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NYGAA Rockland opens new pitch with dramatic victory

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

By Pierce O’Reilly

Rockland 2-6, Tyrone 1-7

Playing in front of a huge home crowd, and on the historic occasion of the opening of their own field, Rockland kept their best football until late. Almost too late. The Rockies hit the net with two minutes to go to steal victory from the jaws of defeat and send their supporters wild in celebrations.

Tyrone were the better side over the hour, but John Moore’s men just couldn’t put the ball between the posts. The full forward line, or the Sloan line, of Paddy, Mark and Mike Sloan were dangerous from the opening whistle. They had pace, ability and craft, but no matter how they tried, they couldn’t score. Wayward shooting and terrible distribution robbed the Ulstermen of their first victory of the season. The alarm bells will definitely ring next Sunday if Westmeath beat the Red Handers.

Lucky Rockland, on the other hand, now have four points from three starts. John Fitzpatrick is a happy man and his student imports of late were well worth the air fare.

Mike Fitzpatrick was always to the fore at center forward and with Fisher Fitzgerald and Gerry O’Riordan hitting early points, they kept in contention. Weekend import and Sligo senior Fergal O’Flaherty put Tyrone two points up after 15 minutes, but then disaster struck as Fisher, Fitzpatrick and O’Riordan linked to send the ball to the back of the Tyrone net. Goal number one and the home crowed were in full song.

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The home side had a two point advantage at the interval, 1-4 to 0-5, yet Tyrone always looked like striking back. At the back Tyrone were water-tight. Kieran Ryan, Martin Slowey and John Cormican were outstanding, and with Collie Fearon moving upfield with ease, they snuffed out most of the Rockland attacks.

It was at the other end, however, where Tyrone struggled, hitting a total of 15 wides over the hour. When wing back John McGuinness struck for the late goal at the end of the second half, the Rockies had two points to spare. Tyrone were rocked and no matter how they tried, the equalizing score would not come. They did manage to narrow the gap to one point from a free, but Rockland held out with Tom O’Riordan and Jimmy O’Flynn soaking up loads of pressure at the back.

Rockland: J. Dwyer, R. Lennon, J. O’Flynn, T. O’Riordan, J. McGuinness 1-0, M. Kennedy, Sean Roche, Paddy Corcoran, Tom McHugh, K. Golden 0-1, M. Fitzpatrick 0-4, D. Fitzgerald 0-1, T. Acton, M. Healy, G. O’Riordan 1-0. Subs: T. Fennell, E. Woods, R. Barrett.

Tyrone: A. McCann, E. Donnelly, P. Giles, M. Slowey 0-1, C. Fearon, K. Ryan 0-1, J. Cormican, R. Breen, R. Brennan 0-1, D. Curley 0-1, F. O’Flatherty 0-2, J. Murray, M. Sloan 1-1, P. Sloan, M. Sloan. Subs: D. Barr, C. McCarthy, P. McNamee, D. Flannegan.

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