Lurgan Celtic V Dunmurry Rec
Saturday 11th December 2010
Team: Warnock, McDonnell, Larmour, Larkin, Fenton, Lennon, Hewitt, Rooney, Finnegan, Rutherford, C Arnott
Subs: J Arnott, Redpath, Hughes, Moore
After a three week lay off, the Rec got down to business in the 4th Round of the JJB Sports Irish Cup. The trip to Lurgan was short and the playing surface a credit after all the recent bad weather.
The game opened with a high tempo and the Rec carved out the first real chance in the third minute when Rooney running down the middle slipped the ball to Colin Arnott who took the ball slightly wide and his shot was blocked for a corner kick. Both sides competed well and the next chance came on the Rec goal. The Celtic No.8 cuts inside and Phillie who stands up well tips the shot over the bar for a Celtic corner. The Rec were a real match for their higher opponents and carved out three half chances in quick succession with Arnott, Rutherford and Rooney, all chances were blocked by some rear guard action in the Celtic box. Another swift Rec. attack sees Hewitt slip the ball to Rutherford to Arnott with the final pass to long for Arnott to connect. “Goal” 14th minute – Finnegan on the half way shows some neat touches on the ball and lays a super ball to Rutherford. Big Ricky keeping his feet and shrugs off his marker creates enough space and neatly plants the ball home for the opener. The Celts were stung by this set back and they created the next chance when from a corner both the No8 & 5 see a gifted chance goes wide of the back post. Larkin was superb in defence and a match for all celtic could throw at the Rec. 32nd minute Finnegan releases Arnott who pulls his shot across goal with no attacker in sight. Finnegan in the box receives a great pass on his chest the ball would not fall quick enough for the wee man to get a strike on goal when well place 5 yards out.
46 minutes “Goal” for the Celtic when given to much space the No8 plants the ball past Warnock for 1 – 1.
2nd half
For the first fifteen minutes of the second half the game was very even and both sides only creating half chances. The Celtic were making the running at this stage and on 19 minutes the No 7 strikes the base of the post after a neat run down the left flank. Redpath replaces Finnegan. “Goal” Penalty to the Rec after Rutherford is felled in the box. The big man came in for some rough treatment all afternoon (well done for keeping your head) Ricky spots the ball and blasts home to give Dunmurry the lead.
Sub: Hughes replaces Lennon – Booked Redpath for a heavy challenge.
Sub: Moore for Rutherford
Larkin was a tower in defence and made important clearances all afternoon.
36th minute sees Redpath wide on the left, beat his marker and with a one on one with the keeper the keeper blocks. The half now on 46 minutes see the second penalty of the game go to Celtic, harshly awarded for a hand ball against Hughes. Score ( 2 – 2)
Extra Time
Both sides were very evenly matched and with heavy legs the game was stretched. The best chance again fell to Redpath who had a great chance to kill the game. At the final whistle the Celtic No7 was sent off for a head butt on Rooney.
Penalty Kicks
All five of the Rec. spot kicks were well taken with Larmour’s the cream of the bunch. Down to the very last kick and the Celtic player stuttered and Warnock diving to his left saved.
Well done the boys – With the draw on Wednesday for the next round, the Rec are in the last 32 of the most Senior competition in the Country.
Man of Match: Paddy Larkin – Happy Birthday big man (closely followed by Rutherford and Rooney)
