Missed chances cost Rathfriland Swifts
Rathfriland were strong right from the off and could have been a goal up early on had Lee Mackin put his shot anywhere else inside the goal frame.
David Hollingsworth then blazed over from inside the box after a great headed pull back by Paul Gibbons. Mark Connolly then went close from a great free kick but on the half hour the visitors broke away and what appeared to be a lack of communication on the Swifts' part was capitalised on by a great flowing Celtic move which they finished neatly with a low shot to make it 1-0.
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Hide AdThe home side then lost Niall Fitzpatrick after two bookings but William Morrison could have levelled it if he had shot instead of pulling back after a great run. Armagh Celtic were big and strong and could have had another but for a brilliant tip over by Rippon leaving the half time score 1–0.
In the second half one would have struggled to tell which of the sides were operating with a man less such was Rathfriland`s workrate and effort.
Rathfriland forced a few corners with Paul Gibbons scooping just over from close in while Connolly again fired over from a free kick after the Celtic `keeper completely levelled Lee Mackin with a high reckless scythe on the edge of the box – needless to say he saw red for his challenge.
Rathfriland suffered a real kick in the teeth when a second lapse allowed the bustling Celtic strikers to break away and score from close range.
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Hide AdWithin five minutes the home side pulled a goal back when Paul Campbell scored from 10 yards with a low shot after a rebound from a another corner kick. Rathfriland continued to push but in the end they just fell short of taking the game into extra time.
Overall a decent performance by the Swifts – good attitude, effort and workrate especially playing for an hour or so with a man down but they will rue their missed chances which ultimately was the difference between the two sides.
TEAM: Connor Rippon, Simon Groves, William Morrison, Alan Murray, Brian Magennis, Paul Gibbons, Niall Fitzpatrick, Ryan Monaghan, Lee Mackin, David Hollingsworth, Mark Connolly. Subs: Philip Johnston, Paul Campbell, Connell Jackson.