Match Reports 22nd September 2024
Inishowen League Reports 22.9.2024
Charlie O Donnell Cup Friday 20th September
Rashenny FC 3
Carn Youths 2
Played in a cool summer Friday evening this match turned out very eventful.
With six minutes on the clock a corner by Ryan Doherty was swung in forcing Kyle Harkin to parry the ball out from under the crossbar only for Caylum Long to swing back into the six yard box and when the clearance fell to Shane Creggan on the penalty spot he side footed home into the corner to give the home side the lead.
Carn responded and Tiernan Kelly had a shot from the edge of the box which flew past the post. Rashenny hit on break after 19 minutes after John Grant played a ball over the top to David mc Laughlin to run on to and round the keeper to double the home side’s lead. Midway through the half Shay McDaid intercepted the ball being played out from the back by the home side and squared the ball to Tiarnan Kelly who looked certain to reduce the deficit only for Shaun Friel to make an outstanding save. On the half hour Rashenny suffered a blow and were reduced to 10 men after Shaun Friel was sent off for a second yellow card. Carn had the final chance of the half when Sheeghan Doherty drove through the middle of the park to shoot from twenty five yards with Sam Coyle making a superb save after coming on to replace Friel. Carn started brightly with the one man advantage with a Callum Kelly shot from the edge of the eighteen hitting the post and cleared to safety. Rashenny immediately followed this with a break up field when Shane Creggan played a ball down the wing to David Mc Laughlin to beat the defender and keeper to make it three nil to the ten men. Carn upped the pressure and on the hour got their reward when a ball into the Rashenny box bounced around and Darragh Kelly pounced to drill home. Carns pressure was building up on the home side and a Sheghan Doherty shot from fifteen yards out was heading to the bottom corner only for Sam Coyle to make another outstanding save. It was all Carn at this stage with Rashenny defending stoutly at the back.Sean O Carroll had a long range effort from 30 yards towards the top corner but yet again Coyle made a superb save to deny him. As we headed into injury time Carn pressed on trying to find a goal. In the dying seconds of the match a deep cross to the back post by Callum Kelly found Ollie Coyle whose looping header back across goal nestled in the back of the net but the home side held on .
Presidents Cup Sat 21st September
Cockhill Celtic 0
Enniskillen Rangers 2
This clash in Ballinamllard between the winners of the IFA and FAI Junior Cups saw Cockhill come up against an Enniskillen side that was prepared to drop deep and play on the counter attack for the most part of the game. As a result the Inishowen side had loads of possession but found it very difficult to create clear chances in a congested final third. In the second minute a miscontrolled kick out by a defender saw Luke Rudden pounce but his first time effort deflected off the defender and into the side netting. Rudden was then off target with a twenty yards effort on 19 minutes. In their first meaningful attack Enniskillen took the lead on 25 minutes after Joel Byrne broke the offside trap onto a superb Nathan Khan pass into the right hand channel and when his cross fell to Stuart Rainey his close range effort was blocked by harry Doherty but the ball fell to Jake Brown to slot home from eight yards. Cockhill kept pressing and Rudden rolled a defender but volleyed over from sixteen yards and before the interval Damien Duffy blazed over from the edge of the area. The pattern continued in the second half but Cockhill were continually frustrated by the Enniskillen defence . On 55 minutes Garbhan Friel , who won a lot of aerial duels , headed wide from fourteen yards following a free kick. The Inishowen sides best chance came on 71 minutes after a powerful low free from Duffy was parried by Ben Arthurs but he recovered superbly to save Lee McColgan’s follow up from point blank range. Cockhill threw men forward in the closing stages but in injury time were caught on the break after substitute Ciaran Brough played a ball through the middle for Byrne to capitalise on indecision and poke the ball past the advancing keeper Doherty before rolling into the empty net.
Cockhill will be disappointed that they failed to utilise the amount of possession they had to better effect and it was no surprise that Enniskillen centre half Jason Keenan collected the man of the match award as he marshalled his defence superbly throughout.
