Raphoe were always going to be underdogs going into this game, against a side that are unbeaten and dominating the Leinster Premier League this season so far.
Corinthians 6 Raphoe 0
Despite this the Donegal side really put it up to the opposition and asked questions of them for the vast majority of he game. But as is often the case with hockey, a relatively tight game can end with a very one sided scoreline with a flurry of late goals.Â
The first fifteen minutes saw Raphoe playing some excellent hockey and moving the ball well.
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Luke Witherow beat several defenders and won his side the first penalty corner of the game. Alexander Tinney sent a powerful drag flick goal wards but the keeper saved well.
Midway through the half and arguably against the run of play at the time, Corinthians broke the deadlock.
Raphoe defender Simon Goudie was adjudged to have pushed the attacker in the back as he was entering the circle, resulting in a penalty stroke. Corinthians Jonny Bruton converted well to go 1-0 up.
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The Dublin side controlled play for the remainder of the half and doubled their lead when a well worked passing move found Bruton again, who had an easy finish in front of goal. The half ended 2-0 to the home side.Â
Despite being 2-0 down Raphoe were very positive at half time. They played some good hockey in the half, the work rate was excellent and they were handling Corinthians well. Captain Ian McGonigle wanted more of the same in the second half and knew if his side were patient goal opportunities would come.Â
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Both sides shared the early exchanges, with neither keeper having much to do. Ten minutes in however Corinthians extended their lead further, this time from a penalty corner. Stephen Rao’s shot from the top of the circle was almost stopped by Keith Meehan on the line, but the ball deflected off his stick and went high into the net. Raphoe’s best chances fell to Alan Lyttle and Kit Regan.
Lyttle had one shot go narrowly wide of the post and he mistimed another. Regan came close at the back post when he tried to deflect home a good ball played in by Goudie.
But again the Corinthians keeper pulled off a superb save. Raphoe lacked the killer blow to get them back in the game. The long bus journey and a small squad started to play a factor late in the game.Â
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Corinthians started to open up a tiring Raphoe side and scored three late goals from open play. Jonny Bruton getting his hat trick and David Howard and Glenn Holmes getting their name on the score sheet also. Tinney came close again from a late penalty corner but it was to be the Corinthian keepers day, with a clean sheet.
If Raphoe managed to convert some of their early chances it may have been a different game but well done to a very strong Corinthians team and good luck in the next round.
Raphoe have two tough tests in the next two weeks in the Ulster Premier League, with Annadale at home this Saturday with a 2.30Â p.m push back. Then top side Cookstown at home the following week.Â
Raphoe: Jonny Rankin, Paul Stewart, Evan Lyttle, Alan Meehan, Ian McGonigle, Alexander Tinney, Luke Witherow, Keith Meehan, Â Alan Lyttle, William Kilpatrick, Simon Goudie, Kit Regan.
