Newry Olympic 3-4 Raphoe

Newry Olympic firsts hosted Raphoe at the Belfast Road in the first of their Phase 2 games in the Premier League.

The match turned out to be a seven goal thriller, which in the end went the way of the Donegal visitors.

It was Newry who took the lead in the first quarter, with Colin Holmes firing home from a short corner. It should have been two just minutes later, but Colin McKnight was unable to convert from a penalty stroke.

A number of umpiring decisions went against the home side as Raphoe fought their way back into the game and they eventually got back on level terms in the second quarter. The Donegal men then went 2-1 up just before the half time break, after a controversial short corner was awarded.

The Raphoe comeback seemed to play in Newry’s head and they lost some concentration in the third quarter, allowing Raphoe to score two more quick-fire goals to go 4-1 up.

The Olympic team did not give up however. Despite having lost Andrew Shekleton to a nasty facial injury from a raised defender's stick, the home side continued to push forward.

It was Colin Henning who reacted quickest to a rebound from a short corner, flicking the ball high into the net to pull one back. Newry were soon back within one goal when Colin McKnight beat the keeper from another short corner variation with five minutes left.

Unfortunately Olympic couldn't find the equaliser and the game ended 4-3 to Raphoe, much to the relief of their travelling squad.

Newry Olympic

R. McGivern, C Henning, C Holmes, A Baird, J Greer (Capt), I Steen, N Davenport, C McKnight, P McKnight, K McWilliams, A Shekleton, G Moffett, J Porter, C Large, J Gregg