Match Reports 22nd & 23rd April
Inishowen Football League
Saturday Maginn Park 5pm ET & Pens
Inishowen Engineering Division 2 A League Play Off
Buncrana Reserves 3
Gleneely Colts 1
In beautiful conditions on Saturday evening at Maginn Park Tony O’Loughlin’s young Buncrana Hearts Reserve side came from behind to defeat Gleneely and clinch the Division Two A Inishowen Engineering Reserve League title and promotion. Gleneely had an early chance after a defensive error when Nathan McLaughlin fired just wide from twenty yards. Buncrana took over then for a spell with Alan Friel firing over from a corner and Gerard Boyle finding space in the area but shooting weakly at Adrian Duffy. They created a gilt edged chance on 17 minutes when a superb Mark McFadden through ball released Friel on the right and he picked out John Timlin on the penalty spot but he scuffed his effort wide when he should have done better. But Gleneely took the lead on 23 minutes after a Dylan McDaid corner found John Doherty who controlled well, turned and fired past Cathal McNutt from pint blank range. Buncrana upped the tempo and spurned another great chance when a brilliant burst down the left by James Quigley saw his cross find the unmarked Fletcher who headed over the bar from six yards. Minutes later a deep James Adair cross from the right found Paul McDaid whose header was tipped over the bar by Duffy. Buncrana dominated long periods of the second half and got off to a dream start on 47 minutes when Quigley’s low powerful free was well parried away by Duffy but when the ball was returned to the back post Gerard Boyle volleyed low to the corner. Timlin then had a driven effort from the edge of the area deflected wide before at the other end a mazy Cory O’Brien run took him past several players into the area before a Brendan Murphy tackle saved the day for the hearts. On the hour mark Buncrana took the lead when Adair’s free from inside his own half bounced over a defender and was lashed home by Alan Friel from twelve yards. Buncrana continued to press and McDaid at full stretch just failed to connect with a Craig Doherty free. Gleneely were restricted to set pieces to get the ball towards the other goal but failed to trouble McNutt . Buncrana got the crucial third goal when on 76 minutes when a long delivery from Adair wide on the right sailed over Duffy and into the net. Gleneely emptied the bench and pushed men forward in the closing stages but the Hearts defence with McFadden, Adair, Murphy and Doherty stood firm and better us of the ball on the break could have given them a few more chances.
Man of the Match
For Gleneely Christy Smith was very comfortable on the ball , Cory O Brien was a big threat and John Doherty commanded well at the back. For the winners the experience of Gerard Boyle and Alan Friel was a big factor in their win but James Quigley deserves the award for his tireless workrate in midfield and his ability to break forward and create chances.
Buncrana Hearts Reserves winners of Division Two “A”
Gleneely Colts Division Two “A” Runners Up
Sunday 23rd April
Knockalla Caravans Senior Cup 
Greencastle FC 1
Letterkenny Rovers 4
In truth the margin of victory has flattered Rovers as greencastle gave as good as they got for long periods but failed to take their chances when they came. After an even opening period Rovers broke the deadlock on 27 minutes after JP O Doherty parried a corner and Darren McElwaine slotted the loose ball home. When the home defence failed to clear another corner McElwaine fired past Gavin Harkin on the line despite his best efforts to clear. Greencastle battled back well Jamie McCormick fired over from ten yards before Matthew Henry raced clear but fired over. They reduced the deficit on 39 minutes when after a lovely build up Michael Henry played a one two with brother Matthew before slotting low in off the post past Christopher Sweeney. But the home side lost possession in a crucial area and Lee Toland raced clear to round O Doherty and slot home. With the home side appealing in vain for offside the Senior league side added a fourth on 58 minutes. But Greencastle still rallied and James Henry went close on a couple of occasions before Christy Hegarty fired at Sweeney when well placed. Letterkenny closed out the game to advance to the final.
Glengad United 2
Cockhill Celtic 2 AET Glengad win 3.2 on penos
In an entertaining game Cockhill equalised in the 94th minute of normal time to force extra time but Glengad advanced after a dramatic penalty shootout. Glengad started well and when Nigel McMonagle released Patrick McDermott he fired straight at Gavin Cullen. They broke the deadlock on 8 minutes when after a good build up Jason Doherty fed McMonagle who fired a stunning effort to the top corner from twenty five yards. They almost added another on 15minutes when McDermott fed James McKinney on the right and his cross found Terence Doherty but he failed to hit the target when well placed. Midway through the half the visitors equalised when a Gerry Gill free found Gerard McLaughlin whose header came off the bar for Derek Doherty to bundle the ball home. Glengad had the final chance of the half after McKinney released Stephen McLaughlin whose effort on the run shaved the outside of the post. Glengad started the second half the better also and in an identical earlier move McKinney crossed but Doherty again fired wide. They regained the lead on the hour when Adam Byrne rose highest to power a Stephen McLaughlin corner to the top corner. Cockhill replied and after Gill’s corner James Bradley was unlucky to see his header rebound off the bar. Glengad had a great chance to seal the game on 79 minutes after a brilliant McDermott pass in behind the Cockhill defence sent Doherty clear but he fired wide. Then deep into injury time Bradley crossed for Darragh McDermott to head to the top corner and force extra time. The only chance of note in extra time was a long range effort from Gill that Houghton saved comfortably. In the shootout John G McLaughlin, Michael & Matthew Byrne all converted to give the home side a deserved victory.
