Match Reports 12th Feb
Inishowen Football League 12th February
Knockalla Caravans Senior Cup
Greencastle FC 5
Monaghan Town 0
Playing with the wind Greencastle got off to a great start dominating possession and forcing the visitors back
. They broke the deadlock on 18minutes when Matthew Henry despatched a superb effort from the edge of the area low to the corner . Before the break the same player despatched a twenty yards effort into the opposite corner to give Greencastle a comfortable half time lead. Minutes into the second period Mark Henry fed Matthew Henry and he squared for Sean Cavanagh to slot home the third. Midway through the half it became four nil after Michael Barr got on the end of a Jamie McCormick cross to slot home from fifteen yards. They completed the scoring late on when substitute Christy Hegarty lobbed the keeper to put the icing on a superb all round performance.
QPS 0
Derry City Res 1
A last-minute Sean McBride goal gave Derry City Reserves victory in a highly competitive game against Quigley’s Point Swifts in Muff. The home side were the better team in the first half and should have taken the lead after four minutes. After a poor clearance from Derry goalkeeper Jason McCallion, Raymond Rogan picked up the ball just outside the box and fed the ball to Denim McLaughlin but his shot was cleared off the line. The visitors struggled to find a rhythm, with the Muff side’s physicality and constant pressure game forcing the young reserve side into mistakes. On twenty-four minutes, Mickey Nicholas’s eighteen yard shot sailed just over. Four minutes later, the home side went close again when DJ Canavan’s long free-kick eluded the Derry defence and found Connor Barrow, but his lobbed effort drifted agonisingly over the bar. Derry had periods of possession but failed to create any clear first-half chances against a strong Quigley’s Point defence.
The high-tempo of the game continued as the second half started, and Swifts went close again on fifty-minutes when Nicholas’s header from a Barrow cross went inches wide. But a switch in formation from Derry saw them gain a foothold in the game. On fifty-seven minutes a lofted through ball from Ronan Wilson released substitute Sean McBride, but a poor first touch from the striker allowed Canavan to clear the danger. Four minutes later, Paul Doherty’s excellent cross from the right found McBride at the back post and his header forced Point keeper Oisin Burke into a low point-blank save.
The visitors cranked up the pressure, with their fluid passing game stretching the home team. Another excellent through ball from Wilson put Shane McNamee through on goal who dinked the ball over an oncoming Burke, but Josh McConnellogue’s brilliant goal-line clearance kept the scores level. Paul Doherty and Lee McColgan both went close from free-kicks, but Quigley’s Point defence stood firm.
Derry almost took the lead with five minutes remaining when Stephen Grant’s clearance from a corner ricocheted off a Derry player onto the crossbar before the Quigley’s Point scrambled the ball away. At the other end, Sean Martin’s free kick was met by the head of McConnellogue and McCallion had to be alert to make a smart stop.
With the game heading for extra-time, Derry made the breakthrough in the dying seconds. Matt Doherty picked up the ball outside the Swifts area and was forced out left by the home defence. But under pressure the midfielder somehow managed to play a smart ball into the six-yard box which found an unmarked McBride, and the striker tapped home to secure Derry City Reserves progress into the next round. However, with a crucial period of the season coming up, Quigley’s Point Swifts can take a lot of positives from their performance against a very talented young side.
Jackie Crossan Premier Division
Dunree United 1
Buncrana Hearts 1
This local derby began at a high tempo with the home side having the first effort after a Kevin McColgan shot was well saved by Corey Wilson. Buncrana’s best chance of the half came on 35 minutes when an Adam Duffy effort came off the post from twelve yards. Dunree went close in the opening minute of the second half after a Kyle McDaid first time effort flew inches over the bar. Buncrana then broke the deadlock on 71 minutes after Stephen McHugh collected possession in midfield and fed Duffy on the left and he fired low past Philip Doherty from a tight angle. But the home side equalised on 82 minutes when a Conor Doherty cross fell to Peter O Neill and he fired home from six yards. Buncrana pushed forward and McHugh was denied by a superb save from Doherty low to his left. At the other end another effort from McColgan was tipped onto the post by Wilson.
