28/02/2010: Douglas 1-09 St. Nick’s 1-06


The Douglas senior footballers qualified for the final of the Tadhg Crowley Plate with victory over St. Nick’s in last Sunday’s semi-final replay. However, the game remained in the balance to the final whistle and it took nerves of steel from their wing back Ray Keating to clinch the win when he expertly converted a late penalty kick after Tom Sheehan was grounded.


Aided by the breeze St. Nick’s forged ahead early on and led by a solitary point at the interval, with the Douglas points being scored by Richard Murphy, Shane McCarthy and Neil Heffernan. Within a minute of the restart the Northsiders were in the ascendancy after Kevin Herlihy goaled. However, Douglas refused to wilt, Sheehan pointed and then reignited their challenge with skipper Johnny Lane providing the inspiration. Forced to line out without ace defender Eoin Cotter, who was on duty with U.C.C. in the Sigerson Cup final, his defensive ally Lane showed great leadership by pushing forward to grab two outstanding points to level the game.


With both sides pondering the prospect of another bout of extra-time, the foul on Sheehan provided Keating with the chance for a timely intervention and he coolly planted the ball in the net. A late point by midfielder Alan Barry validated Douglas’ superiority and confirmed their place in the final against Bishopstown.