Inishowen Football League Match Reports Sunday 22nd February 2026
Inishowen Football League Reports
Ulster Junior Cup
Letterkenny Rovers 1
Buncrana Hearts 1 AET Buncrana win 6-5 on pens
The visitors started this game very well and Kevin Jordan had an early effort saved by Blake Forkan in the Rovers goal. Hugh Aaron McGonagle then got in behind the Rovers defence but after being forced wide by Forkan he laid the ball back to Liam Jordan whose goal bound effort was also saved by the retreating Forkan. They continued to press and when Caolan Doherty fed Liam Quigley on the left he fired across goal and wide when well placed.
The home side responded midway through the half with a corner kick which deceived everyone and Taylor Clarke saved well on the line. Buncrana then created another good opportunity on the half hour with Doherty’s free kick flicked on by Kevin O’Loughlin to Liam Jordan whose header was brilliantly saved by Forkan. Rovers had the final chance of the half with a Jack Parke effort comfortably gathered by Clarke. The visitors had the first chance of the second half when Shane Monaghan’s cross was hooked wide by Quigley. The home side then got on top for a spell with Lee McMonagle poking a Shane McNamee cross wide before McNamee fed Zach Gorman who failed to hit the target from twelve yards out. In a swift break at the other end Liam Jordan crossed for Quigley who headed wide when well placed. The deadlock was broken in the 84th minute after BJ Banda converted a contentiously awarded penalty sending Clarke the wrong way. Buncrana responded and when a Caloan Doherty shot was turned round the post from the resulting corner Forkan parried and Liam Jordan bundled the ball home to force extra time. There was no more chances until the final minutes when both sides had a chance to snatch victory. Firstly Gorman blazed over for the home side before after Caolan Doherty went one on one with Forkan the keeper blocked. The loose ball was collected by Liam Jordan whose cross saw Quigleys volley crash off the crossbar. In the shootout Hearts emerged winners in sudden death by six goals to five.
Charlie O’Donnell Cup Semi Finals
Greencastle FC 0
Cockhill Youths 2
Cockhill had an early effort with a Ryan McDaid shot from twenty five yards which home keeper Sean O’Neill tipped onto the bar before Mason McDaid headed a free kick over the bar and then Darragh McDermott was off target with a free kick. Greencastle responded with a dangerous Gerry Gill cross evading everyone before Seamy McLaughlin dangerous cross well cleared by Dean O’Donnell. Cockhill were next to threaten when Devon McCarron broke into the area but was denied by a last ditch tackle from Brian McClean. At the other end from successive dead ball deliveries from Gill both Gavin Harkin and Michael Barr headed over. Cockhill broke the deadlock in he 33rd minute when a Conor McDaid free kick from wide on the left evaded everyone and nestled in the bottom corner. Greencastle tried to hit back before the break with Gill off target with a free kick before Seamy Mclaughlin cut inside from the right but hit his left footed effort over the bar. Greencastle began well on the restart and Seamy McLaughlin’s cross found Joe Carroll whose header was well saved by Darragh O’Donnell before McLaughlin then saw an effort blocked by a defender. The home side kept pressing but found the Youths defence a tough nut to break down. On the break McCarron advanced into the area but a Brendan McClenaghan last ditch tackle saved the home side. At the other end a Gavin Harkin effort from distance just cleared the bar. Cockhill’s Paul Mullan then beat the offside trap but dragged his effort wide while at the other end substitute Luke McFadden headed a McLaughlin cross narrowly wide. Cockhill got the crucial second goal in the 82nd minute after Joe Lavery broke on the left and cut inside before drilling low past O’Neill from twelve yards. Greencastle kept going with substitute Danny Murphy volleying wide and Seamy Mclaughlin seeing an effort well saved by O’Donnell but Cockhill saw it through to advance to the final.