Charlie O Donnell Cup Semi Final
Culdaff FC 2
Moville Celtic 0
In a poor game overall dominated by the windy conditions the home side just about deserved to go through. Moville had the first chance on 12 minutes when a James Gillen effort from distance sailed just over Darragh McLaughlin’s crossbar.Culdaff replied and Brendan Mclaughlin ran through the middle but fired wide from twenty yards. McLaughlin then opened the scoring on 27 minutes when he converted a penalty after Eugene McLaughlin was upended. Moville responded well to this set back with Gillen’s free tipped over by McLaughlin and Conor Doherty firing narrowly past the far post after racing onto a long ball up the left. Moville with the wind started the better on the resumption but struggled to create clear chances. Charlie Gill fired two long range efforts well over before the same player had a half chance but fired straight at McLaughlin. On 57 minutes a superb Eugene McLaughlin cross found substitute Michael Coyle who fired over from six yards. Coyle then suffered a suspected broken nose in an accidental clash and was replaced by Niall McLaughlin. Culdaff sealed the tie on 76 minutes when a Brendan McLaughlin free came back off the post for Dillon Ruddy to dive in bravely and head home. Brendan McLaughlin then broke clean through the Moville defence but fired wide when he really should have scored. Late pressure from Moville saw Ryan Killen get on the end of a deep corner kick but his close range effort came back off the post.
Illies Celtic 0
Aileach FC 1 AET
Premier division Aileach were the better team for long periods but had to wait until deep into extra time to advance. Gavin Doherty ahd an early free which rebounded off the post while Illies Michael Coyle fed Liam Doherty but his effort was saved by David McGeady. Aileach were unlucky again on 39minutes after Gavin Doherty burst through the home defence and when his initial effort came off the post the rebound was superbly saved by Johnathan Noone. Ten minutes into the second half Jordan McGeady unleashed an effort which crashed back off the crossbar to Anthony Doherty but his follow up was brilliantly saved by the outstretched hand of Noone.Midway through the half Coyle pulled the ball back for JP Donaghey but he fired over from fifteen yards. On 73 minutes McGeady was upended inside the area but Anthony Doherty’s spotkick was brilliantly saved by Noone and his follow up was cleared off the line by Paddy Doherty. Late in normal time Doherty broke clear again but this time Noone blocked with his legs. Illies had claims for a penalty waved aside in the opening period but on 108 minutes Aileach struck for the winner. Gavin Doherty beat four defenders inside the area and when Noone blocked his effort McGeady was on hand to slot the ball home.
Premier Division Promotion /Relegation Play Off
QPS 2
Clonmany Res 1
QPS maintained their premier division status with this hard earned but well deserved win over a Clonmany Res side who on this performance would give most teams a game in the premier division. The point started well and on 12 minutes Conor Barrow released Stephen Grant who raced into the area but was denied by a superb save from Kyle Devlin.A minute later Adam Harkin lifted the ball over the Clonmany defence in the middle for Barrow to lob Devlin and see his effort go in off the post. After some neat footwork on the edge of the area Barrow fired wide before Sean Martin had an effort deflected. Clonmany responded and Brendan Doherty had a shot blocked by Harkin after a corner before both Jake Harkin and Dean Kelly headed over after a free and a corner respectively. Then on 40 minutes the points Sean Martin was unlucky with a twenty yards free which came back off the post. Within a minute Clonmany were back on terms when Brendan Doherty converted a spot kick after Danny Devlin was bundled over inside the area. The point started the second period well and a superb run from Grant from left to right into the area ended with a low shot which Devlin saved superbly . On 56 minutes a deep Ross Nicholas cross was headed over by Declan Bown. Clonmany responded and a superb ball from the back by Martin Kelly found Conor Doherty advancing into the area on the left but Oisin Burke advanced to smother. The key moment came on 67 minutes when Sean Martin fired a free kick from the left hand edge of the area across Devlin to the far corner. Clonmany pressed hard and when Jack Doherty fed Danny Devlin his effort was deflected wide . An inswinging Jack Doherty corner in the final minute found Dean Kelly who headed inches wide as the point held on to their premier division status.