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O'Neill goal inspires Dromore to victory

Ulster Club FC Quarter-final replay/ Dromore 1-9 Mayobridge 1-7 : A goal midway through the second half by Dromore substitute…

Mon Nov 12 2007 - 00:00

Ulster Club FC Quarter-final replay/ Dromore 1-9 Mayobridge 1-7: A goal midway through the second half by Dromore substitute Conor O'Neill inspired his side to victory over Down champions Mayobridge in this Ulster club football quarter-final replay in Páirc Esler, Newry yesterday.

Dromore played with confidence in defence where Cathal McCarron and Ryan McMenamin excelled. Mick Garry was prominent at midfield. But it was full forward Shaun O'Neill who was the star player. He slotted over six of his side's points and gave the Mayobridge defence a harrowing time despite the best efforts of Brendan Grant, Shane O'Hare and Gavin Barry.

The Mayobridge attack promised a lot but achieved little with Michael Walsh and Ronan Sexton being best while Benny Coulter, apart from a few good pieces of fielding, was very quiet.

Dromore started brilliantly with points from Shaun O'Neill and Stephen Fitzpatrick in the opening minute. Mayobridge levelled after six minutes through Michael Walsh and Noel Sexton, both from frees. Twice points were exchanged before Mayobridge, with points from Benny Coulter and Ronan Sexton, forged ahead.

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Shaun O'Neill then landed two points for Dromore to leave the sides level at half-time, 0-6 each.

Two minutes into the second half Benny Coulter set up Conor Garvey for a goal but Dromore came back with two points. Then came Conor O'Neill's goal, which regained the lead, and Shaun O'Neill rounded off a brilliant team performance with a point five minutes from time.

DROMORE: P Ward; F O'Neill, C McCarron, S McDonnell; Seán O'Neill, R McMenamin, R McNabb; B Collins, M, Garry; S Fitzpatrick (0-1), C McCullagh, S McMahon; E McCusker (0-2), Shaun O'Neill (0-6), R Gallagher. Subs: C O'Neill (1-0)for R Gallagher; H McNulty for B Collins; K O'Brien for S Fitzpatrick.

MAYOBRIDGE: L Coulter; G Barry, B Grant, R Rodgers; S O'Hare, K O'Hare, B Rooney; J Caldwell, E Woods; A Barry (0-1), M Walsh (0-3), R Sexton (0-1); N Sexton (0-1), C Garvey (1-0), B Coulter (0-1). Subs: M Lively for R Rodgers; C Magee for C Garvey; S Grant for B Rooney; R Coulter for A Barry.

Referee: B Crowe(Cavan).