Carn Youths 2
Glengad United 1
In difficult conditions in St.Patricks Park for this semi final cup clash ,both defences were on top throughout the first half but Glengad had the first opportunity in the 15th minute when the ball was played through by Joe Doherty into Owen Doherty who dragged his shot wide of Kyle Harkin’s post when well placed . Carn then responded with good play down the right side from Cade Cooke and Matthew McGoldrick who then squared the ball into Cian Doherty who hit the side netting from a tight angle. Glengad then went close after Jamie Toland made a run from centre half and crossed the ball into Ryan McLaughlin who headed wide . Carn started quickly in the second half and Cade Cooke had a free kick saved smartly by Ronan Lafferty . Then in the 70th minute it was Carn who broke the deadlock after Tiernan Diver beat the defender on the left and drove a ball into Daire Tully who tapped home from close range . Carn went two goals ahead in the 80th minute when Kyle Harkin’s long ball beat the Glengad defence and Tully got a nick in front of the advancing keeper to force the ball home. Glengad upped the tempo and Joe Doherty had a free kick saved by Kyle Harkin then Harkin got up quickly to save the rebound from Fergal Doherty. Glengad then nearly got a goal back when Darragh Douglas spurned a chance at the back post when well placed . They then put the pressure on and got a goal back when Owen Doherty hit a shot from 20 yards and made its way into Carn net despite the efforts of Harkin . It was the home side who held out in the closing minutes and booked their place in the final .
Jackie Crossan Premier Division 
Aileach FC 1
Cockhill Celtic 6
Cockhill started at a blistering pace and took the lead on 15 minutes when Luke Rudden brought a fine save from Conan Doherty in the home goal but his parry fell to Conor Graham who finished to the empty net. Within minutes Cockhill doubled their lead after a cross from the right found Garbhan Friel whose overhead kick looped over the stranded Doherty. As half time approached the away side added a third when Jay Bradley picked the ball up twenty five yards out and fired a low drive just inside Doherty’s right hand post.The second half started fairly evenly with Cockhill having most of the possession but the overworked Aileach rearguard repelling most efforts. On 55 minutes Cockhill extended their lead when Conor Graham pounced on a scuffed clearance and played in Rudden to finish from a narrow angle. Number five came along just minutes later after Jay Bradley got clear at the edge of the box and finished well with a low shot just inside Doherty’s right hand post. The home side finally got on the scoresheet when a free from wide right was cleared to the edge of the box where Darren Bradley controlled before hitting a fine right foot effort low past Harry Doherty’s right hand. But Cockhill completed the scoring when Nathan McDaid got on the end of an Adam Duffy pass and finished well high past Doherty. With time almost up and to compound a forgettable night for the home side full back Cian Thompson was dismissed having received a second yellow card.
Clonmany Shamrocks 2
Illies Celtic 1
Clonmany dominated the opening half of this game with Conor Doherty feeding Terence Doherty on the right and he cut in but fired wide. Terence Doherty then crossed but Alex McFadden headed over the bar. The shamrocks opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after a Ryan McColgan cross broke to Terence Doherty who looped a header from twelve yards over Conor Doherty in the Illies goal. Good inter play then between Aaron Porter and Terence Doherty set up McFadden but his shot was blocked.
The final chance of the half also fell to the home side with McColgans deep cross hooked back by Porter for Terence Doherty who volleyed over. Clonmany doubled their lead on 61 minutes when Terence Doherty and McFadden combined for the latter to slot home from twelve yards. Illies responded and substitute Dominic Coyle ran onto a Jamie McDaid pass but his effort was cleared off the line by Matthew Brennan. Then a Paul Doherty corner was punched clear by Johnathan Noone from underneath the bar. Illies got a goal back on 82 minutes after a cross fell to Paul Doherty,pictured right, who slotted low past Noone from twelve yards. Illies forced a number of corners in the closing stages but the home side held firm to claim the points.
(Clonmany scorers Terence Doherty & Alex McFadden pictured below.)
