Inishowen Football League Match Reports Sunday 29th March 2026
Inishowen Football League Reports
Ulster Junior Cup Semi Finals
Buncrana Hearts 1
Carn FC 4
This all Inishowen semi final at Castle Park saw a strong cross field wind which benefited neither side but had a big impact on the game. After an even opening Carn took the lead in the 20th minute after a Cian Burke effort took a big deflection off a home defender and looped over Taylor Clarke into the net .
Within a minute the visitors added a second goal when a defensive error allowed Burke into the area and his shot was blocked by Clarke but the ball looped up and spun into the net. Buncrana rallied and reduced the deficit on 38 minutes when a Caolan Doherty free was met with a firm downward header by Liam Jordan past Daniel McDaid. But the visitors made it three one before half time when the home defence again failed to clear a Ross Farren free kick and Mark Scott bundled the ball home from close range. Buncrana threatened in the opening minute of the second half with Doherty’s free bouncing around the area before Liam Quigley’s effort was scrambled off the line. At the other end Burke got on the end of another Farren free but poked wide at the near post. On 70 minutes Carn keeper McDaid made a good save to deny Doherty and in a quick break Scott ran clear onto a through ball before clipping it over the advancing Clarke to seal the win. The home side had the final chance after a free kick into the area fell for Kevin O’Loughlin but he blazed over the bar from twelve yards.
(Match officials Warren Harvey , Eamon Doherty & Trevor Moloney pictured below with Carn Capt. Jamie Doherty & Hearts Capt. James Adair)
Kildrum Tigers 1
Cockhill Celtic 1 AET
Kildrum win 5-3 on penalty kicks
In a repeat of last year’s semi-final played in windy conditions the home side got off to a great start when Luke Toland stabbed home from close range after a long free kick delivery was not dealt with. Minutes later another free kick into the visitors area was only half cleared and Matthew Crossan’s goalbound effort was tipped around the post by Harry Doherty at full stretch. Another driven free kick from Crossan was well saved low to his right by Doherty as the home side looked for a second goal. The home side were unlucky then on the stroke of half time after a deep cross found Johnny Robb whose header crashed off the post. Cockhill got back on terms in the 55th minute after Adam Duffy curled a free kick from the edge of the D around the wall and into the top corner giving Michael Lynch no chance. Good interplay by the Duffy brothers Damien And Adam saw the latter’s effort drift just wide. At the other end a long ball was misjudged by the Cockhill defence but Ronan McKinley blazed over from the edge of the area. A quickly taken free then released Jay Bradley for the visitors and his cross just eluded the inrushing Garbhan Friel. Cockhill pressed again with Tiernan Ruddy winning possession and feeding Bradley on the right but he fired over the bar. In the first period of extra time Bradley headed Adam Duffys free over the bar before a mazy run into the area from Bradley drew a smothering save by Lynch. The second half of extra time saw defences dominate and neither side able to fashion a clear chance and in the ensuing penalty shootout Kildrum scored all five kicks with Cockhill missing one to advance to a final with Carn FC .
FAI Junior Cup
Keadue Rovers 2
Illies Celtic 0
Illies made the long trip to Central Park, Keadue but after a battling display they went down by two goals to nil. In blustery conditions first half was an even midfield battle but illies had a chance on 20 minutes when a Jamie McDaid shot was saved by the keeper and cleared off the line by defender Chris Green . Keadue’s only chance came from a header from a free kick which Martin Ferry headed just over the bar . Two minutes after the restart Illies Brendan Grant outpaced the home defence and shot from a tight angle but a retreating defender got back and blocked on the line. Illies suffered a blow when they were reduced to ten men on 55 minutes after Grant was red carded for a second booking. Keadue then opened the scoring on the hour mark when Maurice Mc Gee converted after a mix up in the visitors defence. Illies then missed a great chance to equalise after Paul Duffy shot wide when one on one with the keeper. Keadue sealed their progression to the next round after Aidan Mc Hugh headed home following a free kick. Illies battled away and were unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet.
HML Plant Hire Division One
Greencastle FC 8
Buncrana Res 1
The home side had the advantage of the elements and took an early lead after a Gerry Gill corner was cleared to Jamie McCormick who hammered to the top corner from twenty five yards despite Hayden Boyle getting his fingers to the ball. On 15 minutes Gill won possession and fed Seamus McLaughlin on the right whose superb cross was slotted home from close range by Luke McFadden. When Nathan Harkin fed McLaughlin he evaded two challenges before adding a third goal with a superb low finish from inside the area. McLaughlin then added another goal firing to the roof of the net after a neat lay off from McFadden. They continued to press and Mclaughlin completed his hat trick when he cut inside from the right before curling a lovely low shot just inside the post. After good build up play Harkin then scored with another curling effort giving Boyle no chance. Buncrana got a goal back when Ethan Soal fired a penalty high past Sean O Neill after a handball in the area on the stroke of half time. The visitors had the first chance of the second half with Eoin McNamee unleashing an effort from distance but O Neill gathered. The home side then scored their seventh of the game with Gill feeding Curran who evaded a defender and crossed for McFadden to side foot home from six yards. They completed the scoring when McFadden went past two defenders and his cross was met on the half volley by Curran giving Boyle no chance. The last chance also fell to the home side after James Henry split the Buncrana defence but McFadden fired over the bar.