Clonmany Shamrocks 3
Aileach FC 0
There was a very poor opening to this game with little goalmouth action until the 23rd minute when Dessie Doherty fed Paddy Doherty but from an acute angle his effort was well saved by John Roulstone. Minutes later the same player pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the area but fired just wide. Aileach ended the half well with Gavin Doherty heading wide at the back post before an Anthony Doherty effort drew a full length diving save from Patrick Harkin. The shamrocks broke the deadlock minutes into the second half after Paul McDemott charged down an attempted clearance from Roulstone and the ball rolled into the net.The shamrocks spurned a great chance then after Jamie Coyle pulled the ball back into the path of Doherty who blazed over from eight yards. At the other end Darren McMonagle went close with a good effort from distance .Clonmany finished strongly and Aiden Friel found Coyle whose effort was saved by Roulstone.Friel then delivered a free kick which found the unmarked Andrew Doherty to head home. Mark McLaughlin completed the scoring when he beat three men before driving low to the corner from the edge of the area.
Carn FC 1
Culdaff FC 1
As expected this was a close hard fought affair with a draw a fair result at the end of the day. Culdaff were always a threat going forward with Brendan McLaughlin and Bryan McCandless lively.
There was very little goalmouth action at either end but Culdaff were the more pressing team but they failed to create clear chances. A Eugene Mclaughlin effort almost caught Kyle Dougal off his line but he tipped the ball onto the bar before a scramble following a corner saw Michael Coyle denied by Dougal on the line. In the second half Culdaff broke the deadlock on 58 minutes when Eugene Mclaughlin crossed for Coyle whose effort was well saved by Dougal but Brendan McLaughlin drove the loose ball to the net. Carn suffered a blow then when Declan McGonagle was redcarded for a second caution. But Carn seemed to be rejuveneated and forced the visitors back for a period. They got back on terms on 76 minutes when a Ronan Doherty free sailed through a crowd of players and just inside the far post. Carn were happy to settle for a point but suffered another blow when Gert Dzerins received a second caution for simulation.
Strand Hotel Division One
Cockhill Youths 5
QPS Res 2
Cockhill kept their title hopes alive and after a quiet opening they took the lead on 24 minutes when Sean Doherty played the ball through the visitors defence for Michael Noone to slot home from ten yards. The point responded and when Paul Hegarty crossed Gavin Grant volleyed just over before Hegarty had a free kick well saved by Sean Parker. At the other end a Kevin McDaid corner was headed over by Noone. A long kick out by David Bell released Joe Johnstone who controlled well and fired past Parker to get back on terms. Cockhill almost responded immediately with Noone releasing Michael Owen Doherty but Bell advanced well to save with the striker getting injured in the process and replaced by Keegan Hegarty. In injury time the point stunned the home side when Grant fired a stunning effort from the angle of the area to the top corner. Cockhill started the second half well and Sean P Fullerton fires wide from distance On 59 minutes they got back on terms after substitute Hegarty played a fine through ball for Kevin McDaid to poke past Bell. On 75 minutes Tommy Doherty receives the ball from Noel Mclaughlin and smashes it in off the crossbar to regain the lead. On 82 minutes Noel Mc Laughlin crosses for Sean Doherty to slot into the bottom corner. Kevin McDaid twice fires wide when well placed before Bell makes a good save to deny Tommy Doherty. The home side seal the points on 89 minutes when the unmarked McDaid fired low to the bottom corner.