(Illies Capt. Paul Doherty & Clonmany Capt. Gareth Bradley pictured above with Referee Trevor Maloney.)
QPS 3
Redcastle United 0
The home side dominated the majority of the opening half and got a dream start in the second minute after Oisin McIntyre in space on the right hand side of the area lobbed James Curran in the Redcastle goal. Lee Barr then had a free kick saved by Curran before Mcintyre had another effort well saved. The home side went two nil ahead then in the 25th minute after Oisin Mcintyre advanced on the right and crossed for brother Darragh to head home from eight yards. Lee Barr tried his luck with a long range free which was off target. Redcastles first effort came before half time with Darragh McConway in space on the right hand side of the area but he fired narrowly wide. Redcastle had the first chance after the break with an inswinging Mark Farren corner parried by Oisin Burke and cleared off the line by a defender. At the other end Curran turned an Oisin McIntyre effort around the post. The point then increased their lead with Oisin McIntyre finding Josh McConalogue whose cross was flicked home from eight yards by Darragh McIntyre. Redcastle kept going and substitute Shay Sweeney had an effort saved by Burke. But the home side regained control after this and Darragh McIntyre was denied his hat rick with a superb block from Dermot Hoy. Shea Lynch then advanced from midfield and unleashed an effort which was well saved by Curran. The final chance also fell to the home side with substitute Cillian McEleney’s shot from the edge of the area clipping the bar on the way over.
Carn FC 3
Culdaff FC 0
Carn broke the deadlock on 9 minutes when captain Michael McDermott broke on the left wing and crossed for Kyran Cantwell who shot low to the right corner of the net from thirteen yards. Carn continued to pile the pressure on Culdaff and had a great chance to double their lead after Ross Farren made a great pass from midfield to find Mark Scott who went one on one with Culdaff keeper Odhran Douglas but shot low to the left and wide from fifteen yards. Culdaff replied midway through the half with Lewis Kelly rounding the defender and laying it off for Taylor Bonner who shot high to the right and wide from twelve yards. The home side had the final chance of the half after Shay McDaid fed Cian Burke who failed to hit the target from ten yards. Culdaff had the first opportunity of the second half after Kelly made a great run on the left before crossing for Conor McColgan who headed wide when well placed. The home side also spurned a good opening when Jamie Doherty and substitute Liam McWeeney combined to set up Cian Burke who failed to hit the target. Minutes later a Callum Kelly cross found Mark Scott who fired wide from close range. The home side got the crucial second goal with Cian Burke flicking the ball on to Mark Scott to fire to the roof of the net from inside the area. They completed the scoring when Scott evaded a tackle and fed Shay McDaid who slotted low past Douglas from twelve yards.
HML Plant Hire Division One 
Buncrana Res 0
Aileach Res 3
In quite windy conditions defences were on top form large parts of the first half. With few goalmouth incidents. The first opportunity of note arrived on the stroke of half time the visitors took the lead with a tidy finish from Dermot Doherty.The visitors controlled large parts of the second half against a very young Hearts side. The visitors were first to threaten with Doherty smacking the crossbar, but he did get his second and Aileach’s second from a counter attack slotting past Eoghan O’Doherty in the home goal. The home side responded with Gerard Boyle almost pulled a goal back but his effort stuck a post. Stephen Doherty sealed victory for the visitors in the 81st minute with a lovely curling effort from edge of the box for a three nil victory.
