Sport

On this Day in the Irish News: June 13 1998

Joe Cassidy was sent-off in Bellaghy's Derry SFC win over Slaughtneil in June 1998
Joe Cassidy was sent-off in Bellaghy's Derry SFC win over Slaughtneil in June 1998 Joe Cassidy was sent-off in Bellaghy's Derry SFC win over Slaughtneil in June 1998

Derry SFC: Bellaghy 0-9 Slaughtneil 0-4

BELLAGHY ran out five point winners in this keenly contested replay at Ballinascreen – but the victory was marred by the dismissal of county star Joe Cassidy shortly before the final whistle. He could now miss Derry’s Ulster Senior semifinal in two weeks time.

The first half was played at a fast and furious pace, Bellaghy five points to three ahead at the break. Twice the sides were level in the opening half, the accurate Gavin Diamond with three points the difference between the sides. Mullan and Diamond exchanged points in the opening 10 minutes, as did Paul Diamond and Colin McEldowney in the next three.

Gavin Diamond from a free and Joe Cassidy from play put Bellaghy 0-4 to 0-2 ahead by the 21st minute, O’Neill and Diamond pointing frees in the closing minutes of the half. Both sides had missed a good goal chance in that opening half, Damien Cassidy blazing across the goalmouth and wide.

Francie Burke also volleyed wide from the edge of the square seven minutes from the break. On the restart Scullion increased Bellaghy’s lead, Gavin Diamond putting them seven points to three ahead in the 10th minute. Slaughtneil missed several well placed frees, their only return in a spell of pressure a 15th minute point by Burke.

Ten minutes from time Diamond scored his fifth point to put the Tones 0-8 to 0-4 ahead. Three minutes from time Derry star Joe Cassidy was sent off after an off-theball incident with a Slaughtneil defender.

The final point came from Eunan Cassidy to give Bellaghy a deserved victory

World Cup Group C: France 3 South Africa 0

SUBSTITUTE Christophe Dugarry put the wind in the sails of the French World Cup challenge as the hosts kicked off their group C campaign with a conclusive victory over South Africa in Marseille last night.

Dugarry, on his home ground, the vast windswept bowl of the open air Stade Velodrome, was called upon to replace injured striker Stephane Guivarc’h after only 26 minutes. Having been denied by a brave save from South African goalkeeper Han Vonk within seconds of his arrival, he headed home a Thierry Henry corner just seven minutes later.

That goal always looked enough to carry the tricolour to a crucial opening victory against rivals who were making their World cup debut. The African side looked comparative novices in every respect except rugged tackling and defensive organisation.

The biggest threat to a French carnival night which eventually sent 60,000 fans into a wild party around the streets of the Mediterranean port was the ferocious winds that blew in off the sea and made cohesive football a labour of love.

But two more goals in the closing 12 minutes set the seal on a splendid triumph for coach Aime Jacquet and his men in royal blue.