FAI Junior Cup Sunday 22nd September 
Illies Celtic 1
Aileach FC 4
The opening period was a close affair with defences on top and no chances at either end. Aileach were first to show with Darren McMonagle getting on the end of a Gavin Doherty cross but firing wide. At the other end good work by Jamie McDaid saw him pull the ball back for Paul Doherty but his effort was blocked. Aileach took the lead on 39 minutes when a deep corner kick from the right was headed past Johnathan Noone by Ryan Long. The visitors doubled their lead ten minutes into the second period when Gavin Doherty dispossessed a defender and fired the ball across for Darren McMonagle to slot past Noone. The roles were reversed midway through the half after McMonagle’s cross found the unmarked Doherty to head to the roof of the net and make it three. It got better for Aileach then after Shane McMonagle broke through the home defence to fire low past Noone. Illies kept battling and scored a consolation late on after a good run and cross from David Doherty fell kindly for Patrick Curran to shoot to the roof of the net past Conan Doherty. Doherty then made an excellent save to tip over a Dominic Coyle free in the final stages.
Buncrana Hearts 1
Kilmacrennan Celtic 2
The Hearts had the opening sight of goal on 2 minutes when a Matty Brown cross found Eoin Murphy whose volley failed to trouble Liam McBride in the Kilmacrennan goal. The visitors then had a spell with Sean Harvey getting on the end of McNamee s cross but his effort was brilliantly clawed away by Taylor Clarke. Clarke made another superb save to tip a Mclaughlin twenty five yards effort onto the bar. The home side suffered a blow when they lost both Murphy and Shane Dillon to injury in the first half. Buncrana then raised the tempo and an Adam Curran clipped cross was turned round the post. From the corner the ball fell to Keelan Doherty whose cross shot found Bart Wesolowski to swivel and fire past McBride for a superb finish. The home side had the final chance of the half as well with a Liam Quigley cross finding Wesolowski whose effort was blocked. The visitors started the second half well and C Dillon had an effort smash off the crossbar for the third occasion in the game. They equalised in the 57th minute and poor defending allowed a corner to be bundled home at the near post by F Black. Another defensive error midway through the half saw Kilmacrennan take the lead with Harveys effort taking a huge deflection and looping over the stranded Clarke.
Greencastle FC 3
Ballybofey United 2
Greencastle started the game brightly and had the first chance after 5 minutes when a Nathan Harkin pass from midfield found Evan Davenport in space on the edge of the box but his first time shot was well gathered by Ballybofey keeper Chris Patton. At the other end a Ryan McGhee corner found Niall McCloskey who headed narrowly wide. The home team took the lead with 15 minutes gone when an excellent ball over the top from Harkin found striker Davenport on the edge of the box who controlled excellently with his first touch and drilled home then to the bottom corner giving Patton no chance. The visitors again had a good chance when a Ryan McGhee cross was headed just wide by Bobby Hennagan. But the home side went two up when Michael Henry crossed in to the box after a cleared corner and after a couple of attempts Brendan McClenaghan headed home from six yards. With 25 minutes gone McGhee for Ballybofey had a shot from the edge of the box cleared by Greencastle defender David Henry. Greencastle increased their lead to three ten minutes before the break when another excellent pass from midfield from Nathan Harkin found winger Cormac Bradley racing clear and shooting home to the bottom corner .At the start of the second half,Greencastle had a couple of decent chances ,with Evan Davenport shooting just narrowly wide,and a Cormac Bradley shot well saved.At the other end ,a Benny McGhee shot was tipped on to the post by home keeper William O Carroll.
The visitors were well improved in the second half and continued to press to get back in to the game ,with a long range shot cleared off the line ,and a Daithi McMahon left foot half volley going just over the bar . They got the goal their efforts deserved with five minutes to go when an Aaron McAuley free kick from the left hand side was headed home by Damien Glackin .Daithi McMahon had another chance when he broke to the edge of the box but dragged his shot just wide.Two minutes in to injury time,Ballybofey got another goal back when Daithi McMahon crossed from the left for Conor Murphy to control and shoot home from twelve yards out. Greencastle kept possession for the last couple of minutes and the home defence, well marshalled by Gavin Harkin, stood firm to advance to the next round of the cup.
Culdaff FC 0
Swilly Rovers 6
With Caratra Park undergoing remedial work this game was switched to Maginn Park and the visitors took an early lead after a Michael Kerr cross found Thomas Mullen to slot past Thomas O’Brien. Ian ward then advanced from midfield but fired over the bar. Culdaff replied and when Manus Doherty fed Jack O’Brien he failed to hit the target when well placed. Mullen was then denied again by a good save from O’Brien before the striker added a second goal on 23 minutes. Swilly increased their lead then with Kerr collecting possession and running clear to finish well. Swilly made it four nil after ten minutes of the second half with Mullen capitalizing on a defensive error. Mullen added a fifth when he ran onto a ball over the top and finished well. Culdaff had long range efforts from Aiden Cunningham and JJ Doherty saved before Matthew McGoldrick had a fine effort tipped over the bar. Swilly completed the scoring from the penalty spot with Kerr converting after Mullen had been upended.
