-9.

I have to say, this was a courageous display by the lads and despite only scoring two points during the second period they hung on defiantly as they made tackle after tackle and withstood a lot of pressure from the men in red & white. Remember, this was a Donaghmoyne team who cut us to pieces in the league game but this time we simply did not afford them the same luxury of time and space and stood resolute to wave upon wave of attacks. After the game I caught up with our team manager Cormac McFadden and he summed up the game as gutsy, but not the best. He said “I felt the performance of the lads during the game was gutsy and hardworking, but it certainly wasn’t the best in terms of how we can play. The lads applied themselves fantastically and battled away and showed commendable character which is very encouraging but while we enjoyed a lot of possession and territory we were let down by poor handling, careless passing and bad decision making at crucial times which could off cost us dearly, but these are all things we will be working on at training”. Our prize for winning is a mouth-watering semi-final clash against Corduff and when asked about his opponents in the next round he remarked “Corduff are a good side and we had a tough encounter with them earlier in the league campaign and it will be another big test for us but in the meantime we have a couple of important league games to play first and that’s were our attention we be focused”.  Well done lads and keep up the good work at training and always remember Don’t Stop Believin’.

Team & Scorers: Jamie Smith, Colin Reilly, Damien Matthews, Keith Daly, Niall McKeown, Barry Patterson, Stephen McGuirk 0-1, Mark Daly 0-1, Noel Carroll, Martin Carroll 1-1, Garry Calvert, Keelan Clerkin 0-1, Mark McGuirk, Paul McKeown 1-0, Dwayne Rooney. Subs: Fergal McGeough for Dwayne Rooney, Colin Quinn for Martin Carroll

Please click the link below to view a selection of action photographs on our Flickr page.

http://www.flickr.com//photos/rockcorrygaa/sets/72157627419731407/show/

Click here to view the embedded video.

There’s an old saying and it’s one of my favourite sayings “No Guts, No Glory” and I think this expression is very adequate to describe the performance of our minor team when they took on Mageracloone in the semi-final of the Maguire Transport division 2 football championship. If you want to achieve glory, you have to take risks and show guts and that’s exactly what the lads showed, particularly during the second half, when they trailed 0-5 to 2-5 at the break against a determined and well-organised Magheracloone side because they put in an immense effort to restrict Magheracloone to score only once while during the same period we notched over seven points to leave the final score Rock Sarsfields 0-12 Magheracloone 2-6.

The game was played in pleasant conditions in Doohamlet and the opening exchanges were dominated by Magheracloone and were first to register a score when they pointed after two minutes and they doubled their lead moments later with another neat point. Christopher Kilpatrick kicked wide on the 6^th minute but the next five minutes it was all one-way traffic as Magheracloone stormed forward with wave upon wave of attacks but luckily for us they kicked wide on the 7^th, 8^th, 9^th and 11^th minutes. They did manage, however, to extend their advantage on the 12^th and 13^th minutes to lead 0-0 to 0-4.

Our first score arrived on the 14^th minute when Christopher Kilpatrick collected a pass from Mark Quigley and he sailed over a lovely point from the right wing. Magheracloone kicked another wide on the 20^th minute but shortly afterwards they banged in  their opening goal to leave the score 0-1 to 1-4 after twenty-one minutes of the game played. We responded swiftly and had a glorious chance to reduce the gap when Gerard Graham broke through their defence and with only the goal-keeper facing him his shot went agonisingly wide when it appeared a goal was at his mercy. Christopher Kilpatrick scored a superb point on the 23^rd minute after John McGuirk did all the hard work and Mark McGuirk added another point on the 26^th minute to make it 0-3 to 1-4.

Lorcan Smyth made a well-timed tackle on the 28^th minute and when Finnian Smith collected the loose ball he surged forward and off-loaded to Mark McGuirk who delivered a measured pass into Christopher Kilpatrick who bisected the uprights with a wonderful point to leave only three points separating the sides. With half-time fast approaching Magheracloone stretched their lead when they pointed on the 29^th minute and we suffered a major setback two minutes into injury time when Magheracloone claimed their second goal. Mark McGuirk converted a free-kick on the 33rd minute to leave the score at the interval Rock Sarsfields 0-5 Magheracloone 2-5.

I imagine there was quite a strong pep talk during the half-time break because when our lads took the field they were more determined and got off to a dream start as Christopher Kilpatrick pointed after twenty-three seconds. Good defending by Ciaran Corr, on the 3^rd minute, instigated a swift move down the field and when Keelan Clerkin was hauled down Mark McGuirk stepped up and tapped over the free-kick. Magheracloone missed scoring opportunities on the 5^th and 8^th minutes before Mark McGuirk glided over a tremendous free-kick and on the 17^th minute he sailed over a peach of a point to leave the score 0-9 to 2-5.