Hannon/Greene Insurances Fr O Gara Cup
Aileach Youths 4
Dunree Res 2
Played on Saturday night both sides played each other for the second week in succession. Both sides started cautiously without troubling either goalkeeper. Aileach took the lead on the half hour when they broke from a Dunree corner, Conor McDaid released Patrick Curran on the right wing and he sped past the Dunree defence before squaring into the path of the unrushing Shane McMonagle who sidefooted home from ten yards past Simon Taylor in the Dunree goal. Dunree almost got back on terms five minutes later when a corner fell to David Doherty who fired a shot from ten yards
that was superbly saved by Clarke in the home goal. Aileach didn’t learn their lesson and from another corner on the stroke of half time the ball was half cleared to the edge of the box to Doherty who this time found the corner to level the scores at the break. Fifteen minutes into the second half Aileach took the front again when Josh Lynch went on a good run down the left, he crossed to Curran who slotted home at the near post. Straight from the restart , Dunree pulled themselves level when a Dermot Grayson free kick was cleared to the edge of the box and David Doherty fired a volley into the bottom corner to even things up for a second time. With fifteen minutes to go Aileach took the lead for the third time when Daibhidh Grant advanced from the midfield to release Josh Lynch who fired
past Taylor from the edge of the box. With five minutes to go McMonagle released Curran who was impeded by the last Dunree defender who received a red card and from the resulting free kick Grant fired the ball into the right corner, giving Taylor no chance.
Moville Res 0
Clonmany Res 2
Clonmany with the wind advantage dominated the opening half but created little in the way of clear cut chances. They did take the lad midway through the half when a Jack Doherty free was not dealt with by the home defence allowing Danny Devlin to slot home at the back post. Moville responded and Kyle Harkin beat two defenders but fired straight at Liam McGonigle when well placed just before the break. Moville had more possession in the second period but found the visitors defence a tough nut to crack.On 66 minutes Kyle Harkin unleashed a free kick which came off the bar but that was as close as they came to scoring. Clonmany were always dangerous on the break and on 84 minutes Doherty skipped past two defenders before firing past Ryan Coyle from an acute angle.
Cockhill Res 1
Gleneely Colts 2
In very windy conditions both teams found it difficult to adjust in the
early stages with few chances early on. Cockhill had the first clear chance when Eddie Cuffe found himself free in the six yard box but his effort was well saved by Gleneely keeper Adrian Duffy. Minutes later an almost identical chance fell to Cockhill’s Jude Mullan but
again Adrian Duffy kept it out. After some Gleneely pressure as the half wore on they forced a number of corners and eventually broke the deadlock 10 minutes before half time when Cockhill failed to clear from the corner Dylan McDaid was on hand to stab the ball home from 6 yards to give Gleneely the lead. With the wind behind them Gleneely started the second half well but two fines
saves by Liam Lynch kept Cockhill in it saving shots from Corey O’Brien and Nathan McLaughlin. Cockhill began to press and put Gleneely on the back foot. John Quigley shot just over from ten yards as Cockhill pushed for an equaliser. Cockhill finally made their dominance pay when Eddie Cuffe broke down the left and cut inside to set up Gary Breslin who finished well past Adrian Duffy. Shortly after equalising Cockhill almost grabbed the lead when a great
through ball by Marty McDermott picked out Patrick McLaughlin who was through on goal with the keeper to beat but dragged his shot wide of the target. As both side pushed hard for a winner it was Gleneely who sealed a narrow and hard fought win when John Doherty sneaked the ball home from a corner after a goal mouth scramble.
Aileach Res 2
Sea Rovers 1
After an even opening Aileach ‘s Conor Harkin fired a twenty yards free goalwards but Glen Watson made a superb save. On 22minutes Paul McHugh released Stephen O Donnell but he was denied by a Graham Morgan last ditch tackle. On the half hour Harkin then skimmed the bar with another free kick. The home side then took the lead on the stroke of half time after a McHugh corner found Davy Ryan who thundered a header in off the underside of the bar. Minutes after the restart Ryan released Harkin with a ball over the top and he slid the ball low past Watson for a two nil lead. Rovers replied and Damien Ward raced onto a long ball before lobbing Ciaran Bradley from the edge of the area.Rovers then had another chance when Gary Doherty raced clear into the area but Bradley stood tall and blocked the effort.