Gleneely Colts 1
Sea Rovers 3
The first 20 minutes of this game was a midfield battle with no clear cut chances created. Sea Rovers were first to show on 25minutes when Mark Diver shot wide from twenty yards. Gleneely replied when Paul Toner took a pop from twenty five yards that went just wide. Rovers then broke at speed with the ball landing to Conor McCloskey but he blazed over when well placed. Rovers took the lead on the half hour after Daniel Gallagher scored from a free on the edge of the box despite Rhys Kerr getting a hand on it. Shane Diver then had a left footed effort from twenty yards that was palmed away for a corner by Rovers keeper Mark McLaughlin on the hour mark. Rovers went two up midway through the half when Joey Holland rose unmarked to power a header to the net from a corner. They went three up on 72 minutes when Hasson tapped home from six yards after a great flowing move down the right. Gleneely battled well and reduced the deficit when Cian McNamee scored from the edge of the box with an excellent shot. McNamee then had two more chances in quick succession, one making Mark McLaughlin push out for a corner and the other a comfortable save. The final inal chance fell to Nathan Doherty when his header from a corner was blocked in the six yard box and R Rovers were able to clear the danger.
Dunree United 4
Cockhill Res 2
In a smart opening the home side went close on ten minutes after a Gerry Farrell cross just eluded Adam Barrett at the back post. Minutes later Farrell ran onto a through ball but Eoin Colhoun was smartly of his line to gather. When the home defence failed to deal with a long free in the 17th minute the ball fell to Shayne Gallagher to fire the visitors in front. But within minutes Dunree equalised with Barrett sliding the ball home from close range after Farrell crossed. Farrell then tested Colhoun who got down well to smother the shot as the half ended. Dunree took the lead minutes after the restart when Patrick Doherty laid the ball back inside the area for Barrett to drill home from twelve yards. But Cockhill rallied and levelled matters on 58 minutes with Blake McCarron curling a lovely ball into the top corner from the edge of the area. Dunree upped the tempo and regained the lead on 72 minutes after Joe McCallion sidefooted home from just inside the area. They sealed the points then Farrell lobbed Colhoun from thirty yards for a valuable three points for the home side.
(Dunree Capt. Adam Barrett & Cockhill Capt. Eoin Colhoun pictured below with Referee Eamon Doherty.)
Inish Grass Division Two Shield 
Illies Res 3
Carrowmena FC 0
This preliminary round game saw the home side dominated possession but fail to threaten Brian Houghton in the visitors goal. Carrowmena replied with a dangerous Paul Brennan inswinging corner punched clear from beneath the bar by Christian Jackson. Before half time Illies spurned a good chance when Brendan Grant show over the bar when well placed. Illies broke the deadlock on 55 minutes after Dominick Coyle was upended in the area allowing captain Shane Devlin to convert the penalty sending the keeper the wrong way. They added a second goal midway through the half with Houghton parrying a Devlin cross and the ball fell kindly for Grant to slot home. Illies sealed their passage to the next round when great work by Devlin saw him beat two men and drill low to the corner from the edge of the area.
Cockhill Colts 3 (A.E.T)
Rashenny Res 2
In a tight opening period there were few chances with Rashennys Gareth McKeever denied by James McGuinness in the colts goal. McKeever then opened the scoring on 35 minutes with a superb free kick from the edge of the area giving McGuinness no chance. In a quick counter attack before half time the visitors made it two nil with McKeever outpacing the home defence before slotting past McGuinness. Cockhill began the second half well with an acrobatic Kevin McDaid effort saved by Roger McGilloway. They got a goal back then when McDaid converted a penalty awarded for a handball in the area. Cockhill were on top and McDaid and Darragh Lyons both went close with good efforts. They equalised in the 80th minute after a corner broke to Cian Murphy who fired an unstoppable shot to the net. The Colts continued on top and McGilloway made a reflex save to deny Lyons on two occasions and Liam O’Donnell hooking an effort just wide. Cockhill then took the lead in the first half of extra time when Mcdaid converted his second penalty of the game. Rashenny tried hard to get back on terms and McKeever was denied late on by a superb save from McGuinness. This game was delayed for twenty odd minutes in the first half after a Cockhill’s Ciaran McGrory received a serious facial injury which necessitated lengthy treatment. All associated with the league wish Ciaran a speedy recovery.
