RGU Notes And Match Report

Senior men put in a workmanlike performance on Friday evening at PTR to secure the points against a stubborn Annaclone team. Although the game was very scrappy throughout  there was no stopping John Connolly who had an outstanding individual performance, scoring a goal and 7 points writes Michael Starkey. Things didn’t start out too well for the Hoops, with the opposition scoring 4 unanswered points in the first 7 minutes. But the lads got a point on the board in the 8^th minute when Conolly sprang into life, after a good run from Sean Bell. One minute later Andrew Telford provided the vital ball for Connolly which he duly put in the net to equal the scores. Jarlath Branagan then traded two points with the opposition before Connolly got back into action, scoring four more points to bring his first half tally to 1-5. The half time score read 1-8 to 0-6 in favour of the Hoops, and they should have had two goals very early in the second half, which would have ended the game as a contest, but it wasn’t to be. Instead the Hoops had to fight to the death to preserve their lead and eventually seal the victory. Had James Deeny not  managed to keep the ball out of the net on two occasions, things would have have ended in tears. Even after Annaclone were reduced to 14 men in the 48^th minute, the Hoops failed to stamp their authority on the game and struggled to play with any apparent purpose or fluency. A further red card  for Annaclone with 5 minutes remaining didn’t help their cause and eventually the Hoops held on for a winning margin of 1-11 to 0-10. Best for the Hoops was obviously John Connolly, but another to stand out was Andrew Telford, whose pace and intelligent use of the ball gave the supporters some value for money. At the end of the day a win is a win, no matter how ugly or pretty  it happens to be, and with only three league games remaining it is vital that we get at result at Drumgath next Friday evening. The U-16’s kept the momentum going in the Summer League with a great win over rivals Kilcoo on Sunday morning. Going into the game with quite a few personnel either injured or on holidays it was never going to be easy against a team which was never going to lie down and accept defeat. Having enjoyed an excellent performance into the wind in the first half the young Hoops were leading by 3 points at the break. However with both RGU mid fielders picking up injuries, and no replacements for them, Kilcoo fought their way back into the game and were leading by 2 points with 7 minutes to go. The lads then dug deep into their reserves and played the best 7 minutes of football of their lives. Showing great courage, patience, tenacity and skill, they finished the game with 2 goals and 3 points to eventually win by a scoreline of 5-9 to 3-8. Next Saturday morning we will host the annual RGU U-10 blitz. We will be entering 2 teams in what is always a very entertaining competition, with teams joining us  from all over the provence. This is your last chance to order the new Club wind cheater which is £18.50 for children, and £20 for adults, contact Roisin Hampton on 07795107288. For new Club polo shirts contact Roisin Polly on 07871744103: cost £20, usual conditions apply. Lotto numbers for this week were 5, 6, 19, and 25. Jackpot not won, 7 share £100. Next week’s jackpot £3100. For party bookings ring Brian on 07745496213. If you have any club information/ announcements or match reports which you would like to have included in next week’s Club Notes, please send the details via email to rgu1@hotmail.co.uk. Our web site is updated on a regular basis. For all the latest news go to www.rgudownpatrick.com]]>