“ El Classico “ Abandoned Early

A record crowd of 71 people turned up on a beautiful Sunday morning to watch the much anticipated derby match, between Lisahally and Maydown. The strathfoyle men brushed their rivals aside, leading 4 goals to nil before the match ultimately had to be called to an end. Goals from Cathal O kane, Barry Murray, Noel O’ Donnell and Conor Mullan sealed the victory as Lisahally cruise further towards that premier league promotion. The real talking point came around the 70th minute when experienced left back Brian Devine suffered a serious injury to his ankle, which resulted in the match to be called to an end.

Following the disappointment of their first defeat last week to Bentleys, Lisahally were determined to put that behind them and return to their winning ways. There were some changes to the team that lost to The Bentley last week. ‘Hard Hitting’ Decky Brown had to fill in at left back as the inspired Aidy O Kane was ruled out due to an ankle injury. Tenancious midfielder Noel Coyle partnered Noel O Donnell in the centre of the park while young Cathal O Kane happily started for a second week in a row on the left wing. Interestingly enough, defensive lynchpin Kieran McGlinchey sat on the side lines but only as a spectator. A fact that the young centre half is still finding hard to accept . McGlinchey had this to say :

“ There is nothing worse than a man like myself to be sat here on the side of pitch on Sunday morning. This will not happen next week but I can assure you it will not be Lissa I will be playing for. I have got my transfer to Downeys and hopefully I will be starting for them next week. The free pint and bag of mega meanies was too tempting to reject.”

The Maydown team fielded a few Strathfoyle men themselves as towering centre half Brain O Kane partnered former Lisahally man Davey Kennedy in defence, while the versatile Christopher ‘Packy’ Maguire started in the heart of the Maydown midfield.

The Strathfoyle men started the brighter of the two sides as Lisahally almost scored 20 seconds into the game when a cross from young Cathal O Kane picked out Barry Murray in the Maydown penalty area but his shot went inches wide. The first real chance of the game came in the 10th minute when midfield ace Noel O Donnell dropped a pass over the top of the Maydown defence, which hard tackling Emmett Kirk latched onto. The Lisahally forward charged into the box only to be brought down by former Lisahally man Davey Kennedy and the referee had no choice but to award a penalty. Shouts from the Lisahally management ordered captain Noel O Donnell to take the penalty as the reliable Jai White had missed a penalty two weeks before, O Donnell was not interested in what the managers had to say as he went over to the centre half and told him to take the penalty. Jai confidently stepped up as he took the long nervous walk to the other end of the pitch, only for his penalty to ricochet off the post out for a goal kick, much to the disappointment of the Lisahally players and fans alike. Spirits were soon lifted though 10 minutes later as hardworking left back Decky Brown exploited a huge gap in the Maydown defence as he released Cathal O Kane down the left hand side of the pitch. The young left winger could not believe the amount of space he found himself in as he approached the Maydown box, only to be caught in two minds on whether to cross the ball or shoot. A huge shout from the sideline urged the young man to shoot which he had no hesitation to oblige with a low shoot which went through his brother and Maydown centre half Brian Okane legs and found the bottom right corner of the net. Cathal, a former Maydown player himself, was delighted to have scored past the team that never really give him a chance as a youngster and he made sure he celebrated in style. Ten minutes later, the Strathfoyle men added a second as a cross from midfield dynamo Peter Doherty found Emmett Kirk on the left hand side of the Maydown penalty area, who then shifted the ball back across the box to the feet of Barry Murray who struck a weak shot that appeared to be in slow motion but yet somehow trickled over the line. The rest of the first half remained a one sided affair as Lisahally calmly controlled possession with Maydown offering little in response. It was only a matter of time before the Strathfoyle men added the third and it came from some great work down the right hand side of the pitch when self styled role model Mark Duffy made a good run into space and then supplied a pinpoint cross into the box which captain Noel O Donnell coolly finished from close range. The third goal seemed to spark something in the poor Maydown team as they made there first attack on the stroke of half time, as a long range shot from a midfielder had Watty the Lisahally keeper scrambling across his net, only for the shot to bounce of the outside of the post. The first half came to an end along with shouts from loyal Lisahally fan and local legend Ralph Dixon chanting, “Davey, Davey give us a wave!” Referring to former lisahally man Davey Kennedy who had a knightmare first half, much to the delight of the home fans.

The second half started much the same as the first half ended. With the home side producing all the chances only for the impressive Noel O Donnell to fire over the bar from inside the penalty area. Fifteen minutes into the half, the Lisahally bench began to think about resting players as the ever working ‘Iron’ Dan Collins replaced Peter Doherty on the right side of midfield, while powerhouse forward Conor Mullan replaced Emmett Kirk up front. It took just ten minutes for the powerhouse striker to make his mark on the game as the former Maydown man dispossessed one of his best friends, towering centre half Brain O Kane, on the edge of the Maydown box. Mullan produced a fine finish into the bottom corner of the net to make it four nil and ultimately finish the match. The major talking point of the whole match came with just twenty minutes remaining as Brain Devine came on and replaced midfielder Noel ‘Backspin’ Coyle. The experienced left back went into a tough challenge with one of the Maydown strikers only to come off much worst. Devine remained on the ground for five minutes before worry started to spread across the faces of players and fans alike. The whole crowd went onto the pitch to investigate and due to the shocking injury sustained to the Lisahally man, the referee had no choice but to call the match to an end. Lisahally claimed 3 more points and that one step closer to promotion but at what cost, as they may have lost one of their key players for the rest of the season.

After the match, the listener got an interview with young Cathal O Kane who could do nothing but express his delight in beating his former team :

"As I said before the match, I would terroise the Maydown defence and make my brother look a fool. I cant wait until im sitting down at the dinner table today with him, there will be some harsh words spoke but most importantly im happy to not only score but get the result."

Also, Rory Kirk issued an early statement on defender Brian Devines condition :

"Unfortunately, it is not good news for Brian. Early reports show that a bone in his ankle is broken. It is highly unlikely that the left back may play another game this season. We wish him all the best with his recovery."

Although alot of the Lisahally players appeared to be really upset about the injury picked up by one of their key players, they must try their best and put this behind them and go out next week and produce a performance much like today against title contenders Culmore.