Match Reports 1st December
Oscar Traynor Inter League
Inishowen 1
Donegal 2
Donegal advance to the quarter finals after their second two one win over Inishowen in this two legged affair to give the visitors a four two aggregate win.For the first season since 2012 Inishowen have failed to qualify for the quarter finals
but in truth over the two legs Donegal deserved their win. As in the first game Inishowen started really well and when James Henry released Conor Barrow on 15minutes his effort was blocked by the outstretched leg of Michael McMullin with Darren McMonagle firing the rebound wide. Dillon Ruddy then unleashed two excellent efforts from twenty yards after corners had broken to him but both flew narrowly past McMullin’s left hand post with the keeper stranded. Donegal’s first clear chance came on 32 minutes after a defensive slip allowed Kyle Black to race through the centre but Dylan Doherty advanced smartly to block his effort. Donegal made the break through on 43 minutes which effectively set them on their way. Inishowen lost possession in midfield and a diagonal ball from the left by Corrie Lee Bogan found Brian Breslin who nipped in between defenders and slotted low under Doherty. The same player had another chance on the stroke of half time but fired over the bar. Inishowen pushed forward at the start of the second half and pinned the visitors back without creating any clear chances. They were rocked on the hour mark after a quick break saw Daire McDaid superbly flick the ball into the path of Christopher Dillon who finished brilliantly into the bottom left hand corner from twenty two yards. Inishowen almost got back into it from the kick off with Darren McMonagle’s deep cross finding Christopher McLaughlin but his effort came off the post. Inishowen dominated possession for the remainder of the gamebut with the visitors content to sit deep and defend, which they done superbly, the home side found it very difficult to create chances. They did reduce the deficit on 82 minutes when substitute Kevin O’Loughlin scored with an excellent header from a Matthew Byrne free. James Henry then fired wide from the edge of the area but in the end the visitors deservedly advanced to the quarter finals.
The league management committee would like to extend their thanks to all players for their effort and commitment to the Oscar Traynor squad this season, to Paul Hegarty and Brendan McDaid for their help and to physio Megan Doherty.
FAI Junior Cup
Buncrana Hearts 6
Cranford United 1
The Hearts dominated from start to finish and on 2 minutes a John O Loughlin free found Eoin Murphy who headed just over. Then a corner fell to Kevin O Loughlin on the edge of the area but his effort flew just past the post. They took the lead on 21 minutes after Gerard Boyle lobbed the advancing Jason Hegarty for an excellent finish. The home side continued to press and Gerard Mclaughlin had a header deflected onto the bar before Mikey Friel turned superbly but fired wide. The Hearts doubled their lead when Boyle connected brilliantly to score with an acrobatic bicycle kick as the half ended two nil. Boyle then completed his hat trick on 51 minutes after being released by Shane Dillon his initial lob was half stopped by the keeper but he ran on to fire home. Cranford replied with Keith Buchanan seeing a header saved by Eoghan O Doherty. They made it four nil then when after a quick break Mikey Friel outpaced the visitors defence to slot home. An own goal after a corner made it five before the visitors got a consolation. After substitute keeper Oran McBride parried well Buchanan was on hand to slot home. Buncrana ended strongly with substitute Bart Wesolowski seeing an effort brilliantly tipped round the post by Hegarty. Wesolowski added the sixth and final goal when he raced clear to round the keeper and slot home.
Greencastle FC 3
Mervue United (Galway) 3
This was a very entertaining game at Chapel Lane and one which went the whole way with the visitors leading two nil at one stage and then three one before succumbing on penalties. Enda Curran for the visitors had one early shot wide before Dylan Doherty saved another. In between those Stephen Grant for the home side released Conor Gillen over the top but he was denied by a fine save from Colm Power. Mervue got on top and both Gary Bailey and Barry Moran were off target before they took the lead on 15 minutes when Curran got on the end of Morans corner to drill home from six yards. On 33 minutes Nigel McMonagle had an effort blocked before the same player flashed a dangerous cross across goal but there were no takers. Mervue almost added a second after Curran fed Andrew Connolly but his effort crashed off the bar. The home side finished strongly before half time with McMonagle cutting in but firing just over before after a Gerry Gill corner James Henry and McMonagle both had efforts blocked. Mervue started the second half the better with Stephen Larkin, Connolly and Moran all off target with efforts.They made it two nil on 68 minutes after Larkin’s deep cross found substitute Peter Walsh who controlled and drilled low past Dylan Doherty.Greencastle upped the tempo then with Jason Dickson, substitutes Ritchie McElhinney and Christy Hegarty all having shots deflected or blocked. Hey got a goal back on 80 minutes with James Henry lifting the ball over the top into the path of Hegarty and he lobbed Power superbly. Minutes later they were back on terms when Henry fed Dickson whose low effort was well parried by Power but McMonagle pounced to slot home. In the final minute McMonagle had another good effort saved by Power forcing the game into extra time. Mervue regained the lead in the first period of extra time after Moran controlled a long ball forward and drilled a superb effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. Greencastle rallied again and drew back level midway through the swcond period with Michael Barr finding McMonagle who turned superbly and drilled low to the corner. Penalties ensued and Greencastle advanced to the last thirty two with Dylan Doherty saving two kicks to give them a four three penalty shootout win.
