Keith Meehan hat-trick gives Raphoe big win in season opener

Raphoe were in seventh heaven on Saturday as the Donegal side scored a big win over Saintfield in the Ulster Linden Cup, giving Richard Tinney victory in his first game in charge.

Raphoe 7
Saintfield 0

Having recently been relegated, Raphoe, wanted to make their mark on their new league opponents.

A slow start for Raphoe saw them only lead 1-0 after the first quarter, thanks to a goal from Matthew Lecky.

With only one substitute, Raphoe got off to the worst start possible as Lee Stewart had to go off with a serious injury within the first three minutes, leaving Raphoe with no available replacements for the remainder of the game.

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After a shaky first quarter, Raphoe found their rhythm, Keith Meehan scoring the first goal of his hat-trick, slotting a penalty stroke to the keeper’s right, making it 2-0.

Keith again made it 3-0, with another penalty before making it 4-0 with a superb finish from the edge of the box.

Meehan, who returned for his first competitive match since a leg break last year had the chance to grab his fourth goal from another penalty but this time was denied by the goalkeeper. 

The impressive Tom Eaton made it 5-0 to Raphoe before the ever-skilful Jake Watt cooly slotted home a sixth and Sam McKnight scored a fantastic individual goal to make it 7-0.

Raphoe face Antrim, away, next Saturday in the next round of the Linden Cup.

Both teams also paid respects to Uel Blair and James Wray with a minutes silence before the game.

Raphoe: D.Moore, A.Meehan, K.Meehan, S.Goudie, E.Lyttle, C.Johnson, M.Lecky, T.Eaton, S.McKinght, L.Stewart, J.Wilson, J.Watt,