Inishowen Football League Match Reports Sunday 26th April 2026
Inishowen Football League Reports
Inish Grass Division Two Shield Final
Coyle double clinches victory for Rovers
Clonmany Res 0
Culdaff Rovers 2
(L-R,Match Officials L. Porter, K. O’Donnell ,G. O’Kane & P McElhinney with Culdaff’s Dermot Diver receiving the Inish Grass Shield from Adrian Cutliffe & Clonmany’s DJ McGeoghegan )
In beautiful conditions on an excellent Maginn Park pitch on Saturday afternoon it was the experienced Culdaff Rovers side who edged this hard fought entertaining encounter. They began well and when the ball broke on the edge of the area in the second minute a powerful left footed effort from Michael Coyle was well parried away by Kyrin Doherty.
Clonmany gradually grew into the game and got on top at the midway point of the half. On 26 minutes a crossfield ball from the left by Niall McLaughlin found his brother Mark on the right hand side of the penalty area but his low shot was turned around the post by Martin McLaughlin. A poor back pass in the Culdaff defence on the half hour allowed Tiernan McDonald to gain possession and advance into the area but with only keeper McLaughlin to beat he fired weakly across goal and the chance was lost. Minutes later another superb crossfield ball from Niall McLaughlin found McDonald on the right and this time his thunderous effort was tipped onto the crossbar by McLaughlin. Clonmany went close again with an in-swinging free from the left hand side by Mark McLaughlin which was brilliantly cleared by Coyle to prevent a certain goal. Culdaff weathered the storm and a PJ McDaid snapshot was easily gathered by Doherty. Good play then from Paul Fisher saw him advance through the middle and feed Stephen McLaughlin who cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot which just eluded McDaid at the back post. In first half injury time Culdaff broke the deadlock after the ball was cleared to outside the area where Gary Collins hooked the ball back and Coyle with his back to goal brilliantly headed across Doherty to the top corner. Culdaff then added a crucial second goal on 53 minutes when Stephen Mclaughlin advanced through the middle and spread the ball inside the full back to PJ McDaid who got to the byeline and pulled the ball back for Coyle to drill home from twelve yards. Midway through the half McDaid pounced on a defensive error but fired weakly at Doherty with Coyle screaming for the ball in a central position. Clonmany put a lot of pressure on the Rovers defence but Paul Mclaughlin and Paul Mills held firm in the centre. They had a late chances when substitute Lorcan McGonigle’s cross picked out another substitute George Clafferty but he headed past the angle. Clonmany will feel if they had scored in that good spell they had in the first half the outcome may have been different but in the end Coyle’s finishing proved decisive.
Man of the Match
For Clonmany Niall & Mark McLaughlin and Ben Gill were all prominent while for the Rovers Paul McLaughlin and Paul Fisher were excellent. But on the day the old adage of goals win matches saw Michael Coyle pick up the award not alone for his two goals but also for his general work-rate and effect in both penalty areas.
(Culdaff Capt. Dermot Diver receiving the Inish Grass Shield form I.F.L. Committee member Jude McCrossan)
Clubman Shirts League Cup Semi Final
Aileach FC 1
Cockhill Celtic 2
Aileach took an early lead in the fifteenth minute when a Darren Bradley free kick found Conor McCahill on the left side of the box and he calmly lobbed Harry Doherty from a narrow angle. Cockhill were having the majority of the possession but Aileach were tigerish in their closing down and competed for every ball. As half time approached, Darren Bradley made a lung busting run right through the centre and found himself one on one with Doherty but the big keeper done well to get a hand to his effort and force it wide for a corner. From the resulting corner, Emmet McCarron rose highest and was unlucky to see his header come back off the post. Cockhill were first to threaten in the second half forcing a couple of fine saves by Conan Doherty from Corey McBride and Luke Rodden. That pattern continued for most of the half with the home side battling hard to maintain their advantage and frustrate their opponents. Then in the fourth minute of injury time, a long high ball deceived the Aileach defence and Garbhan Friel collected to fire past Doherty from close range. Then Jimmy Bradley, in the 10th minute of injury time, managed to wriggle his way through a couple of tired challenges and slide the ball under Conan Doherty for the winner.
