FORTWILLIAM Park welcomes back Championship 1 football this Saturday when Tobermore United entertain Limavady United with a 3pm kick off.

Incredibly this will be Tobermore’s first home game since December 17th last year, and only their second competitive game in 2012, which is unacceptable at any level of football but despite the lack of games manager Oliver McAuley will be hoping that his side can reproduce the form they showed on their last outing 3 weeks ago against league leaders Ballinamallard when they narrowly lost 2-1 at Ferney Park.

Tobermore have already played Limavady twice this season recording a fine league win at the Showgrounds on the first day of the season and a few weeks later they knocked Limavady out of the Craig Memorial cup at Fortwilliam so it has the makings of a good game.

Limavady will be determined to stop Tobermore completing a hat trick of wins over their North West rivals.

Thankfully things are now back to normal with a full fixture list for March and April

Sat March 3rd V Larne (Home) IFA Championship 1 (2.00pm)

Sat March 10th V Institute (Away) IFA Championship 1 (3.00pm)

Sat March 17th V Warrenpoint (Home) IFA Championship 1 (3.00pm)

Sat March 24th V Bangor (Away) IFA Championship 1 (3.00pm)

Sat March 31st V Banbridge Town (Home) IFA Championship 1 (3.00pm)

Tobermore Mini Soccer sessions continue this Saturday in Maghera Recreation Centre, from 10.00 am until 11.00. Players as usual should come along kitted out ready to play with shin guards and trainers essential (not football boots).

The fun sessions are supervised by IFA accredited coaches and are open to all boys and girls of primary school age.

For more information visit www.tobermoreunitedfc.co.uk

THE MacRory Cup footballers of St Patrick’s Maghera will return to the Morgan Athletic Grounds in Armagh on Friday evening (7.30pm) for the semi-final of this year’s competition when they face no less an opposition than the reigning MacRory and Hogan Cup Champions in St Colman’s Newry. It will be a return to the ground also for the champions as they destroyed the St Mary’s Belfast challenge there last week in a quarter-final replay when they rattled over 17 points and probably should have added at least three goals to that tally such was their dominance and quality of performance. St Colman’s will be favourites for the game and the Maghera boys will certainly need to up their performance if they are to upset the odds in what is a clash of the traditional MacRory Cup giants from yesteryear.

St Colman’s will argue the case, and rightly so, that they have earned their way back to the top of the tree in Colleges football with their back to back MacRory and Hogan Cup successes of the past two years and they will look to extend that run to make it to a third successive MacRory Cup final. Their team may not have many survivors from last year but the winning of successive MacRory and Hogan Cups has certainly brought a swagger and confidence to their team which will ensure they will not tolerate defeat easily on semi-final day.

Maghera have been recent visitors to the Athletic Grounds when they came from behind to grab a late one point win over the other Newry school, Abbey CBS, in their quarter-final. They are at a disadvantage in that St Colman’s have been through two knock-out games at this stage while they also know the feeling of almost exiting the competition in that first game against Belfast. Maghera though will relate to the latter experience as despite periods of dominance against Abbey they struggled to put scores on the board and they will need to be much more assured in this department on Friday evening.

The Maghera team changed significantly during that Abbey game with all five subs coming in and contributing to the team’s get out of jail performance – which personnel will start on Friday becomes a very significant factor. St Patrick’s will need big performances at the back from team captain Conor McAtamney, Brendan Rogdgers, Conor McCarville and Oisin Hegarty if they are to keep the Colman’s sextet at bay. Ryan Duggan at midfield will need to work hard to get the better of either Noonan or Johnstone and this will be a crucial area for Maghera where their half forward line, and half backs, will need to be much sharper on breaking ball than was the case in the quarter-final. Gerard Bradley was the Maghera match winner in that game but can expect much closer attention from the Colman’s defence and St Patrick’s will need a much greater return from players like Peter Cassidy, Neil McNicholl and Paul Gunning if they hope to progress.