Fanad United 2
Carn FC 0
In a tightly fought game held in good conditions in Triagh A Loch Fanad got the first chance in the second minute when Eoin Coyles pass from midfield found Daniel McElwaine who fired wide form twelve yards. Carn responded on 8 minutes after Ross Farren broke on the right wing and swept it in to Cade Cooke who unleashed a powerful shot to the centre but was well tidied up by the fanad keeper Mark McConigley Fanad then had a good chance when Keelin McElwaine broke on the right wing and crossed for Adam Carr who header was well tidied up by Daniel McDaid in the Carn goal. It was however Fanad who broke the deadlock on 15 minutes after Keelin McElwaine laid the ball off for Dylan McGlone whose cross cum shot swerved in to the top right corner of the net from twenty yards. Fanad nearly doubled their lead minutes later with Adam Carr breaking on the left and rounding the defender before squaring it for Darren McElwaine who shot low to the right and wide from ten yards. Carn nearly equalised when Conan Gibbons crossed from the left for Cade Cooke who shot straight into McConigley’s arms. Fanad nearly added another before the break when Peter Carrs cross came off the crossbar.
Fanad doubled their lead at the start of the second half when Darren McElwaine took a free kick from the edge of the 18 yard box and went to the top right corner of the net. Carn got a good chance when Conan Gibbons crossed it over to Ross Farren who show low to the right and wide from 14 yards. On 58 mins Fanad got a great chance when Keelin McElwaine broke on the right wing and rounded the defender and squared for Darren McElwaine but his effort came back off the bar. Carn kept pressing and substitute Cian Burke broke on the right and squared it for Ross Farren who failed to hit the target well placed from 10 yards. Fanad had the final chance when Peter Carr broke on the right before slipping the ball to substitute Oisin McMenamin whose powerful effort flew just past the post.
Clonmany Shamrocks 4
Monaghan United 0
The Shamrocks opened the scoring on 9 minutes after Alex Flynn in the Monaghan goal parried a corner and Jamie Coyle turned the ball home from close range. They continued to press and Jason Devlin was off target before Aaron Porter shot wide from twenty yards. For the visitors Nathan Brearley was a threat on occasions but lacked support. Midway through the half the home side doubled their advantage after Brendan Doherty played a ball into the channel for Alex McFadden who with the keeper advancing clipped the ball across for Devlin to head home. Coyle then headed wide following a Lorcan McGonigle cross. Clonman.y added a third after Porters free was headed home by the unmarked Coyle to leave the home side in control at the break. On the restart Brendan Doherty for the home side and Brandon Mylett for the visitors both had twenty five yards efforts saved by Flynn and Kieran Friel at full stretch. Clonmany then broke and added a fourth goal after McGonigles cross found Coyle who laid the ball for Alex McFadden to round Flynn and blast the ball to the net. In the last quarter Coyle poked wide and substitute Shane McCaul had an effort saved by Flynn. At the other end Marlon Ablev was narrowly off target while Mylett had an effort saved by Friel and Brearley saw a snapshot drift over the bar.
Newtowne Celtic (Cavan/Monaghan) 0
Redcastle United 5
Played on Saturday Cathal Faulkner’s side made the long trip to Ballineagh County Cavan and came away with a well deserved success. They had the fist chance on 6 minutes after Mark Farren collected a Darragh McConway cross but saw his shot saved by Darren Burke. The home side replied with a Peter Donnelly free which found Oisin Connolly but he headed over Michael McColes crossbar. Redcastle upped the tempo then and went close with a Josh McConnellogue header hitting the post before on 21 minutes Shaun Curran released McConway through the middle who superbly lobbed the advancing Burke to give the Inishowen side the lead. They added a second on the half hour when they were awarded a penalty for hand ball and Curran converted at the second attempt after Burke saved his initial effort. The home side had efforts just before and just after the break with Connolly firing wide from the edge of the area while Xavi McCarron low shot on 47 minutes was well saved by McCole. But Redcastle were on top at this stage and Darren Kelly cut in from the left and his low shot was gathered by Burke. They made it three nil in the 53rd minute when Martin McCarron fed Mark Farren who rounded the last defender and slotted home.McCarron then fired wide from the edge of the area before Farren headed over and Shay Sweeney saw a low gound shot saved by Burke. After Farren had another shot parried by Burke the ball fell to Sweeney to slot home and make it four nil. The visitors completed the scoring when Sweeneys cross was slotted home by McConway for a comfortable win.
