The club’s footballers made the journey to Strabane to face an Artigarvan side yet to pick up a point this season and were made to rue missed opportunities as they came back down the Derry road empty handed.
Artigarvan found themselves 2 down inside 15 minutes with both goals coming from similar circumstances. Corners floated into the area found an Artigarvan player who had got the better of counterpart Steven Young.
Limavady grew into the game though and had good spells of possession and attacking play but lacked that cutting edge up front. As the first half was coming to an end Limavady had a great shout for a penalty turned down when Gary Miller nipped in front of the Artigarvan keeper to intercept the ball and was subsequently brough down. No penalty said the referee. Right on the stroke of half time striker Miller got on the scoresheet with a close range finish with Trevor Banks providing the assist.
The rugby club men pushed and pushed in the second half but were unable to make the Artigarvan side pay and credit to Artigarvan they smartly played on the counter attack causing Limavady some problems. Both sides hit the woodwork and both keepers pulled off some good saves towards the end of the game.
The game finished 2-1 to Artigarvan in what was a very disappointing day for the Roesiders with manager Colly Hartin stating during the following week that it’s the first game he has ever lost sleep over. As the saying goes, you learn more in defeat than you do in victory.
LRFC Starting XI:
GK: Seamy McAteer
CB: John Stewart
CB: Simon Irwin
CB: Blane McIlmoyle
RW: James Smyth
LW: Jonny Cottle
CM: Peter Irwin
CM: Steven Young
CM: Bobby Gordon
FW: Trevor Banks
FW: Gary Miller
Man of the Match: Blane McIlmoyle
