Fixtures & Results 2013 - IFC

Clooney was the stage for the clash of footballing rivals this past weekend and the curtain raiser as part of a double header was the meeting of Rasharkin and nearest neighbours Portglenone with a place in the Intermediate final up for grabs. No love loss lies between these bitter foes as a rivalry as intensified throughout the years, which made this encounter at the semi-final stage all the more tantalising. 

The sides prevailed to this stage following impressive wins against Ballymena and Sarsfields, which left opinions divided on the outcome ahead of the game. Rasharkin having defeated their counterparts in the two league meetings this year appeared as favourites for the tie as they have played a brand of football which now sees them playing in Antrim’s top flight next year and manager Dominic Kelly was hoping for a similar outcome in this their third meeting of the year. The Casement’s however will have felt hard done by in each of these games as they were beaten by slim margins and would have felt victory was well within their grasp making the short journey to Fr McGuigan Park.

This fixture was a repeat of the 1997 Intermediate semi-final encounter between the pair and the outcome was the same also, as Portglenone prevailed by a five point margin in a match where they played the far superior football and will feel they should have pulled away much sooner than they did. Credit must be given to Rasharkin though as although they failed to play to their potential they remained in the hunt for the game until the final ten minutes.

Both sides displayed a valiant effort throughout the game, where there were a number of key battles on show that proved vital in the outcome. Casement’s ability to enjoy a greater majority of possession was the difference in this victory as they won a greater amount of breaking ball in the surrounding midfield areas and were able to turn over the St Mary’s side on a number of occasions.

An intense match of football was on show as both side’s defensive structures proved difficult to penetrate in a game where there were a number of mistakes and uncharacteristic errors. The St Mary’s side will be disappointed with their distribution of the ball and the amount of unforced errors which they committed on the night, which allowed Portglenone to build from the back.

Roger Casement’s enjoyed more possession and justifiably led by three points after eight minutes of football. Yet against the run of play it must be said Rasharkin staged a dramatic turn around when they struck with a goal to level the affair on the ten minute mark. Rasharkin failed to kick on from this as they only scored one additional point in the last twenty minutes of the half though. Portglenone remained on course and notched a further four points giving them a lead of 0-07 to 1-01 at the interval.

Portglenone continued to dominate in the second period and although Rasharkin remained in touching distance, the Casement’s managed to compose themselves and come away with a deserving victory, earning their place in the final.

Both sides will feel they never really got going during the game, as periods of scoring were followed by mistakes and adding to a wides tally which continued throughout the game.

Portglenone began the game I control of proceedings and they made the greater possession percentage count with the first three scores of the match. Paddy Kelly began the scoring, following an excellent team move, where passes were exchanged from three players before finding its way to Kelly who split the posts from range. They soon doubled this lead through star man Dermot McAleese, after he was found from Michael Kelly, before firing over a fine score from 30 yards.

Kelly and McAleese were involved in Portglenone’s next score as their movement and sharp passing created an opening for Gerard McAleese to slot over their third of the day. Rasharkin could only stand and watch as Portglenone played with greater fluency and used the ball better in order to create their opportunities.

The St Mary’s side were not to be written off to quickly though and through a stroke of fortune their found themselves back in the game. Casements full back line failed to claim Brendan Etherson’s lengthy ball which they allowed to bounce in to the path of Eamon McNeill who was put straight through on goal. There was only going to be one outcome and the former county representative didn’t have to be asked twice as he lifted the night with a terrific strike giving Brian McCann no chance. Portglenone’s dominance and hard work had been cancelled out in this single move as Rasharkin clawed their way back into contention. Alas for the St Mary’s side they failed to capitalise on this before the half.

The game remained in the balance at this stage at this stage as neither side was able to break the deadlock, as defences remained difficult to penetrate, as they only managed one point a piece in the next fifteen minutes, as free takers Paddy Kelly and Johnny McAleese proved their worth.

It was the Casements side who were to finish the half in a flurry though as they registered three further points in the final five minutes. Marty McCarry who was proving a handful for the Rasharkin defence offloaded to Dermot McAleese who despatched his second point of the evening in the 25th minute. Paddy Kelly followed this up with another free from off the ground, before McAleese sent the umpire reaching for the white flags for a seventh time before the end as he notched over another score assisted by McCarry once again.

Rasharkin failed to generate any scoring threat through the half as they were unable to unlock a resilient Portglenone, who finished the half in control, leading by four, with the scores 0-07 to 1-01.

Portglenone began the half like the finished the first; in control and demonstrating this on the score board. Rasharkin’s fouling continued to give their neighbours ammunition which allowed them to add to their tally. Paddy Carey did brilliantly to surge forward before being hauled to the ground, giving Kelly another opportunity to stretch their lead, which he duly obliged.

Rasharkin responded very well though and kicked their first point from play after 36 minutes. Paul Doherty began the move when turning possession over in his own half before finding Johnny McAleese who applied the finishing touch to split the posts from 35 yards.

The Game went through a period of lack lustre quality for the next ten minutes where only the single was registered. This though proved to be a significant score as Portglenone achieved come breathing space when they achieved the goal that was threatening the entire game. It must be noted it arose in the most fortunate of circumstances as Paddy Kelly’s effort, which was wide bound, took a massive deflection of the Rasharkin full back, Aidy Scullion, to eventually find its way to the net.  A devastating blow to the Rasharkin men’s aspirations, as Portglenone stretched their lead to six. Further drama was to occur as th3e game took a new lease of life heading into the final ten minutes, as Rasharkin earned themselves a life line when McAleese found the net following an exchange of passes which eventually allowed him to fire from close range, cutting the deficit to three. St Mary’s deserve credit as although they were unable to create and contest to their potential they still found themselves in a position to progress. The game’s intensity increased at this stage as both teams displayed valiant efforts to win possession.

It was the Casement’s side though who was to prevail from the tie as their defensive structure remained strong snuffing out a number of attacks, allowing them to build and create attacks. They were unlucky to achieve a second goal after Marty McCarry’s flicked effort struck the cross bar, but nevertheless created enough shooting opportunities to progress. Portglenone registered three points in the final ten minutes, compared to Rasharkin who only managed one.

The game remained intense until the very end, but the result was beyond any doubt, despite increasing Rasharkin pressure. Paddy Kelly kicked the last of the day in the 65th minute through a superb long ranged effort from the ground, securing Portglenone’s place in the final and leaving the scores at the final whistle, 1-11 to 2-03.

This was a fine display from the Casements’ side who were well worth their victory. Rasharkin will be severely disappointed with their performance and the result of the game as they lacked the footballing competitiveness to compete with their old foes. The Casements side will take great confidence from the victory as they make another final, looking to put an end to their elusive hunt for Championship glory.