Cockhill Celtic 0
Usher Celtic ( Dublin) 7
A very youthful Cockhill side were no match for the visitors who boasted Junior International Jordan Buckley in their ranks.The visitors took the lead after 21 minutes after Buckleys cross found Thomas Meehan to fire past Liam McGonigle from six yards. With Cockhill on the attack a quick break saw Buckley hold the ball up and lay off for Calvin Douglas to fire a sweetly struck effort to the bottom corner from twenty five yards. Number three arrived on the stroke of half time when good interpay between Buckley,Meehan and Douglas allowed Meehan to slot home. Cockhill started the second period well and after an Oisin O Flaherty effort had been well saved Darragh McDermott’s appeals for a penalty were waved away. On 52 minutes any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Lee Roy Staunton fed Buckley who superbly chipped the ball past McGonigle. Staunton then got in on the act firing home from the edge of the area . Two late strikes from Johnny Long completed the scoring to give the visitors an emphatic win.
Jackie Crossan Premier Division
Aileach FC 2
Glengad United 3
Glengad began on the front foot and after 10 minutes Christy McLaughlin fired an effort from 12 yards which Kyle Dougall did well to gather. Aileach began to get a foothold after this with Thomas McMonagle and Gareth McGlynn pulling the strings but McLaughlin in the visitors goal was largely untroubled. Toward the end of the half a Glengad corner from the left was flicked on by Michael Byrne and some the ball managed to go across goal and out for a goal kick without anyone getting a touch. On the stroke of half time the home side grabbed the lead somewhat against the run of play when Thomas McMonagle found Ethan Canning wide left and his early cross found Gareth Mc Glynn making a late run into the box and he headed past McLaughlin from 6 yards. Glengad upped the tempo in the second half and were level on the hour when a long throw found Terence Doherty and he somehow managed to fire in off the bar from the narrowest of angles. This gave Glengad belief and within 5 minutes they were ahead when Conor Barrow cut in from the left and clipped a ball which Dougal got a hand to but couldn’t prevent it crossing the line. With 15 minutes left the away side stretched their lead when a corner from the right by Christy McLaughlin was bundled home by John Gerard McLaughlin. Aileach got one back with time almost up when Darren Gallagher crossed for Paddy Slevin to head home from close range. During 5 minutes of injury time Aileach threw everything at Glengad in search of an equaliser but the away side held out for a crucial victory
Culdaff FC 1
Illies Celtic 2
For the second week running the home side fell to a single goal defeat as they search for that elusive first point of the season.They had a great chance in the opening minutes after a poor kick out fell to Michael Coyle but he fired a first time effort wide. A Conor Doherty cross from the left then found Noel Mclaughlin at full stretch but he could only fire into the side netting. They came close again on 28 minutes after Coyle laid the ball off to Darren Mullarkey whose powerful effort crashed off the post with keeper Noone beaten. Against the run of play Illies opened the scoring after Brendan Doherty broke on the right and pulled the ball back superbly for Liam Doherty to slot home from twelve yards. Culdaff pushed hard at the start of the second half with a Noel Mclaughlin cross cum shot after good build up just missing the far post. The visitors were dealt a blow on the hour after Liam Doherty collected a second yellow card and from the free kick by Mullarkey Damien Harkin glanced a header just wide. Illies broke upfield and when Gavin Doherty set up Illies Michael Coyle his effort came off the post when he should have scored.On 66 minutes a quick break by the visitors saw Brendan Doherty cut in from the right sidestep a defender and finish well past McLaughlin. Culdaff pushed men forward but a defensive lapse on 83 minutes gave substitute David Doherty a clear sight of goal but he fired straight at McLaughlin. Culdaff got a goal back after substitute Niall McLaughlin got on the end of an Aiden Cunningham cross to head home from an acute angle. Pushing forward again another defensive lapse let John Campbell in but he fired wide with the goal gaping. In injury time Culdaff broke and Cunninghams cross was met by McLaughlin but he sidefooted wide.