Both of the schools have a tremendous rivalry in this competition and each will be keen to come out on top in this game as St Colman’s aim for their third MacRory Cup final in a row while Maghera will want to return to the top table for the first time since 2003. The hardest working team and the team which displays the greatest level of team work will surely triumph on Friday – at the minute that vote would go to St Colman’s Newry.

The Ireland team to play Italy in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday has been named and coach Declan Kidney has opted for an unchanged lineup.

REIGNING U18 Ulster Vocational Schools, champions, Holy Trinity College, Cookstown, put their title on the line, when they clash with County rivals St.Ciaran’s Ballygawley, in Thursdays Markey Cup final, writes Jason Quinn.

As always with derby games, tensions will be high, but to spice things up a little in this encounter, HTC are jointly managed by two Ballygawley natives, the famous Peter Canavan and his Errigal Ciaran club mate, Adrian O’Donnell.

Both schools had fairly convincing victories in their opening ties, before a stern test for both in their semi–finals, setting them both up nicely for the decider. HTC started off with a facile 2-16 to 1-04 win, over last year’s beaten finalists, Rossas community school, from Donegal, with goals from Clonoe duo Danny McNulty and Daryll Magee. Up next in the semi- final, was Monaghan school, Ballybay, and had it not been for a first half injury time goal, again from Danny McNulty, who come on as a substitute, HTC would have found life difficult in the second half, having to play against a strong breeze, but they did enough to weather the storm and held on to eventually win, by 6 points, to keeping their dream alive of back to back Ulster titles.

St. Ciaran’s meanwhile breezed to victory over Donegal outfit, Glenties, with Sean Hackett, helping himself to a personal tally of 1.9, before accounting for Cavan outfit Virginia, with a hard fought four point win. A first half goal from Sean Murphy set them on the road, but it took a fantastic save, from keeper Paul O’Hagan in the second half, to keep his side in control. Both teams are laced with exceptionally talented players, with both sets of forwards having a keen eye for goal, so this one could possibly be decided, by the most disciplined and best organised defending team on the day.

HTC are backboned with players from last year’s successful team and that experience should stand them good stead. Michael Cassidy, Declan McClure, Ciaran McGeary and Ruari Mullan have all been in fine form for the Cookstown College to date, but they will have their work cut out for them, and will find St. Ciaran’s hotshot, Sean Hackett will take serious watching if they are to successfully defend their title.

A lot of these players will be very familiar with other, through club fixtures and been on county squads together, but for one hour come Thursday, friendships will be forgotten as will loyalty to the Ballygawley parish, for Holy Trinity’s management. This is sure to be an interesting tussle, one not to be missed, but HTC should have too much firepower to be surrendering their title, to St. Ciaran’s.

HOLY Trinity College will attempt to capture the McDevitt Cup (Under 14), Ulster Vocational Schools Title for the first time next Wednesday. The school has been defeated in two previous finals and this is the only Vocational Schools title that they have failed to win.

In their way stand Breffni College from Cavan, and Holy Trinity know that they will be difficult opponents to overcome. The path to the final has saw some super football played by the school, and after a narrow one point victory over St Ciarans, Ballygawley in the Tyrone final, Holy Trinity have had convincing wins over Gweedore of Donegal and Down champions St Mark’s Warrenpoint to reach the decider.

The game will throw in at 11:30 am in the Athletic Grounds Armagh on Wednesday 22nd February.

Cookstown 4 Annadale 2

COOKSTOWN recorded their fifth straight league victory after a convincing with over a youthful Annadale side. The Reds have enjoyed a superb week as they claimed 9 points out of 9 in their three league encounters.

Victories over NICS, Banbridge and Annadale have pushed the Coolnfranky outfit up the table.