Division One
Glengad United 1
Aileach Res 1
In a scoreless opening half the visitors were first to threaten after Benny
Hegartys powerful effort from the edge of the area crashed back off the bar. The home side responded well and a long ball from Seamus Doherty released Callum McDaid who rounded Dillon Porter but saw his shot cleared by a defender. Midway through the half they had another chance when John McDaid found Joe Doherty whose first time shot drew a superb save from Porter. Before the break Glengad went close again after Fergal & Joe Doherty combined for the latters shot to be again well saved by Porter. The home side broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when the Doherty brothers combined with
Seamus delivering a free for Joe to head across to Stephen to slot home from close range. But the visitors got back on terms within minutes after a mis timed tackle saw a penalty awarded and Anthony Doherty drove low past Michael McLaughlin. Glengad tried to respond and when Fergal Doherty fed Joe Doherty his effort was well saved by Porter. At the other end a long ball from Mark McElhinney found Stephen Doherty whose first time effort was brilliantly saved by McLaughlin.Glengad had the final chance on the stroke of full time after Joe Dohertys first time cross from the left found Caolan McColgan but he was denied by a superb save from Porter.
Dunree United 1
Buncrana Res 0
The visitors had the first sight of goal on 19 minutes when an inswinging Eoin McNamee cross was met by Jack Soal but Adam Harrigan saved well. Ten minutes later at the other end Cioan Moran won possession on the edge of the area but fired over the bar. Minutes later a free kick from Aaron Harkin caused havoc in the visitors defence and Gerry Farrells snapshot was well saved by Eoghan O’Doherty. On the stroke of half time the home side went close again with Adam Barrett playing a through ball for Moran who shot straight at O’Doherty. Dunree had the first chance of the second half when Jamie Brosnan released Gerry Farrell but his low shot was superbly tipped around the post by O’Doherty. A long kick out then by O’ Doherty sent Jack Gill clear but a superb Adam Whoriskey tackle saved the day for the home side. Dunree took the lead midway through the half after Whoriskeys pin point cross found Farrell to volley brilliantly to the top corner. Buncrana tried hard in the closing stages but could not penetrate the home defence with Dunree happy to hold on to what they had and claim the points.
Cockhill Youths 7
Carn Youths 0
Cockhill started this match on top against an understrength Carn side Conor McDaid headed narrowly wide before a Jack McDaid attempted chip dropped just wide.. Carn had a chance on 10minutes when Dayton Cooke, under pressure, shot straight at Darragh O’Donnell in the home goal. The home side then took the lead after Ryan McDaid swept home a Jack McDaid cross. They doubled their lead in the 15th minute after Shane McLaughlin finished well after a Liam Bradley run and cross. Two goals in as many minutes midway through the half ending the game as a contest. Firstly Connor McDaid finished from close range after a Jack McDaid shot was parried by Kyle Harkin before Danny McDaid made it four after his brother Jack drew the keeper and squared it.
Carn kept trying to get back into the game and on the half hour Daire Tully cushioned a cross towards Shay McDaid but he was unable to connect.
On 36minutes Ryan McDaid played in Liam Bradley down the left and his cross was caught on the half volley by McLaughlin to make it five nil at half time.
Carn had an early attempt on goal on the restart when Tully cut in from the left but his shot landed on the roof of the net. But Cockhill were relentless and it became six nil when Jack McDaid fired in from the edge of the box for a superb finish. At the other end Shay Fallon fired just over before Jack McDaid played in Danny McDaid but he was foiled by a smothering save from Kyle Harkin
Liam Bradley completed the scoring on 82mins when he cut in from the left and his low shot found the bottom corner.
Scorers Ryan McDaid ,Jack McDaid ,Shane McLaughlin ,Connor McDaid ,Danny McDaid & Liam Bradley
Moville Celtic 1
QPS 6
(Q.P.S. Hat-trick hero Denim McLaughlin pictured below)
There was an entertaining opening half at Glencrow with the visitors getting a dream start in the second minute when Denim McLaughlin tapped in from close range after a Conor Barrow cross. Moville replied with Conor Lafferty firing into the side netting before the home side equalized on ten minutes. Good work by Lafferty and Norbert Indyka set up Oisin Lynch to drill home from twelve yards. But a defensive error in the home defence allowed Barrow to slot to the unguarded net and restore the visitors lead. At the other end Luke McFadden cut inside a defender and fired narrowly over the bar. But the point ended the half well with a solo effort from Barrow saved by Ryan Coyle before they added a third goal before the break with the unmarked McLaughlin slotting home following a Ross Nicholas corner. But QPS dominated the second half and Mclaughlin completed his hat trick with an excellent finish after a Nicholas cross. Coyle in the home goal then made a fine save to deny Barrow but Josh Boyle was first to the loose ball to make it five one. Sean Og Gallagher then headed over when well placed before they completed the scoring with Barrow first to react to a loose ball inside the area to slot home.
