Limavady Rugby FC welcomed Belfast side Cumann Spoirt an Phobail to the John Hunter Memorial Grounds in the 1st round of the Irish Junior cup.
The visitors deservedly took the lead after 15 minutes when a cross from their right was headed in at the far post.
They doubled their lead 10 minutes later when Limavady centre half Simon Irwin misplaced a pass straight to the visitor’s striker who dispatched past Liam Wilson in the Limavady goal.
The Roesiders got back in the game 10 minutes before half time when a Cumann centre half was caught in possession by Limavady midfielder Oisin Fleming who squared for John Stewart to lob the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.
Half time score LRFC 1 – 2 Cumann Spoirt
The second half started much in the same vein as the first with the visitors dominating the ball and Limavady seeking to frustrate and hit on the counter attack.
This approach almost led to an equaliser for Limavady when Peter Irwin was slipped through on goal by John Stewart but the Limavady captain could only fire over the bar from 12 yards.
Limavady were made to rue this missed opportunity when Cumann Spoirt added their 3rd two minutes later.
The home side got back in the game when a free kick by Steven Young was parried by the away keeper and the ball fell to James Smyth to tap in from inside the 6 yard box.
5 minutes later the home side equalised when another free kick by Steven Young from virtually the same position as the first, this time found it’s way past the away keeper and into the far bottom corner.
The last 15 minutes of the game was real end to end stuff with chances at either end but it was the away side who deservedly claimed the victory when a shot from a tight angle was headed into the far corner from 6 yards out.
Final score: LRFC 3 – 4 Cumann Spoirt
Starting XI:
GK – Liam Wilson
RB – James Smyth
CB – Simon Irwin
CB – Fergal Hartin
LB – Sean McPoyle
RM – Ricky McMullan
CM – Steven Young
CM – Oisin Fleming
CM – Bobby Gordon
LM – Peter Irwin
CF – John Stewart
Subtitutes:
Blane McIlmoyle (replaced S. Irwin – 65 mins)
Odhran Campbell (replaced P. Irwin – 65 mins)
Andy Irwin (replaced R. McMullan – 80 mins)
Man of the Match: Steven Young