Carn FC 2
Moville Celtic 1
Carn recorded a second successive win as they came from behind to defeat Moville at St Patricks Park. An audacious lob by Brandon Browne was just off target in the opening minutes before at the other end Conor Doherty sliced wide after a Jack McConalogue cross. Marc Bell then had a bicycle kick saved by Gerard Crossan. Carn responded with Michael McDermott firing over before after a Lorcan Bradley cross Cade Cooke had an effort cleared off the line. Cooke then had an effort saved by Seamus Houghton before Moville took the lead on 40 minutes when Stephen Harley’s free was parried by Crossan but Finn McLaughlin reacted first to slot home. Carn replied immediately and got back on terms after Browne broke on the right and his cross was swept home by Cooke from ten yards. Browne then had an effort saved by Houghton before at the other end Caolan Doherty’s effort was punched clear by Crossan. Carn started the second period well with Ryan Kelly firing a free kick over before they took the lead on 53 minutes. Browne broke on the right hand side and cut in before firing a stunning twenty five yards effort into the top corner. Carn then had a Cade Cooke effort cleared off the line and from the corner a Ryan Kelly header was also cleared away . Carn continued to press and Cooke broke into the area but when the ball broke to Browne he dragged his effort wide. In the final minutes Barry Fallon released Cooke again but his goalbound effort was cleared by a retreating defender.
Strand Hotel Division One
Glengad Res 1
Aileach Res 1
Defences dominated the opening twenty minutes but the home side sprung into life with two chances thereafter. On 24 minutes John G McDermott crossed for Paul McDermott but he failed to hit the target from fifteen yards. Then on 32 minutes a John McDaid ball over the top sent PJ McDaid clear and his effort was well smothered by the advancing keeper David McGeady. The second half saw more goalmouth action with Killian O Rourke crossing from the right for Shane McMonage who glanced a header just wide. Glengad responded and a good cross from PJ McDaid found JG McDermott who laid the ball back for Jason Doherty but his effort was well saved by McGeady. O’Rourke then found space on the left and fed Stephen Doherty but he miscontrolled when well placed and the chance was lost.At the other end Jason Doherty found Paul McDermott but from eight yards he blazed over the bar. The home side though they had won the game on 86 minutes when JG McDermott fed Kelly who unselfishly squared for Nathan McConalogue to fire home from ten yards. But in the last minute with the home defence defending too deep the ball broke to O’Rourke on the edge of the area and he drilled to the bottom corner to salvage a point.
Redcastle United 2
Clonmany Shamrocks 3
It wasn’t the most entertaining first half. Clonmany were just about the better team but no one created any chances. The only moment of magic in the first half came from Gavin Grant when he saw his free kick from 20 yards get up over the wall and drop back down into the top corner leaving the keeper helpless and giving Redcastle the lead 5 minutes before the half time break. Clonmany pushed for an equaliser at the start of the second half but the Redcastle defence stood firm. Redcastle doubled their lead on 58 minutes when a clonmany corner was cleared to Daragh McConway on the half way line, he played it off to Jack Ferry who played it first time into the path of McConway, who then crossed to Rory Hirrell but his shot was smartly saved by the goalkeeper but on the rebound Hirrell made no mistake and put the ball in the net. Clonmany got back into the game when a goalmouth scramble was well finished by Steve Harkin. Five minutes later Redcastle gave a way a penalty for handball. Oisin Hession stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way as he stroked the ball into the bottom left corner. Minutes later Clonmany then took the lead when Dean Harkin played in Jason Devlin and he fired past the keeper, turning the game on its head. Redcastle pushed for an equaliser but didn’t create any clear chances and this is a crucial result for the shamrocks after a couple of poor performances.
Greencastle Res 0
QPS 4
In an entertaining clash there were chances aplenty with John McCloskey for the point seeing a spectacular overhead kick fly wide while at the other end Gavin Rowan fired over from the edge of the area. The point took the lead on 7 minutes after Jack McKenna in the Greencastle goal had parried a long range effort from Stephen McHendry but Caolan McColgan followed up to slot the loose ball home. Joe Doherty then had two efforts for Greencastle both well saved by Aiden Lynch . The point then doubled their lead midway through the half when Caolan McColgan collected possession near halfway and evaded several challenges before advancing into the area and slotting low past McKenna. McColgan then fired just over before David Healy also failed to hit the target when well placed. Greencastle had a good spell before the interval with Andrew peoples heading over, Shea McLaughlin denied by Lynch who then pulled off a tremendous point blank effort to deny Mark Browne. Greencastle started the second half well with Shea McLaughlin seeing an effort deflected over, Gavin Rowan firing a free over and Peoples seeing an effort saved. The point replied with substitute Shay Lynch firing narrowly wide before a Deaglan Bowen header was brilliantly tipped over. Shea Mclaughlin then saw a snapshot well saved by Lynch before two late goals sealed the win for the Point. Caolan McColgan fired a low powerful effort to the bottom corner from the edge of the area before minutes later the same player completed his hat trick when he sidefooted home Lynch’s cross.