HML Plant Hire Division One 
Greencastle FC 9
Aileach Res 5
This final league game of the season on Tuesday night at Chapel Lane saw the home side take the lead five minutes in when Nathan Harkin played a ball over the top which found Seamie McLaughlin on the right wing who then cut inside on to his left foot and hit an unstoppable shot to the top right corner giving the visiting keeper Dylan Porter no chance. The home side continued to press with Joe Carroll playing in Luke McFadden who shot just over the bar .At the other end the dangerous Conor McCahill broke down the right wing but his low dangerous cross evaded everyone. Greencastle’s Danny Murphy had a good double chance when his first effort from twelve yards out was blocked by a defender and second was deflected for a corner. The visitors fought to get back in to the game and a Benny Hegarty shot after a McCahil run and cross was well saved by Greencastle keeper Sean O’Neill. Aileach did equalise when McCahill again broke down the right wing ,went past a defender and hit a low cross in whick Yanga Modolo tapped in at the back post.The home side regained their lead minutes later when a Jamie McCormack cross from the left was punched clear by the visiting keeper but McCormack collected the rebound and curled an unstoppable effort to the bottom left corner giving the keeper no chance. Play was swinging from end to end at this stage but the home team went three one up after Gavin Harkin played a through ball to Seamie McLaughlin who received the ball on the edge of the box and chipped the advancing keeper. The lead was increased when Ben Doherty broke down the right wing and hit an excellent cross to the back post for Danny Murphy who hit a brilliant first time volley to the top corner again giving the keeper no chance. The visitors refused to lie down and got a goal back with McCahill gaining possession down the right and squared the ball back to Benny Hegarty who hit a first time left foot shot to the top corner.Before half time Greencastle’s Nathan Harkin played an excellent pass over the top from the half way line to again find Seamie McLaughlin on the edge of the box who cut inside on to his left foot and hit a powerful low shot to the bottom right corner. Aileach got another goal back two minutes before half when Madolo gained possession twenty yards out and hit a screamer to the top right corner giving O’Neill no chance. There was still time on the stroke of half time for Greencastle to score another when Carroll played in McFadden ten yards out who controlled with his first touch ,side stepped a defender and calmly slotted home to the bottom corner leaving the home team six three up at the break . The home team increased their lead five minutes in to the second half when McFadden played in Carroll who calmly fired home from twelve yards out . On the hour James Henry played the ball up to McLaughlin on the right who went past a couple of challenges and squared the ball from the byline for Harkin to fire home from six yards out for the home sides eighth. Aileach continued to battle and reduced the deficit after the ball was played up to Dermot Doherty on the left wing who cut inside to the box and hit a right foot shot to the bottom right corner. The home team added their ninth when Ben Doherty squared to ball back for McLaughlin on the edge of the area who drilled a low hard shot to the bottom left corner for his fourth of the contest. Aileach got the last goal of the game PJ Miller crossed from the right for Yanga Modolo to control inside the box and shoot home and complete his hat trick.
Hannon Greene Insurances Fr O’Gara Cup Semi Finals
Moville Celtic 3
Glengad United 0
Played in perfect conditions at Glencrow division two champions Moville caused a minor upset when defeating division one Glengad United and laid the foundation with a superb first half performance. They go a dream start in the fifth minute after a superb marc Bell through ball found Michael McNaught who controlled and fired low past Ronan Lafferty from twelve yards. McNaught then volleyed over from the edge of the area minutes later. Glengads only chance of the first half saw an audacious forty yards lob from Joe Doherty crash back off the crossbar. Moville pressed forward and Norbet Indyka was denied by a good save from Lafferty before McNaugh had an effort cleared off the line by Owen Doherty. Moville grabbed a second goal on the half hour with McNaught and Bell combining well for the Bell to shoot high to the roof of the net from twelve yards. It was a different story after the break with Glengad coming out with all guns blazing. In the opening minute Joe Doherty found himself one on one with Jordan McLaughlin who blocked the initial attempt and recovered to smother the follow up. Seamus Doherty then saw a free kick come back to him off the defensive wall and his follow up flashed just wide. The visitors continued to press and when Joe Doherty controlled and turned inside the area his shot flew just wide. In a rare foray forward McNaught a McNaught cross was met with a firm header from bell but Lafferty made a good save. It was all Glengad and they forced a umber of corners but the home defence well marshalled by Dermot Harkin in particular stood firm. Then in injury time Jay Gillen collected the ball wide on the left and cut inside into the area before firing high to the top corner from a tight angle to send Moville into next week’s final.
