Reserve Team – Monaghan Harps game

Another week another game and another good performance. However, the end result was a one point defeat at the hands of the Harps, played in Rooskey. They were some stirring performances by our lads most notably when we were under the cosh early on in the second half. A series of missed opportunities proved ultimately to be our undoing and the late pressure applied by our forwards came too little and too late as the Harps held out to achieve another two league points at our expense.

A good move involving Owen Fitzpatrick and Cormac Mc Fadden ended with the opening score from Conor Mc Geough for the villagers in the very 1st minute of the match. Young Mc Fadden was at it again when he linked well with Anthony Tate for the Moniel man to score our second point in the 6th minute.A loss of possession by the Rock team was then punished by the Harps when we  conceded a point in the 10th minute. A minute later Finbarr Mc Dermott converted a free for the Rockcorry team to extend our lead to two points. Thereafter the scores appeared to dry up for the Rock lads with the Harps scoring two points between then and the 27th minute. It was at this stage that Dwayne Rooney emerged to mark his imprint on the proceedings with a well taken point after one of his trademark defence splitting runs. Shortly thereafter Monaghan added another brace of points before Dwayne Rooney once again scored his second point of the game to leave the half time score of five points apiece.

Rockcorry started the second half with an attacking zeal which was a sight to behold. They tormented the Harps defence but were to come away empty handed. Declan Mc Cullagh was unlucky to convert a goal scoring chance when denied by the Harps keeper. However, they say when you don’t take your chances you will be punished. And so it proved to be. The Harps were clinical in their finishing scoring two goals and a point in a three minute spell before Rockcorry got off the mark in the 12th minute. However, it was a telling reply when a foul in the small square saw Dwayne Rooney score the resultant penalty by thumping the ball to the Harps net. There were only four points in it for the Harps at this juncture and more pressure from the

Rockcorry lads saw the little warrior Cormac Mc Fadden fly straight through the Harps defence only to narrowly for his shot to narrowly miss the target. A sustained period of pressure from Rockcorry limited the Harps to only one more score from the 14th minute onward. Rockcorry kept their proverbial put on the gas and Dwayne Rooney once again rifled home a goal in the 27th minute. Cormac Mc Fadden added a late point but for all our pressure the Harps held out.

All in all a pleasing performance for Thomas Duffy’s side and we know that there is even better to come. Great heart , great commitment by our team but ultimately lacking the killer punch when we had the upper hand cost us dearly in this game.

Final Score Monaghan Harps 2 – 7 , Rockcorry 2 – 6.

Team and scorers- Andrew Carroll, Micheal Carroll, Colin Quinn, Cathal Sheridan, Ryan Sharkey, Pauric Reilly, Conor Mc Geough (0 – 1),  Owen Fitzpatrick, Dwayne Rooney (2 – 2), Cormac Mc Fadden (0 – 1),  Anthony Tate (0 – 1),  Shane Wynne, Finbarr Mc Dermott 0 -1),  Declan Mc Cullagh and Josh Butler. Sub. Rory Carroll for Anthony Tate.