Report

Clonmany took an early lead in the 10th minute when Michael Devlin got played in at the left corner of the box,he drove in a low cross which went across the face of the goal to the far post where Jason Devlin rolled a pass into the path of Greg Bradley and he slotted home from close range.However the lead only lasted 2 minutes with Greencastle equalising when a free kick on the left side was hoisted into the box and Mark Henry’s firm header from the penalty spot went to the top left hand corner of Paddy Harkin’s goal.Greencastle continued to press and had the majority of play for the rest of the half and went close again in the 26th minute when Marty Henry’s free kick was driven lie into the goal mouth and Joe Doherty tried a back heeled effort that was cleared off the goal line by Aaron Friel. Clonmany made a substitution in the 40th minute with Mark McLaughlin replacing the injured Jason Devlin. Half time 1-1Clonmany looked to have come to terms with Greencastle dominance at midfield as the second half progressed and regained the lead in the 55th minute when Mark McLaughlin got on the end of a long clearance,evaded the tackle of the only defender between him and the Greencastle goals and with J P Doherty coming out to block him, he switched the ball to his other foot and rtruck a rising shot into the roof of the net. On 67 minutes Clonmany struck for a third goal.Mickey Devlin sent a ball to the right for Mark McLaughlin to attack the Greencastle goal. Again J P Doherty came out to block and parry Mark’s shot but the ball came across to Greg Bradley who saw his shot blocked but the ball fell to substitute Mickey Friel and he shot across the face of the goal and into the bottom corner of the net. Greencastle continued to show great spirit and pulled a goal back in the 74th minute when a free kick from the right was headed through a crowded goalmouth by Matty Henry and into the net despite the efforts of Paddy Harkin and defenders on the line. Greencastle saw their right back James Curran sent off in the 79th minute after two quick yellow cards resulted in a red.Clonmany’s Mickey Devlin went close in the 81St minute when he got on the end of Aaron Friel’s cross but his volley was just off target. Greencastle also pressed and went close after Front Doherty set Christy Hegarty up for a shot which whistled past the right hand post.But their persistence finally paid off in the 89th minute when Hegarty and Doherty combined again down the right side of the Clonmany box and Ronan Doherty turned the Clonmany defence and sent a low shot to the net to make the score 3-3. In added time they almost snatched a winner when Ronan Doherty shot from the edge of the box but Paddy Harkin made a superb block on the goalline to deny him and leave the final score, Clonmany Shamrocks 3 Greencastle 3