Sport

Irish News Past Papers - Nov 16 1998: Kildare late strike denies Derry NFL victory

SHOOTING STAR...Armagh’s Cathal O’Rourke manages to get in his shot despite an attempted block by Dublin defender Ian Robertson during yesterday’s NFL game at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh
SHOOTING STAR...Armagh’s Cathal O’Rourke manages to get in his shot despite an attempted block by Dublin defender Ian Robertson during yesterday’s NFL game at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh SHOOTING STAR...Armagh’s Cathal O’Rourke manages to get in his shot despite an attempted block by Dublin defender Ian Robertson during yesterday’s NFL game at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh

National Football League: Division 1B: Derry 0-8 Kildare 0-8

Lilywhites leave it late to earn a share of spoils

WILLIE McCreery made late pressure pay with a crucial 59th minute rescue act which earned Kildare a share of the points at Ballinascreen.

An impressive contributor throughout around midfield, he ghosted in unmarked to deny Derry’s shadow side a first win of the new NFL series after Joe Brolly looked to have snatched full points five minutes from time.

Yesterday’s absorbing encounter, which kept the chill off a receptive 2,000 crowd, kept true to recent history of tight matches between the counties.

There were many positives for Derry’s management to reflect on after what was a determined and spirited performance.

Understrength Derry produced passages of great football, if not the level of finishing required for victory.

In defence they had some of the finest contributors to the game, with Sean Donnelly excellent at right back, Johnny McBride combative and secure at full back, while Gary Coleman, Sean McGuckin, Emmett McKeever and Sean McIvor all displayed attacking skills.

Derry’s defence were put under severe pressure at times coped, outstandingly well for the most part, while at midfield Anthony Tohill and Ronan Rocks produced five-star performances, Tohill hitting four excellent frees to keep Derry in the hunt.

In the last seconds Derry were denied a late free chance for victory, Coleman judged to have overcarried while on the ground and not in possession of the ball before the full-time whistle blew.

Derry: S O’Kane; S Donnelly, J McBride, S McGuckin; S McIvor, G Coleman, E McKeever; A Tohill (Captain) (0-4), R Rocks; B Murray, B McCormick, P Murphy; J Brolly (0-1), D Heaney, G McGonigle (0-3).

Subs: S Downey (for Murphy) 28, G Doyle (for McCorkick) 54.

Kildare: C Burns; B Lacey, E Mullhall, K Doyle; A Rainbow, G Ryan (Captain) (0-1), D Maher; W McCreery (0-2), D Earley; P McCormick (0-2), K O’Dwyer, D Kerrigan; N Donlon (0-1), B Murphy, C Sheridan (0- 2).

Referee: Mick McGrath (Donegal).

Attendance: 2,000

Darcy denies Armagh with late point

National Football League: Division 1A: Armagh 1-11 Dublin 0-14

A RATHER fortuitous injury time free earned 14-man Dublin a share of the spoils in this entertaining Division One game at the Athletic Grounds yesterday. As the winter sun beamed irritatingly, there was a dramatic conclusion to the combat, late substitute Gerard Houlahan knocking over what appeared to be the winning point for Armagh and Declan Darcy saving the day for the visitors.

Dublin, who haven’t beaten Armagh in the last four league encounters dating back to 1994, were the more skilful side, playing with greater vision, strength and understanding.

They posed endless problems for an overwrought home defence which had a tendency to foul needlessly.

All but five of the Dublin scores came from frees, Jim Gavin hitting five, and one from play.

Armagh were minus the Crossmaglen players

Armagh: B Tierney, E McNulty, G Reid, M McNeill, K Hughes, K McGeeney, J McNulty, J Burns (1-0), P McGrane (0-1), J Rafferty, C O’Rourke (0-4), P McKeever, J Byrne (0-1), D Marsden (0-4), D Mackin.

Subs: D Wilson for Rafferty (53 mins), G Houlahan (0-1) for McKeever (55 mins).

Dublin: D Byrne, S Ryan, P Christy, K Galvin, T Lynch, I Robertson (0-1), P Croft, C Whelan (0-1), E Sheehy, J Gavin (0-6), S Cowap, D Stynes (0-3), R Cosgrove (0-1), D Farrell, M O’Keefe (0-1).

Subs: P Curran for Cowap (half-time), J McGee for Ryan (41 mins), D Darcy for O’Keefe (50 mins).

Referee: John Bannon (Longford)

Attendance: 4,000