Donoughmore Athletic 2 Passage 1
Donoughmore secured a sometimes lucky win over Passage in Stuake on Saturday last. The pitch and conditions were in perfect order for a good game of soccer and Donoughmore came storming out of the blocks. Damien Hennessy was put through on goal in the 3rd minute but his shot was well saved by the Passage keeper. However  Hennessy made no mistake from the resultant corner when he finished into the top corner of the net when the ball broke his way. Donoughmore should have extended their lead in the first 20 minutes but could not put the finishing touches to some good opportunities. As the half wore on Passage came more into the match as Donoughmore seemed to take a step back. Donoughmore coped well from a series of corners and generally defended well but came under more and more pressure. That pressure paid off for Passage in the 37th minute when a deep run from their midfielder was not picked up by his marker and he had a free header from 8 yards out which gave Noel O'Connell in the Donoughmore goal no chance. That seemed to wake Donoughmore up and after a good passing move, Kenneth Cullinane scored what proved to be the winner with a superb goal from all of 35 yards that flew into the roof of the net. Donoughmore went in 2-1 at the break and just about deserved it at that stage. The second half was a dull affair with Donoughmore seemingly content to soak up the Passage pressure and hit them on the counter attack . Passage looked very dangerous all the time and were unlucky to have an equaliser ruled out for offside in the 75th minute. Colm O'Sullivan put Aidan O'Shea through on goal in the 80th minute but a bad bounce when he had only the keeper to beat meant the chance went begging. Brother's Rob & Colm O'Sullivan both played well with Peter Murphy, Connie Buckley and Cathal O'Hanlon also doing well. Donoughmore worked hard throughout but didn't play the fluid football that they played last week. The passing game that worked well against Rathcoole seemed to desert them and players often took the wrong option. However Donoughmore have full points from their first two games so they won't complain. 
Team: N. O'Connell, C. O'Hanlon, C. Buckley, R. O'Sullivan, P. Murphy, P. Foley, D. Hennessy, C. O'Sullivan, D. McSweeney, A. O'Shea, K. Cullinane. Subs: D. Barrett for D. McSweeney, A. McSweeney for D. Hennessy and D. O'Shea for K. Cullinane.