Derby clash is marred by injury

Rathfriland Swifts 2

Moneyslane 5

RATHFRILAND Swifts hosted Moneyslane in the big local derby match at Ingram Park on Tuesday evening last.

And despite Rathfriland conceding the game with eight minutes left on the clock due to the bad arm injury sustained by young Matthew McKnight, the visitors deserved their win on the night.

Rathfriland were a goal down within a minute with Johnny Keraghan poking the ball home after what appeared to be a foul on the home goalkeeper, but the Swifts responded well with Joey Toal crossing well for Micky Morgan to head home the equaliser in the 10th minute.

The game was getting fast and furious with Rathfriland creating a couple more decent chances, but it was Moneyslane who took the lead when Kernaghan broke down the left and crossed well for Mark Ervine to loop a header high into the net.

A mistake in the Rathfriland midfield allowed Mark Ervine to break and round the `keeper to make it 3–1 before half time although young Kernaghan again thumped the crossbar with a thunderous drive from outside the box.

Both teams had chances before half time but on the half time whistle the visitors led 3–1.

The second half was only minutes old when McCann broke free and lobbed the ball over the advancing Allen to make it 4–1 while the same player scored his second of the game with a controlled finish at the back post after a cross from the left.

The Swifts pulled a goal back when Paul Campbell headed into the net to make it 5–2 but unfortunately with eight minutes remaining the game was held up by a nasty arm injury to young Matthew McKnight.

Rathfriland conceded the game and in the end were not necessarily beaten by a better team but by a team who played better on the night and deserved their win.

TEAM: Gavin Allen, Lee McDowell, Gavin Duffy, Alan Murray, Brian Magennis, David Gilmore, Joe Toal, Ryan Monaghan, Micky Morgan, Keith Megaw, Kyle Heslip. Subs: Anthony Cunningham, Philip Johnston, Paul Campbell, Niall Maginn, William Morrison.

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