(L-R, E McNamee Glengad Capt. Seamus Doherty , V. Armianovskyi ,Moville Capt. Dermot Harkin & W. Harvey)
(Moville’s scorers Jay Gillen, Marc Bell & Michael McNaught)
Cockhill Youth 4
QPS Youth 0
Division one league champions Cockhill Youth entertained Division Two A QPS Youth in dry overcast conditions and in the end they proved too strong to book their place in next weeks final against division two champions Moville Celtic. After a well contested opening half hour the home side broke the deadlock with PJ Doherty converting a penalty past Cain Breslin after a handball inside the area. They added their second on the stroke of half time when a short to corner to Liam Bradley who crossed deep to the back post for Paul Mullan to volley past Breslin. The patter continued after the break and the home side increased their advantage when Devin McCarron powered home a header from Mason McDaids corner. QPS tried to respond and a Michael McCarron corner rebounded off the back post before being cleared. Cockhill threatened again in the 82nd minute when PJ Doherty evaded a number of tackles before pulling the ball back to substitute Darragh McDermott but he fired over the top. They completed the scoring in the 85th minute after Ryan Downey advanced from deep and slipped the ball through for McDermott to slide the ball low past Breslin. QPS were denied a consolation when McCarron’s free was well saved by Dean O’Donnell .
Inishowen Engineering Division Two A
Cockhill Colts 2
Rashenny FC 2
The Colts took an early lead in the 6th minute after Ionut Lebada foud Liam O’Donnell whose cross was calmly slotted home by Owen Bradley from six yards. But Rashenny levelled on 13 minutes after a David McLaughlin effort was parried by Graham Doherty but Jake O’Donnell reacted first to slot home from close range. Cockhill had the next chance on 29 minutes after O Donnell playing Peter Bardley in behind the Rashenny defence but he shot over the bar. The home side regained the lead in the 51 st minute after Darragh Lyons intercepted keeper Damien Friel’s attempted pass and slotted to the empty net. Defences were on top then for a long period until the 87th minute when after a mix up in the home defence O’Donnell pounced to shoot low past Doherty and salvage a point.
Inishowen Engineering Division Two B
Aileach Youths 2
Redcastle Res 1
Played midweek In a game played in near perfect conditions both teams showed good intent from the start. Both keepers Dylan Clarke for Aileach and Michael McCole for Redcastle made good saves inside the opening 30 minutes to keep the game level. Aileach made the breakthrough in the 38th minute when Darren Bradley scored from a direct free kick on the edge of the Redcastle Box. Redcastle pushed hard for an equaliser with Aileach having goalkeeper Clarke to thank for preserving their lead. Bradley all but wrapped the game up for Aileach in the 77th minute when he found the top corner from twenty five yards out. Redcastle kept at it and got their reward when Shay Sweeny made a good run forward and placed a super shot low to the corner to reduce the deficit to the minimum. The visitors pushed hard in the closing stages but the home defence held firm to see the game out and collect all three points.
Carn Res 1
Rashenny Res 3
Played on Friday evening there was little gal mouth action until the 20th minute when the home sides Matthew Doherty was sent through but shot wide. Ryan Diver then had a shot deflected wide for a corner on the half hour and from the resulting corner the ball fell to Ryan O Donnell and he laid it off to Davin McLaughlin but his shot just cleared the crossbar. Against the run of play the visitors opened the scoring on 33 minutes when Aaron Harkin drove a powerful free kick from the edge of the area low and hard to the bottom corner. The visitors started the second half well with George McGuinness capitalising on a defensive error to slot low past Jack O’Brien in the home goal. Rashenny made it three nil on 76 minutes after good interplay ended with Harkin advancing in to the area and finishing low past O’Brien. Carn got the reward of a consolation goal in the 88th minute when Dion Diver poked one home from six yards after the Rashenny defence had failed to clear.
