OLV 1(R.CONNOLLY) MARKIEVCZ CELTIC 3

OLV SQUAD ;                               MARK McCABE ,

                     GARRETH DONOVAN ,MARTIN DUNICAN ,WILLIE MURPHY ,
                                                         DAVE KELLY ,
                             ANTO KELLY ,JAMES COATES(C),JAMES McCABE ,
                              IAN CLIFFORD ,PAT HEARY ,MARK MATTHEWS.
    ANTO MAHER ,ANTO CONNOLLY ,PHIL LOWNDES ,RORY CONNOLLY ,DECO

MANAGER ;JOHN LOWNDES.

OLV were looking for a good result to follow their brilliant performance in the cup on their last outing but it wasn't to be as an offside goal and a 30 yard screamer were the difference against Markievcz celtic ,the away team started much quicker and had plenty of attacks early on but the OLV defense were on top form and any shots Markievcz had were from long range and didn't trouble keeper McCabe too much ,OLV's first effort didn't come until 15 minutes when Matthews raced on to a fine through ball and his well struck low shot was tipped around the post by the keeper ,OLV were starting to get into the game now and they had a couple of good efforts that would have went in on any other day ,this purple patch didn't last too long as Markievcz got back into the game and took the lead when a mix-up in the home defense allowed an attacker (who was at least 2yrds offside) to run through and score past McCabe ,OLV didn't let their heads drop and they came out fighting from the tip-off and had a long period of very good play and almost total possession that should have yielded at least one goal but it wasn't to be and they were lucky not to conceed again as Markievcz played well on the counter-attack but OLV's back four were brilliant and stood firm to deal with anything that came their way  ,the half played out with both teams having good chances but the scoreline remaining in Marks favour.


HALFTIME 0-1


John Lowndes made three changes at half time and the new players all fitted in straight away as OLV went looking for a goal ,the very strong wind that was now whipping up made it difficult for both teams to play and the game went through a scappy period but OLV came out on top as they once more took hold of the game and scored the equalizer when Pat Heary's 25yrd belter was tipped on to the bar and when the ball came out to the edge of the box Rory Connolly's fine shot went into the back of the net with the help of a slight deflection ,from the tip-off Marks came back into the game and had all the play for quiet a while,they scored another goal this time from a corner as the wind seemed to hold the ball up and as the home keeper and defenders were caught underneath it a Markievcz  player was on hand to head the ball into the goal ,OLV went on all out attack looking for another goal to bring the game back level and they had a couple of decent chances but the away keeper was in good form and he dealt with any shots well ,Markievcz sealed the win with an absolute beauty when their number 10 picked the ball up 30yrds from goal and let go a rocket that went into the top corner ,the game played out without much more incident .

FULLTIME 1-3

Once again the result didn't match how well the lads played as everybody had a good game and played really well but a couple of players deserve a mention for top class performances ,Dave Kelly has made a real difference in the midfield-defence link role ,Garreth and Martin were super in dealing with the attackers and James Coates as usual put his body on the line with his hard tackling and drive.