BECOME AN ADVERTISER
Rock Exit Ulster Series On Penalties
Saturday 02.11.2019
Tyrone Junior Champions Rock lost out 4-3 on penalties to Buncrana after the sides finished level at the end of extra time in a close and competitive semi final at Celtic Park on Saturday evening.
Martin Hackett’s side fell behind to a first minute free from Darragh O ‘Connor before they hit four unanswered points including one massive kick from Shane Murphy that was close to sixty metres. Aidan Mc Garrity (2) and Shane Murphy (2) with their team’s opening four points.
However just as Rock were warming to their task they were caught by a sucker punch when Buncrana full forward John Campbell punched a speculative effort to the net midway through the opening half to level the game.
Buncrana added a second point from O’ Connor to take the lead but Rock responded well to go in at the break 0-8 to 1-4 in front with their points coming from Enda Mallon, Aidan Mc Garrity, Cormac O’Neill and Shane Murphy.
Buncrana struggled to break through the Rock defence throughout the match and superb tackling from Ciaran Gourley and his colleagues ensured that scoring chances were kept to a minimum.
It was score for score for the opening twenty plus minutes of the second half. Enda Mc Williams, Conor Mc Garrity and Enda Mallon were on target for Rock while Oran Doherty and John Campbell (2) kept the scoreboard ticking over for Buncrana.
In the closing five minutes of the half the Donegal champions hit a real purple patch as they added three points without reply to take what appeared an unassailable lead. Rock refused to give in however and a last minute attack saw substitute Shea Litter punch to the net to tie the game.
In the first period of extra time an Aidan Mc Garrity goal put Rock three in front as the ref blew for the end of the first half. Buncrana were running out of ideas but with time running out Ryan Bradley reduced the deficit to two before late scores from Campbell and Mc Gonigle levelled the game and took the match to penalties.
Unfortunately for Rock, two wayward kicks allowed Buncrana to claim the victory and a place in the Ulster Junior Final.
Similar Stories
