USL: A brace from Garbhan Friel ensured Cockhill Celtic started their League Cup campaign on a winning note at Swilly Park yesterday afternoon.
The home side under the new management of former Swilly player Aaron Rogan performed well against a strong Cockhill Celtic outfit.
Gavin Cullen’s side scored two goals in a minute midway through the 1st half and added a third 15mins into the 2nd half to kill the tie as a contest.
Swilly scored late on with a goal in which the home team’s effort richly deserved.
Swilly started with five new debutants and they held their own in the opening 20mins with McColgan in the Swilly goals saving from Paul McKinney.
Gavin Cullen’s team were awarded a harshly disputed penalty on 25mins when the referee decided that Derek Dohertys cross was handled by Sean Crossan.
Up stepped Garbhan Friel who blasted to the net giving McColgan no chance. James Bradley doubled the away sides tally when he ran unopposed inside the Swilly area and shot from 8yds to score.
Swilly’s first chance came on 33mins when a superb cross from Daniel O’Donnell was inches away from Dylan Hegartys head who was standing free at the back post.
Friel should have scored on 35mins when through on goal but shot well over the bar.
The home side had two great chances in the last 5mins of the half when firstly Duncan Patterson heads against the post after a Toland corner. Then it was the turn of young Michael Devine who vollied narrowly wide from 6yds after Patterson put in an excellent cross.
Garbhan Friel got his sides third goal and doubled his own tally when side footing to the net from 12yds after great work by Derek Doherty. The same player missed his hat trick when shooting wide from about 3yds after Gerry Gill set him up. The physical strength and height advantage of the reigning Champions made it difficult for the home side and they got a goal on 85mins when Devine broke through, his shot was blocked by Cullen but the ball fell to Laurence Toland to score.
On this standing, Cockhill Celtic will still be the team to beat and had Friel, Gill & Bradley as their star players. For the home side, Crossan, Toland & McGuinness were the best.
Swilly Rovers – JP McColgan, Duncan Patterson, Sean Crossan, Johnny McGuinness, Dylan Hegarty, Barry Mooney, Daniel O’Donnell, Sean Rogan, Michael Devine, Laurence Toland, Corey Hegarty. Subs:Marty McDaid, Shay Durning & Brad Patterson
Cockhill Celtic – Gavin Cullen, Darren Coyle, Jason Breslin, Peter Doherty, William O’Conner, James Bradley, Derek Doherty, Gerald McLaughlin, Paul McKinney, Garbhan Friel, Gerry Gill. Subs :Johnny Havlin, Oisin McColgan, Daniel M McLaughlin, Darra McDermott & Martin McLaughlin.
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