Cockhill Res 3
Aileach Res 8
Aileach took full advantage early on with the wind behind them and raced into a three goal lead inside the first 15 minutes. Three well hit long range efforts from Yanga Madolo, Dillon McGrory and Ryan Wilson left Cockhill keeper Eoin Colhoum with no chance. Aaron Stevenson pulled one back for Cockhill finishing off a fine move reacting well in the box to fire high into the roof of the net to give Cockhill a lifeline but a mix up in defence moments later allowed Gavin Doherty to edge Aileach further ahead again.Just before half-time Cockhill again reduced the deficit with Blake McCarron powering home a header off the underside of the bar. Cockhill started the second half well, passing up a number of great chances in the opening twenty minutes to get themselves back in the game. Aileach made Cockhill pay with 15 minutes remaining after a cross from Dermot Doherty got held up in the wind and sailed over the stranded Cockhill keeper. Minutes later Aileach all but sealed the win when Yanga Madolo pounced on a loose ball in the box to bundle home. Cahir McDaid did pull another back from Cockhill with a fine controlled shot from the edge of the box but it only proved a late consolation as Aileach finished the game off with a late brace from Gavin Bradley.
Gleneely Colts 0
Glengad United 4
With the game reversed to the Crua Glengad against the wind opened the scoring on 10 minutes when Owen Doherty played in Seamus Doherty and his shot somehow landed in the net despite Rhys Kerr getting a hand on it and assisted by the wind. Gleneely replied and Corey O’Brien went close when his shot from twenty yards just flew over the bar. Midway through the half Owen Doherty had a chance from inside the box but Kerr pulled off a good save while at the other end Cian McNamee tried his luck from distance but was comfortably saved by McDaid. Lennon McLaughlin had a snap shot from twenty yards but again McDaid was up to the task with a smart save. Gleneely had the first chance of the second half with a Nathan Doherty free on the edge of the box but McDaid saved well. Glengad got their second goal when Oran Doherty shot from fifteen yards to the bottom corner on 55 minutes. The same player then added his second and his sides third of the game when he scored a rocket to the top corner from twenty yards. They rounded off the scoring in the dying minutes after Stephen Doherty’s high ball into the box looped over Kerr and into the net.
(Glengad Capt. Seamus Doherty & Gleneely Capt. Paul Doherty pictured below with Referee Martin McGonigle )
(Glengad scorers Stephen Doherty ,Oran Doherty (2) & Seamus Doherty)
Inishowen Engineering Division Two B
Moville Res 5
Greencastle Youth 1
Against the wind it was the home side who opened the scoring on 5 minutes after a Harry Connaughton corner was punched out by Ciaran Bonner but the ball fell for Aiden Moore to slot home from twelve yards. Greencastle had plenty of possession and a Mick McDermott effort from distance was well saved by Stephen Teles. Teles then made an even better save to tip over a Pauric McHenry effort which looked destined for the top corner. The final chance of the half fell to the home side after good work from Ehor Hreshylov found Mateus Indyka who side-footed wide when well placed. On the restart McDermott had an effort saved by Teles before at the other end a Daniel McFadden free was narrowly wide. McFadden then converted a penalty after John McGeady had been upended in the 65th minute to put the home side two nil ahead. Minutes later a McFadden free kick was well parried by Bonner but McGeady slotted home from close range. Oisin McGuinness then added a fourth goal after good footwork inside the area which ended with a low finish. McGuinnes then grabbed his second goal of the game with a header at the back post following a Vernon Kelly corner kick. Greencastle got the consolation goal they deserved when the ball broke inside the area for Joel Messenger to slot home.
Inish Grass Division Two Shield 
Moville Celtic 1
Rashenny FC 2
There was a brisk tempo to the start of this game in windy but dry conditions at Glencrow. Moville took the lead after 7 minutes with a low cross in to the box from Michael McNaught which was sidefooted home by Eoghan McLaughlin. A few minutes later Norbert Indyka had a chance at goal but his effort was saved by keeper Sam Coyle. Rashenny had a gilt edged opportunity to get back on terms in the 28th minute when David McLaughlin was upended in the area but Michael Noone made a superb save to deny him from the spot.