Gleneely Colts 1
Rasheney FC 0
Played in glorious winter sunshine, Gleneely started the brighter, forcing Rasheney on the back foot. They took the lead on 15minutes, when good play in midfield between Dylan McDaid and JJ Doherty, who fed the ball to Adrian Duffy and he advanced to the edge of the area to lob the O’Neill from 18yards into the top corner. Play was evenly matched with a few half chances from David and John Mclaughlin for Rasheney and then JJ Doherty and Nathan McLaughlin for Gleneely. In the second half, Rasheney started on the front foot, with David McLaughlin prominent down their left wide, who cut inside and had a snap shot across the face of goal after the hour mark. Gleneely had a chance on 75 minutes when Keelan Hegarty’s free from the left went all the way across the goal, begging to be poked home. Two mins later, Darragh O Connor found himself in a great position, 10 yards out but he sliced wide when played in by a great ball from JJ Doherty. A few minutes later,Gleneely were reduced to 10 men after Doherty was red carded for an off the ball incident. This spurred on the away side and they piled forward. The Gleneely defence held well and limited Rasheney to a few half chances and they held out for the a vital three points.
Inishowen Engineering Division Two
Clonmany Celtic 6
Aileach Yths 1
After an even opening period the home side took the lead on 21 minutes when Dessie Doherty ‘s cross found Alan Friel who headed home from ten yards past Dylan Clarke. They made it two nil before the break after John Doherty curled a superb effort from the edge of the area into the top corner. Aileach got back into the game on 48 minutes when they reduced the deficit with Aaron Doherty converting a penalty after Darren Bradley had been upended. But on the hour Clonmany restored their advantage also from the penalty spot when Friel converted after Kevin Harkin had been fouled. Harkin then pounced on a defensive error to make it four one from close range before Karol Harkin made it five with a brilliant solo goal. He beat two men in midfield before advancing past two more defenders and then firing to the top corner. When the Aileach defence failed to clear Kevin harkin got his second of the game from close range.
Redcastle Res 2
Clonmany Res 1
The first half saw defences on top and both sides having one chance each. The first fell to the visitors midway through the half but Michael Devlin was denied by a good save from Barry Hegarty. Redcastle replied on 38 minutes after a Ryan Duffy effort was saved by Tiernan Doherty. Redcastle started the second half well with Caonan Mulcahy seeing an effort tipped onto the bar by Doherty before a long range Aiden Ferns effort was also saved.Clonmany responded and Hegarty pulled off a good save to deny Tiernan McDonald and keep the game scoreless. The homeside then made the break through on 68minutes when Oran Farren threaded a pass into the path of Terry McColgan and he rounded Doherty to slot home. The visitors got back into the game when Michael Devlin converted a penalty awarded after McDonald had been upended. But the home side struck for the winner when a scramble developed after a corner and the ball broke to Darren Harkin on the edge of the area and he drilled home through a crowd of players. Clonmany had a late chance when an attempted lob by Dan Nolan was saved by the retreating Hegarty to clinch the points.
Culdaff Res 1
Cockhill Res 1
After an even opening period the home side had the first sight of goal after a Mark Doherty cross found Damien Duffy but he fired over the bar. Cockhill replid when a Damien Friel cross was headed over the bar by Gary Breslin. They should have opened the scoring on 33 minutes when a Friel free found Bernard Gubbins at the back post but he fired wide when very well placed. Cockhill went close again after a Ryan McDaid cross was met by Friel but his effort was superbly saved by Dermot Callaghan in the home goal.The visitors pressure told when they broke the deadlock just before half time when Shaun Donaghey dispossessed a defender and fired low to the corner from the edge of the area. On 55 minutes Culdaff levelled after a Mark Doherty free found the unmarked Joe O Connor who controlled and fired low past Sean Friel to restore parity. On the hour mark Peter McCallion advanced from the right and saw his effort saved by Friel.Cockhill spurned a good chance after a corner found Donaghey who headed wide from twelve yards. Then on 84 minutes Kevin McDaid lobbed Callaghan but Michael McLaughlin got back to clear off the line and earn his side a point.
Moville Res 4
Carn Res 1
Moville kept their title hopes alive with a strong second half performance to clinch all three points. They took an early lead on 11 minutes after a quick Graham Doherty free released Colin Doherty and he advanced to fire low past Kyle Harkin. But the visitors equalised when Callum Crumlish fired a brilliant free kick from the edge of the area to the top corner past Ryan Coyle. Moville went close before the break with another free kick after a Conor Lafferty strike grazed the bar on the way over. The introduction of Danny Murphy for the home side changed the game on its head. On 65 minutes Conor Lafferty fed Murphy who sidestepped a defender and slotted home. Minutes later the same player broke clear and rounded the keeper to slot home. They sealed the win when Lafferty intercepted a short kick out and drilled low past Dean Mason in the visitors goal.