O'Rourke Cup, Strokestown V Castlerea 04/04/09

Strokestown 2-9, Castlerea 0-7.

The senior team picked up their first 2 points of the year with a comprehensive victory over reigning county champions Castlerea in Strokestown on saturday evening last. The overnight rain left the pitch in a very bad state but it was Strokestown who managed the conditions much the better.

Playing into a strong wind in the first half Strokestown played some very good football at times. One aspect of play that stood out during the half was the great support play of the black and amber. This led to one goal in the first half, a rasper from Conor Silke. Town could have had a second goal but John Hagan saw his effort just go over the crossbar for a point. Hagan, playing in mid-field, also added a second point during the half. Enda Molloy and John Rogers also added a point each during the half. Castlerea kept in touch with points from the vetern Derek Duggan and Ger Heneghan frees. One sour note from the first half was the bad injury picked up by Thomas Hughes who was replaced by Rory Molloy. At half time Strokestown went in with a 2 point cushion leading 1-4 to 0-5.

Castlerea opened the scoring at the start of the second half to leave just the minimum between the sides but after this it became all about the black and amber. Strokestown tagged on further points from Enda Molloy and 3 John Rogers scores. Castlerea tried there best to get back into the game but found the Strokestown backline in a particularly mean mood, giving the visitors no time on the ball and forcing countless turnovers. In fact Castlerea were restricted to just 2 points in the second half both coming from placed balls. Strokestown finished the game in style with Niall Brogan grabbing the second goal of the game, again after some very slick passing from the home side, and Emmet Collins sending a long range effort over the bar.

This was a very impressive display from the Town with the players showing a great hunger for the victory. Hopefully the team can build on this performance and pull themselves further up the league table.

Team & scorers: John McHugh, Johnny Dolan, Ciarán O'Reilly, Colin Dowd, Daniel Rogers, Cormac Hanly, Emmett Collins(0-1), John Hagan(0-2), Seamus Collins, Thomas Hughes, Niall Brogan(1-0), Matty Colum, John Rogers(0-4), Conor Silke(1-0), Enda Molloy(0-2).
Subs: Rory Molloy for Thomas Hughes, Thomas Shanagher for Conor Silke, Paul McLoughlin for Cormac Hanly.