Windy conditions carried through into the second half proving challenging for the both team. Moville had the better of the opening exchanges with both Marc Bell and Joshua Lafferty shooting just over. At the other end a Patrick Doherty effort was well saved by substitute Maurice McGeady. The visitors did get back on terms in the 84th minute after a scramble in the home penalty area saw the ball fall for McLaughlin to slot low to the net. With extra time looming Rashenny then took the lead in the 89th minute after Mclaughlin advanced into the area and finished well from fifteen yards. Moville pushed until the final whistle to equalise and bring the game to extra time. The closest they came to scoring was a low shot from Moville’s Conor Lafferty that was saved by Sam Coyle. Rashenny saw the game out and advance to the semi finals.
Clonmany Res 3
Cockhill Colts 1
In swirling windy conditions at Shamrock Park the home side had the first opportunity on 10 minutes after a Mark McLaughlin effort drew a good save from Graham Doherty in the Colts goal. Cockhill replied and from corners darragh Lyons headed just over before from another corner a scramble developed and the ball fell to Dylan McEleney who blazed over from twelve yards.Midway through the half the home side made the break through when Niall Mclaughlin played a one two with brother Mark before shooting low to the bottom corner from twenty yards. Minutes later Mark McLaughlin had a fine effort superbly tipped over by Doherty. In a swift counter attack from the visitors Kevin McDaid crossed to Lyons on the edge of the area but he shot over. Clonmany then doubled their advantage with a crossfield pass from Ben Gill finding Jack Doherty on the edge of the area and he drilled superbly past Doherty low to the corner. They then made it three nil before half time with Mark McLaughlin evading two challenged before unleashing an effort which Doherty did well to parry but Tyler McEleney reacted first to slot home and leave Clonmany three nil up at the break. Cockhill were first to show on the restart with an effort from McDaid well saved by Kyrin Doherty in the home goal. At the other end Niall McLaughlin saw an effort saved by Doherty who also saved well turning a Ben Gill shot around the post. From the corner Jack Dohertys header crashed off the bar to safety. The visitors then reduced the deficit on 69 minutes when McDaid unmarked at a corner headed home from six yards. The same player spurned a great opportunity then when he blazed over from ten yards after latching onto a long ball. Clonmany settled and a Niall McLaughlin free shaved the post before after good interplay from Gill and McEleney who squared the ball to Mark McLaughlin he scuffed his effort from a good position. Cockhill had the final chance but Ionut Lebada fired a free kick from the edge of the area over the crossbar .
(Match offiicials ,Benny McDaid, Terence Moyne & Eamon Doherty ,with Clonmany Capt. DJ McGeoghegan & Cockhill Capt. Liam O’Donnell.)
(Scorers for Clonmany Tyler McEleney, Jack Doherty & Niall McLaughlin pictured with Cockhill scorer Kevin McDaid)
Redcastle Res 0
Culdaff Rovers 4
Culdaff started well and went ahead after 15 minutes when a flick on from Michael Coyle sent Gary Collins through and he scored low into the net from ten yards. They came close again after 20 minutes when a Stephen McLaughlin free kick skimmed the bar and went over. Redcastles first chance came on the half hour after a cross from Shay Sweeney from the right was headed over the bar by Gary Kelly. The last chance of the half fell to Culdaff with a shot from Stephen McLaughlin from fifteen yards which was well saved by Oisin Quigley down to his right. Culdaff started the second half strongly and went two up after 50 minutes when a twenty yards free kick from John Gerard McLaughlin found the bottom corner . Redcastle came on the hour after a corner from Darragh Leitch found Robert McLaughlin and his header from eight yards was brilliantly saved by Martin McLaughlin. The visitors then made it three nil with a pass from Stephen McLaughlin putting John Gerard McLaughlin through and he scored high into the net from ten yards. They made it four nil when a free kick from Paul Fisher was headed into the net by Stephen McLaughlin. The last chance of the game fell to Redcastle when Liam McLaughlins pass put Darragh Leitch through but his shot from twenty yards hit the bar and went over.
Aileach Youths 3
Dunree Res 0
Aileach had the first chance with Dementis Gricius shot but it was well saved by Philip Doherty. Then a free kick by Daithi Grant and Anton Doherty came in at the back post and scored to put the home side in front. Before half time Dunree had a chance but Callum Curran shot wide. The home side started the second half well and an Aaron Doherty effort was well saved by Philip Doherty in the Dunree goal. The visitors replied and following a corner swung in and a header by Paul Jackson which was cleared off the line by a home defender. Aileach made the game safe in the 89th minute with a corner by Conor Tierney was swung in and the wind took it over the keeper into the back of the net . In the 92nd minutes a long ball by Dylan Clarke saw Aaron Doherty ran onto it and slotted it home to make the final score three nil.