Greencastle Youths 2
Rashenny Res 2
In excellent conditions at Chapel Lane the visitors took the lead in the fifth minute after Gareth McKeever raced clear onto a ball over the top and slotted low past Lucas Frizzell in the home goal. They went close again with an Eoin Fowley free kick which shaved the post. Greencastle responded and Ronan Doherty was denied by the advancing Roger McGilloway before Ryan Sharkey had a twenty yards effort turned around the post. At the other end an Aaron Harkin corner was headed narrowly wide by James McConalogue. The home side levelled the game before the interval when Sharkey fired a twenty five yards free to the top corner for a superb equaliser. The visitors started the second half well and when McKeever raced clear in a one on one he was denied by Frizell who recovered to smother the follow up effort. Frizell then saved a free kick from Fowley as Rashenny pressed to regain the lead. Midway through the half the home side replied after a long Josh Caldwell kick out sent Mick McDermott clear on the right hand side but form a tight angle he could only find the side netting. Greencastle then took the lead on 80 minutes after Ronan Doherty converted a penalty after he had been fouled. McCloskey headed wide at the back post for the visitors while at the other end Proce got on the end of Eugene O’Donnell free kick but could not direct his header on target. The visitors snatched a point in injury time after a Harkin free into the area was bundled home by McGilloway from close range. There was still time for the home side to create one last chance to win the game when Sharkey played Price through on goal but well placed he could not find the target and both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.
(Greencastle scorers Ryan Sharkey & Ronan Doherty pictured below)
(Rashenny scorers Gareth McKeever & Roger McGilloway)
Aileach Youths 5
Glengad Res 1
The home side opened the scoring in the 20th minute after a scramble in the box saw Aaron Doherty poke the ball home from close range. They added a second minutes later with Lucas McGeady firing a free kick from the edge of the area to the net. Glengad reduced the deficit on the half hour after Jayden McDaids cross found Adam McColgan to slide the ball home at the back post. But the home side regained their two goal cushion after Doherty ran clear of the visitors defence to shoot low past Michael McLaughlin from twenty yards. It got better for the home side on the stroke of half time after good work from Darragh Kerrigan set up McGeady to get his second from twelve yards. Glengad had the first opportunity in the second half with Christopher McKinley seeing an effort saved by Dylan Clarke. But Aileach added their fifth goal with with leon Doherty setting up Aaron Doherty to sidefoot home from ten yards and complete his hat trick. Glengad had the final chance of the game with a Kyle McConalogue effort crashing off the bar before being cleared.
Moville Res 1
Dunree Res 5
Dunree started this game the better and took the lead on 16 minutes after a Patrick Doherty free from the edge of the area took a deflection and wrong footed Stephen Teles in the home goal. Six minutes later good play on the right hand side saw Dohertys cross slotted home at the back post by James Gillespie. Dunree then added a third goal on the half hour mark with Doherty latching onto a long ball over the Moville defence and rounding Teles to slot the ball to the net. The visitors increased their lead in the 50th minute with Doherty beating three men on the edge of he area and when the ball ricochet back into his path he fired low to the bottom corner from twelve yards to claim his hat trick. Midway through the half Dunree made it five nil after a Gillespie cross was sidefooted home by Logan Cuffe giving Teles no chance. Moville battled throughout and got a consolation goal when an Oisin McGroarty diagonal ball was well controlled by Vernon Kelly before he hammered to the top corner from fourteen yards.
Carn Res 2
Culdaff Res 2
Carn started strong and Daire Tully had first chance on 3 minutes hitting a shot just over bar. Midway through the half they had another chance when Davin McLaughlin shot just wide before Dion Diver just missed target when put through. Culdaff came into game and Thomas O’Brien opened scoring for them with a crisp low finish before Michael McFadden hit a dangerous free just over . Carn got back on terms Diver scoring with a spectacular scissor kick. Diver then doubled Carn’s tally when Dermot Doherty bush played a through ball for him to run onto and shoot low past Patrick Mclaughlin on the stroke of half time. After a slow start to the second half Culdaff equalised on the hour mark when Tiernan McGeoghaghan scored with a powerful low drive. It was end to end from there on in but both defences stood firm. Carn had a late chance through Jack O Brien who just mishit from edge of box.