The Reds settled the quicker in this game and soon had Dale under pressure but were lacking the final pass as Davy Smyth in the visitors defence marshalled his troops well. Twelve minutes into the game and Stephen Sloan made a great run along the bye line before finding Mark Crooks who opened the scoring.

Dale did not sit back and Fraser Mills squandered three half decent chances to bring his side back into the game. After 20 minutes Cookstown doubled their lead when the impressive Smyth sent Crooks free. Crooks hit the circle at pace and unleashed an unstoppable shot, off two boards, to the delight of the home support. With a couple of minutes remaining until the half. Crooks was again found in the circle by Greg Allen, and the young forward completed his hat-trick with a crafty and cheeky chop over the advancing keeper. So three up at half-time and the game seemed safe.

Dale came out stronger in the second half and soon had Cookstown under pressure. The visitors won a penalty corner and James Cox beat Hughes with a drag down the middle. Cookstown responded and a great run along the bye line by Allen resulted in a Sloan reverse strike going narrowly wide.

The Reds resumed their three goal lead when Smyth was able to bundle the ball over the goal-line from six inches, probably his best goal of the season to date. Yet again Andy Barbour put in a great shift in mid-field, his tackling and distribution was first class.

Play was evenly contested for the remainder of the game as Dale’s youngsters grew in confidence. Indeed Andy Smyth is putting together a decent side that will be a force to be reckoned with in the future as Annadale rebuild.

On the final whistle Annadale won a penalty corner which in turn resulted in another corner. Cox this time drove his drag into the net to leave the final scoreline 4-2 in Cookstown’s favour.

Next Saturday sees Kilkeel the visitors to Coolnafranky as Cookstown look to continue their recent impressive form.

Good luck to the second string who travel to Kilkeel for their Irish Junior Cup quarter final clash with a date at the National Hockey stadium awaiting the victors.

THE sheer weight of the Highfield pack, added to a succession of careless errors behind the scrum, proved too much for Rainey Old Boys at Woodleigh Park where the Leesiders defeated them 29-13.

Rainey never looked like winning the game, but showed admirable fighting qualities in the second half when they threatened to come away with a losing bonus point, but a wayward pass instead handed the bonus point to Highfield who should be capable of sustaining their challenge.

A stiff crossfield wind and a lively ball presented both sides with problems. After seven minutes, an impressive catch and drive, followed by a penalty, gave Highfield a great attacking position and another surge from the pack brought them an unconverted try in the corner.

A good kick and chase gave Rainey a similar opportunity, but Highfield were able to clear. The lighter Rainey forwards stood up well to the battering that the Field eight were handing out and were soon back on the attack, with O’Kane leading the way and getting good support to earn a penalty which out-half Martin kicked.

Highfield impressed up front with some great ball retention, but Rainey held on and had their own moments in favourable field positions, with their ball carriers receiving good support.

They made little impression, however, as Highfield worked a number of turnovers and in first-half injury time their own inadequacies were to make their task even harder. Highfield took full advantage when they made a mess of a tap penalty and their big forwards rumbled upfield to score a converted try.

Wilson, deputising for unavailable scrum-half Sciascia, relieved the pressure with a lovely break and Rainey were clearly gaining in confidence until yet another turnover halted their progress.

Rainey’s best bet was to get the ball wide and move the Highfield pack around the pitch, but some careless passing and handling ruined several chances.

Heaney was yellow carded for an illegal shoulder tackle which cost his side three points and Sufferin had to get back quickly to save the day as Highfield poured through again.

Highfield had a player yellow carded for killing the ball as Rainey sought to create gaps, but some dreadful mistakes put Rainey in trouble and a disputed penalty try made it 22-3 for Highfield.

By the final quarter Highfield’s big men were struggling to cover the ground and the Rainey backs began to string a few passes together. Centre Montgomery created the opening for a try by full-back Paul and three minutes later. Paul placed wing Campbell for another fine score.

