SUPER LEAGUE: COOLANEY UNITED 2 STRAND CELTIC 3

This was a cracking game with the hoops dominant in possession and chances but Coolaney well organized and always threatening on the break. Coolaney park was in great condition and suited a passing game which both sides tried to play.

Hoops opened brightly with some good passing dominated by Caolite Bannigan and Cormac Murphy in the middle. The hoops went in front when a great bit of play by Mark McDaniel from a Shay DOherty pass released Dylan Martin who finished well to the bottom corner. McDaniel, Martin and Ross Doherty all went close to extending the lead. Then a quick breakaway by Coolnaey saw a good cut back finished by Enda Gallagher for an equaliser.

Strand were dominating possession but Coolaney were very well organised and always threatening on the break. The hoops had several chances before the break but the score remained tied at 1-1 going in at half time.

The second goal for strand came early in the half when the industrious Aaron O Boyle created a chance and Ross Doherty finished. The Doherty brothers were combining well down the left hand side of the strand attack.

Coolaney equalised when a long ball, after defending a strand corner, saw the impressive Ryan Gillen break clear and finish well to leave the game tied again. Gillen was a constant threat all day.

Despite a lot of pressure it looked like it might not be the hoops day. Then with ten minutes to go a good team move saw an excellent close range finish from Mark McDaniel give the hoops the lead. We had several chances to seal victory but failed to convert and it was Coolaney who finished the game applying pressure to the hoops rearguard.

At the end despite having more possession and chances it was a feeling of relief to get the three points and get our league campaign back on track.