When Fergal McGeough was brought down in the large parallelogram on the 19^th minute we had a wonderful chance to take the lead but Mark McGuirk’s strike was well saved by the Magheracloone goal-keeper to deny us the opportunity. Unfortunately, on the 20^th minute, we suffered a setback when we were reduced to fourteen men after Mark Quigley picked up a second yellow card and at this stage Magheracloone seized possession and with some good approach play they slotted over a point. The lads continued to battle away and narrowed the deficit to a single point when Mark McGuirk converted free-kicks on the 23^rd and 26^th minute to leave the score 0-11 to 2-6. With time ticking away we were awarded a late free-kick and Mark McGuirk showed good composure to fire the ball between the uprights to draw the sides level 0-12 to 2-6.

In truth, a draw was probably the fairest result as both teams served up an exciting game of football where there was no quarter given between these two evenly matched sides. Both teams had their spells of dominance and when Magheracloone asked the questions the lads showed great determination and real character, especially during the second half, as they raised their performance by several notches to dig out a deserved draw. So well done lads, keep up the good work, and hopefully you can get the right result the next time.

Please click the link below to view a slide show of action photographs.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Our senior team progressed to the next round of the McGuigan Builders intermediate football championship when they proved too strong against Eire Og and secured the win on a score-line Rockcorry 0-15 Eire Og 0-3. We were far more dominant in all areas of the field and used the ball more economically but strange as it may seem, there is still room for improvement as there are bigger and tougher days ahead. And, speaking of bigger and tougher, they don’t get much bigger than Donaghmoyne who will be our opponents in the next round of the competition and the game is fixed for this weekend.

Full match report to follow.

Please click the link below to view a selection of action photographs.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Please click the link below to visit our Flickr page.

http://www.flickr.com//photos/rockcorrygaa/sets/72157627492948554/show/

Our minor team played their final league game against Latton yesterday evening (Tuesday 16^th August) in the GRM division 2 football league and unfortunately three second half goals proved the difference as Latton secured the victory on a score-line Rock Sarfields 0-15 Latton 3-9.

In an exciting game of football which was evenly contested throughout we opened the scoring on the 1^st minute when Mark McGuirk converted a free-kick following a foul on Gerard Graham. Latton replied a minute later when they tapped over a free-kick. We regained the lead on the 3^rd minute after Gerard Graham scored a nice point but Latton bounced back with scores on the 4^th and 5^th minutes. Mark McGuirk added a point shortly afterwards to leave the score Rock Sarsfields 0-3 Latton 0-3 after six minutes of play. Both teams squandered scoring opportunities during the next ten minutes but it was Latton who enjoyed a productive spell as they fired over three unanswered points on the 15^th, 16^th and 18^th minutes to open up a three point gap 0-3 to 0-6. Mark Quigley had a great goal scoring chance, on the 20^th minute, but his shot was well saved by the Latton goal-keeper but we did manage to reduce the deficit on the 24^th minute when Mark McGuirk glided over a lovely point. A minute later Lorcan Smyth was brought down and he converted the free-kick himself to leave just a single point separating the sides. Latton quickly restored a three point advantage when they converted two free-kicks on the 27^th and 30^th minutes and with half time approaching Mark McGuirk chipped over another free-kick to leave the score at the break Rock Sarsfields 0-6 Latton 0-8.

The second half was barely a pup when Fergal McGeough glided over a sweat point and we levelled proceedings shortly afterwards when Gerard Graham lobbed over another. We took the lead on the 3^rd minute when Mark McGuirk tapped over a free-kick following a foul on Fergal McGeough. However, just as we started to show signs of improving we were dealt a massive blow on the 6^th minute when Latton converted a penalty to make it 0-9 to 1-8. Disappointingly, we had chances to reduce the gap but we kicked wide on the 9^th and 10^th minutes while Latton on the other hand notched over a point on the 11^th minute to give them a three point advantage, 0-9 to 1-9. Mark McGuirk reduced the arrears back to a single point when he pointed from play on the 12^th minute and converted a free-kick on the 15^th minute. But crucially, when it really mattered Latton were able to produce the vital scores as they swooped for another goal on the 19^th minute to restore a four point lead, leading 0-11 to 2-9. Fergal McGeough and Mark McGuirk were both on target on the 22^nd and 23^rd minutes respectively and moments later Fergal McGeough shot over once more when he played a one-two with Mark McGuirk to reduce the leeway back to a point, 0-14 to 2-9. Latton proceeded to enjoy more favourable amount of possession and when they broke forward and finished to the net on the 27^th minute they once again restored a four point advantage 0-14 to 3-9. As time ticked away it was clear only a goal would rescue the situation but unfortunately Mark McGuirk’s effort on the 29^th minute went over the bar to leave the final score Rock Sarsfields 0-15 Latton 3-9.

Team & Scorers: Aaron Clerkin, Kieran Corr, Keelan Clerkin, Iain McConnon, Marcartan Kierans, Lorcan Smyth (0-1f), Christopher Kilpatrick, Fergal McGeough (0-3), Gerard Graham (0-2), Rory Moore, Finnain Smith, John Greenan, Mark Quigley, Mark McGuirk (0-6f, 0-3p) John McGuirk. Subs used: Eoghan MacDomhnaill for Rory Moore, Gavin Farrelly for John McGuirk.

Please click the link below to view a selection of action photographs.

Click here to view the embedded video.

http://www.flickr.com//photos/rockcorrygaa/sets/72157627330072419/show/