Eoghan Rua hold on to take the win over Lavey

However two goals inside a minute gave Lavey an unlikely lifeline and Coleraine a very nervy finish to a game they had led from the 17th minute when Richard Carey put them 0-4 to 0-3 ahead.

Eoghan Rua did have a chance to wrap it up but Ciaran O’Boyle saved a close range shot from Stephen Coyles. Midfielder Colm McGoldrick eased them two clear again, but Matthew Henry landed a fine point for Lavey to leave the minimum between the sides in added time. Eoghan Rua won their own kick out and managed to keep the ball to hold out for the win by the minimum margin, 0-18 to 2-11. The opening quarter was tight enough with the sides level at 0-3 each. The home side took over around the middle where Colm McGoldrick, Richard Carey and Declan Mullan held sway to build up a 0-10 to 0-4 half-time lead.

The powerful running of Mullan from his centre back position caused the Lavey defence all sorts of problems, he scored three points in the opening half while Colm McGoldrick added three from midfiled. Another experienced player Richard Carey came to the fore in that first half for Coleraine, he scored two points. With probably their least experienced senior side lining out for some time the a couple of their ‘new boys’ Hal McGonigle and Ciaran Gaile weighed in with a couple of important points.

Right at the start of the second half Ryan McGeough made a brilliant close range save to deny Lavey a certain goal. Lavey got it back to three within five minutes of the restart with two points. Eoghan Rua responded with three of their own, Gaile, McGonigle and Colm McGoldrick scoring. It was end to end now as Matthew Henry responded with a quickfire double for Lavey.

However the home side seemed to have gained full control of affairs as they stretched their lead to seven with points from Hal McGonigle, Colm McGoldrick and Richard Carey. Thats the way it stayed until that double goal strike left a point between the sides. Coleraine did well to settle after that double setback having been very comfortable and hold on for a win and two valuable League points.