Moville Celtic 1
Redcastle United 0
The opening piece of action came on 22minutes when Brian Tracey fed Eunan Mullan on the left but Sean McGuinness advanced to block. Moville replied and a Charlie Gill effort drifted just wide before on 38 minutes Declan McGuinness and Gill combine to release Billy McCann who slid the ball past Michael McCole only for Joe McCauley to intercept and clear. On 40 minutes McGuinness held a Shaun Curran free at the second attempt. Redcastle had another chance after Crumlish shot was blocked by the legs of McGuinness and the loose ball fell to Brendan Murphy who somehow fired wide from eight yards. The home side then went close when McGuinness was denied by a good save from McCole on the stroke of half time. Moville started the second period well with Conor Doherty feeding Michael McNaught but his angled effort hit the side netting. Moville broke the deadlock on 53 minutes when Declan McGuinness crossed for Eamon Reddin to head home at the back post. A superb cross from McNaught on 68 minutes found Jack Keys but he fired wide from six yards. Keys had another chance when he unleashed a low effort from the edge of the area but McCole held well. McCole then advanced to block from McNaught before being cleared. On 88 minutes McCauley blocked on the line to deny Conor Doherty before McNaught blazed the rebound over.
Illies Celtic 5
Culdaff Res 1
Culdaff with the wind began well and took a shock lead in the 12th minute when Niall Gordon fed Niall McLaughlin who controlled well before drilling low to the corner from the edge of the area. Illies got back on terms when a corner fell to Paddy Doherty who fired to the roof of the net on the half hour. Both Doherty and John Pio Donaghey headed wide before a Kevin McGonagle effort was tipped over by Callum Doherty. Illies dominated the second period and on 58 minutes Paddy Doherty headed home a Dominic Doherty corner. It became three then when substitute Michael Coyle beat the offside trap and fired high to the roof of the net. Martin Coyle broke clear and fired low to the corner before Michael Coyle pounced on a loose ball and fired home at the second attempt.
Rasheney FC 1
Rasheney Res 0
This local derby was a close fought affair with early shots from David McLaughlin and Paddy McGilloway just over threatening the reserve team. On 14 minutes a corner fell to James McConalogue but his effort was tipped over by reserve keeper Kieran O Neill. The reserves first attempt came on 17 minutes when Ryan McLaughlin fed Matthew Duffy but his effort came off a defender and looped over the bar. Rasheney replied and when Matthew Mclaughlin crossed O Neill claimed the ball as Charlie Doherty lurked with menace. The reserves Kevin Noone goalbound shot was headed his own bar by a defender. The reserves then went close after Alan Doherty fed Conor McDaid who hooked an effort just wide. On 32 minutes the best chance of the half fell to Rasheney when Charlie Doherty raced clear but fired tamely at O’Neill. Minutes later a quick break by the reserves with Duffy laying the ball off to McDaid whose effort on the run was well claimed by Kieran Friel. In the opening minutes of the second half David Mclaughlin had a cross held under pressure by O Neill before the same player had a long range shot saved. The decisive goal arrived on 55 minutes after a Michael Toland effort took a huge deflection off a defender and wrong footed O Neill.
Toland had a free tipped over by O’ Neill on 70 minutes before substitute Sean Toland had a free well saved as Rasheney claimed the local bragging rights.
Inishowen Engineering Division Two A
Illies Res 3
Greencastle Res 1
In windy conditions Illies started playing against the wind and took the lead on 22 minutes after an Adrian Donaghey Doherty corner was headed home by Martin Doherty past Seamus Bovaird. There was very little goalmouth action in the half but the visitors spurned a great chance on the stroke of half time when they were awarded a penalty for handball but John McDermott’s low effort was brilliantly saved by Graham Doherty. Illies dominated the second half but had to wait until 69minutes to increase the lead after Donaghey Doherty turned well and fired high past Bovaird from the edge of the area.
The same player made it three nil when he ran onto Charlie McLaughlin pass minutes later and lifted the ball over Bovaird as he advanced. Greencastle got a consolation when a superb ball from Cathal McLaughlin found Oran McDermott who finished well from twelve yards.