Culdaff Res 1
Moville Celtic 1 AET Moville win 7-6 on pens
Despite the home side having the benefit of the wind in the opening half it was the visitors who had most of the possession but they failed to trouble Patrick McLaughlin in the homer goals in the opening twenty minutes. Moville first chance came on 26 minutes but Mclaughlin made a superb point blank save to deny Michael McNaught. The league leaders then took the lead after a McNaught cross found Jay Gillen to slot low past McLaughlin from ten yards. Culdaff responded and following a mazy run by Jack O’Brien his left footed effort flashed narrowly wide. Then a great run from Tiernan McGeoghaghan found O’Brien but he was crowded out by a number of defenders who blocked his shot. The home side ended the half strongly and after a Billy Hume cross McGeoghaghans header was saved by Jordan Mclaughlin. Moville had the first opportunity after the restart with Joshua Lafferty firing just wide from the edge of the area. But the home side equalised on 52 minutes when a Thomas O Brien free kick was deflected and Hume reacted brilliantly to head home from close range. Hume went close again after a good move when his effort from a tight angle was well saved by Mclaughlin. At the other end the ever dangerous McNaught beat a couple of defenders but his effort flashed just past the post. The home side then spurned a great chance after O’Brien broke clear of the visitors defence but dragged his effort wide with just McLaughlin to beat. The visitors then suffered a blow after Lafferty collected a second yellow card and they were reduced to ten men with ten minutes remaining. Culdaff pressed and after brilliant interplay between O’Brien and Hume the latters left footed effort is superbly saved by McLaughlin. With time almost up Moville forced a corner and from Norbert Indyka s delivery Dermot Harkin headed wide when well placed and extra time was needed. Culdaff had the better of the first half in extra time creating a couple of chances but failing to convert. In the second half a McNaught flick sent Gillen clear but McLaughlin in the home goal saved superbly. The home side had the final chance after a powerful jack Mills effort from the edge of the area just cleared the crossbar and the penalty shootout ensued. Moville edged through seven six on penalties after a very entertaining encounter.
QPS Youth 4
Rashenny FC 5
In this entertaining encounter the home side actually led on three different occasions but were pegged back every time. The home side took the lead on 20 minutes after Josh Boyle squared for Hugo Curran to finish low from twelve yards past S am Coyle. But the visitors levelled eight minutes later when David Mclaughlin played Jake O Donnell through and he finished low past Lee McColgan. The Point then had a good spell and added two quick goals when mark Wallace got on the end of Boyle free kick to slot home from close range before also scoring when he side footed home Michael McCarrons cutback . Coyle then made tow excellent saves to keep Rashenny in the contest as the half ended. The visitors reduced the deficit on 55 minutes with Ryan Doherty firing home from the edge of the area before the equalised with Mclaughlin cutting in from the left and shooting to the far corner from a tight angle. The home side rgained the lead in this topsy turvy clash with Wallace advancing into the area and pulling the ball back to Curran to drill past Coyle. But again Rashenny got back on terms with Patrick Doherty forcing the ball home from close range after the home defence failed to clear . McLaughlin then won it for the visitors when he glanced home a header from a corner in a crowded area.
Dunree Res 5
Greencastle Youth 0
The visitors began this game well but in the 8th minute Paul Jackson won possession in their defence and lobbed Ciaran Bonner to give the home side the lead. They added a second then after Arlen Morley collected a loose ball inside the area and drilled low to the bottom corner. A poor clearaqnce in the visitors defence was collected by Danny Doherty who curled the ball around Bonner and into the net before half time to leave Dunree three nil in front. They continued on top in the second half and increased their lead after Doherty won possession in midfield and ran through to calmly finish past Bonner. Substitute Logan Cuffe completed the scoring on 85 minutes when he outpaced the visiting defence to slot home.
