Raphoe Hockey lose out in tight Linden Cup decider

Raphoe Hockey Club played their part in a thrilling Linden Cup final in Belfast yesterday.
The match against Portadown was one of the games of the season – but sadly for Raphoe, they lost out in dramatic circumstances.
They actually found themselves 2-0 behind early in the contest but a goal from Matthew Lecky before half time meant it was 2-1 to Portadown at the break.
Raphoe drew level early in the second half – Matthew Lecky scoring again – and it stayed 2-2 until the finish.
Then followed extra time and with the sides still level, the game went to the dreaded penalty flicks.
In the end it took sudden death to separate them – and it was Portadown who held their nerve winning by 7-6 on penalty flicks to seal the win.
So heartbreak in the end for Raphoe – but they can take heart from a brave performance in what was a memorable cup decider.