With mismatches appearing now on a regular basis, Rainey tried to exploit space at every opportunity, but a slack pass put an abrupt end to their challenge. Highfield gleefully snapped up a gift try to put the issue beyond doubt and battened down the hatches in the closing minutes.

TEAM : R.Paul, A.Campbell, W.Montgomery, D.McMurray, M.McClelland, G.Martin, P.Wilson, S.McDowell, S.Sufferin, N.O’Kane, P.Boyle, N.Rankin, M.Shiels, P.Heaney, S.Hawe.

REPLACEMENTS: R.Hall (O’Kane 48) D.Dawson (Rankin 48) A.Clarke (McClelland 56) C.Donaghy (Sufferin 56) P.Stewart (Boyle 75)

Rainey’s next AIL game - Naas at home on March 3.

Saturday 25th February - Rainey v Queen’s - Ulster League - 2.30 p.m.

COAGH United sealed their place in the quarter finals of the Irish Cup with a stunning 4-1 victory over Newbuildings United at Hagan Park.

In front of a bumper crowd on Monday afternoon, Coagh dominated the tie and arguably should have scored more than the four they did convert.

Coagh co-manager Stephen Uprichard was ecstatic with the victory and admitted that everyone is looking forward to the Linfield tie.

“To be honest with you I wish I had not known who we were playing in the next round as it seemed to add quite a bit of pressure to the game.”

It took United two games to try and shake off the Londonderry outfit but Uprichard was delighted to progress and was extremely proud of his hard working charges.

“I thought the two games were two hard fought ties. For any of the smaller sides like ourselves and Newbuildings, to be in with a chance of reaching the quarter finals is superb. Getting to the last eight is a major achievement and facing Linfield is the icing on the cake.”

Coagh dominated the early stages of the tie as Scott and Gillespie failed to trouble Thornton in the Newbuildings goal.

Gillespie soon made up for his early miss as he slid the ball through to Park who slid the ball home to give the home side the lead.

Just like the first game, a goal was conceded almost straight from the kick off. Ricki Lee Doughtery pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the box and thundered the ball past the static Yorke in the Coagh goal.

Former Ballinamallard United front man Gillespie was proving to be a thorn in the side of the Newbuildings rearguard as he led the line superbly.

Newbuildings were relying on counter attacks and Doughtery was proving to be a real handful for Calderwood and Thornton.

Just before the half time whistle Scott delivered with pinpoint accuracy from a corner and Gillespie got up and thundered a header in past Thornton.

It was end to end stuff and Newbuidlings could have went in level if Aaron Thornton wasn’t on his toes. Calderwood misplaced his back pass and Yorke was left scrambling across his goal. Thornton got back in time to clear the danger.

The next goal in the tie was going to prove crucial and Coagh came out for the second half with all guns blazing.

Campbell saw his header tipped round the post as Coagh went in search of a third. Newbuildings made a raft of changes as they went in search of an equaliser. However, it was the home side who grabbed a crucial third. Campbell latched onto a through ball and cut inside and saw his effort deflect off a Newbuildings defender past Thornton to make it 3-1.

The best chance of the second half for the away side fell to the talismatic Dougherty, who saw his effort saved spectacularly by Yorke. Somehow the officials failed to spot the fine save and awarded a goal kick.

Coagh’s place in the last eight was sealed when Clarke was upended in the box and Gillespie slotted home to grab his second and make it 4-1.

One of the major talking points of the last few minutes was the sending off Moore. The Newbuildings centre half accidentally clashed heads with a Coagh player and was bloodied from the incident. Newbuildings proceeded to play on and Moore vented his frustration at whistler Andrew Davey with a tirade of verbal abuse. The Bangor official had no other choice but to dismiss the centre half.

Coagh will now move onto the last eight of the competition where they will face Linfield at Windsor Park. Linfield legend Noel Bailie was an interested spectator at Hagan Park and he will be reporting back to David Jeffrey on what was an impressive Coagh performance.