Culdaff Rovers 2 AET Culdaff Rovers win 4-2 on pens
Glengad Res 2
Played on Friday night under lights in dry but blustery conditions the home side had the first opportunity against the wind after good hold up play by Shaun Kelly set up Michael Coyle who fired narrowly wide from a central position on the edge of the area. The home side then survived a huge scare after Christopher McKinley was denied by a combination of goalkeeper Martin McLaughlin and Dermot Diver. At the other end a Eugene McLaughlin cross saw Coyle’s header crash back off the crossbar. Glengad with the wind put the Rovers defence under a lot of pressure with Calvin White winning a lot of possession and wingers Joshua McKevitt and Keelan McColgan causing problems. A long wind assisted free from Paddy McLaughlin just eluded McKinley and Kayden Taitt at the back post as the half ended scoreless. 
The home side had the first opportunity of the second half with a left footed strike from John G McLaughlin ,pictured right ,crashing off the underside of the bar and away to safety. At the other end a Glengad corner caused havoc in the area and keeper McLaughlin came to the rescue blocking Whites effort with is legs. Rovers broke the deadlock on 78 minutes with great footwork inside the area from John G McLaughlin enabling him to rifle to the net from six yards past Michael McLaughlin. Rovers continued to dominate and looked to have sealed their passage to the next round but in the final minute Paddy Mclaughlin’s free was headed home by White to force extra time. Rovers regained the lead in the opening minutes of extra time when John G McLaughlin fired a superb effort from the edge of the area to the top corner. But within minutes Glengad equalised again after the home defence allowed the ball to bounce and McKinley brilliantly lobbed McLaughlin. In the second period Rovers had a late chance but Paul Fisher fired wide at the back post and the tie went to the penalty shootout where the experience of the home team saw them edge through four to two on penalties.
(Culdaff Capt. Dermot Diver & Glengad Capt. Lee Kelly pictured below with Referee Liam Porter.)
Aileach Youths 2
Moville Res 0
Aaron Doherty had the first chance for Aileach shooting straight at Stephen Teles 
in the visitors goal.Moville replied with an effort from Harry Connaughton hitting straight at Dylan Clarke when well placed. The home side broke the deadlock on the half hour when Anton Doherty advanced and unleashed a superb twenty yards effort to the top corner. They doubled their lead five minutes later when Aaron Doherty scored from close range after superb approach from Jerry McKinney. In the second half Moville had a good chance on the hour mark but Dylan Clarke pulled off a good save denying Lorcan Gillen.At the other end McKinney was denied by Teles who saved well at full stretch. Moville pressed hard in the closing stages but the home defence held firm to advance.
(Aileach keeper Dylan Clarke pictured with goal-scorers Anton Doherty & Aaron Doherty.)
(Moville Capt. John McGeady & Aileach Capt. Damien Barr pictured with Referee Paul Clifford above.)
Redcastle Res 3 A.E.T Redcastle win 5-4 on pens
Carn Res 3
Redcastle went ahead after 20 minutes when a through ball from Barry McLaughlin sent Shay Sweeney through and he lobbed the ball over keeper Jack OBrien. Carn equalised on the stroke of half-time after Adam McCarron set up Kyrin Doherty and he scored low into the corner from twelve yards. Carn then took the lead on the hour mark with a free kick from the right from Darragh McCormick which was volleyed into the net by Conor Burke from twenty yards. Carn came close again after 70 minutes after Adam McCarron’s shot from twenty yards was turned around the post by Oisin Quigley. In injury time Redcastle got the equaliser when Darragh Leitch was brought down in the penalty area with Shay Sweeney scoring the resulting penalty to force extra time. Five minutes into extra time Carn went ahead again when a pass from Conor Burke sent Dion Diver clear and he made no mistake going around keeper Quigley and scoring low into the net. But Redcastle made it three all five minutes from the end when Oisin Quigleys long ball was latched onto by Conor McCallion who converted from inside the area.Carn almost won the tie in the last kick of the game when Dion Divers free kick hit the bar and went over. Redcastle Res won the resulting penalty shootout five four with Oisin Quigley saving Carns fifth penalty and Darren Harkin stepping up to win it for Redcastle.