Gleneely Colts 2
Rashenny FC 1
Rashenny started well with David McLaughlin having three attempts inside the opening 10 minutes from range that went straight into the hands of Ciaran Gallagher in the home goal. Gleneely had their first chance in when Paul Doherty headed over from a Cian McNamee corner. On 21 minutes, Rashenny broke at pace with Callum Long laying the ball across the box for David McLaughlin to shoot over from eight yards but should have done better. Gleneely took the lead midway through the half when a Mark McGonigle throw on the left found Shane Diver and he laid the ball off to Mark Diver to blast home from the edge of the box. Mark Diver had two more long range efforts that just cleared the crossbar before Rashenny equalised on 42 minutes when a short corner by Callum Long to Ryan Doherty and he clipped the ball in for David McLaughlin to glance a header to the bottom corner. On the hour mark Rashenny had a chance to go ahead when a mix up in the home defence allowed Callum Long to shoot but he pulled his effort wide. They had another chance then when Gleneely lost possession on the half way line and had a four v one situation but Callum Longs effort from six yards was brilliantly tipped over by Ciaran Gallagher. On 78 minutes Gleneelys Shane Diver rattled the crossbar but the ball was cleared to safety. Gleneely got the winner on 88 minutes when Codi Forbes did well from a long ball and Kyran Cantwell nipped it to slot the ball low to the keepers right hand corner.
Inishowen Engineering Division Two 
Dunree Res 4
QPS Youth 4
(Dunree Hat-Trick Hero Patrick Doherty pictured below)
The visitors started well and opened the scoring after a strong run down the right by Sean Og Gallagher who cut inside before slotting low past Oran Doherty.Dunree levelled matters on 16 minutes after Paul Jackson’s cross was not cleared and Patrick Doherty pounced to drill home. The Point regained the lead before the interval after a ball into the area by Ruairi O’Donnell caused confusion and drifted into the bottom corner. Minutes after the break the home side levelled again with Andrew Grant firing home from a corner to make it two all. But again the visitors regained the lead from a corner with Adam Harkin heading past Doherty.But within a minute Dunree made it three each with a thunderous thirty yards free from Patrick Doherty to the roof of the net. QPS came roaring back and took the lead for the fourth time in the game after Josh Downey’s effort took a deflection on its way past Doherty. Credit to Dunree they never gave up and good play from Andrew Grant saw him slip the ball into the path of Doherty who fired to the roof of the net completing his hat trick and salvaging a point for the home side.
Cockhill Res 4
Illies Res 5
This local derby was full on from start to finish as Illies raced in to a two goal lead inside the first five minutes with two goals from John Campbell. The young Cockhill settled in to it and were level midway through the first half with a goal from Ethan O’Toole and a superb 25 yard shot from Cahir McDaid which found the top corner, giving Illies keeper Connor Doherty no chance.
Shortly before half time Cockhill took the lead when Niall Breslin scored but Illies responded within minutes on the stroke of half time with John Campbell completing his first half hat-trick. Both teams had chances early in the second half but it was John Campbell yet again causing Cockhill problems all day long as he capitalised on a defensive mix up to put Illies in front again. Cockhill showed plenty character to go again and equalised on 75 minutes when Shayne Gallagher was put through one on one and composed himself to finish and make it four all. It was Illies who completed the scoring in injury time as some slack marking from a free kick allowed Jack McDaid to take a touch and fire the ball through a group of players to hand Illies all three points.
Moville Res 0
Rashenny Youth 3
(Pictured are Rashenny goalscorers Oran McDevitt & Shea Lynch)
Moville began well and a Rhys Gillen free found Jack Lee whose header was saved by Damien Friel in the visitors goal. At the other end Rashenny broke smartly and a good move ended with a Keelan Doherty effort well saved by Vernon Kelly. The visitors opened the scoring on 23 minutes when James McConalogue fed Oran McDevitt to race clear and slide the ball low past Kelly.Before the interval Kelly then did well to tip Keelan Dohertys effort over the bar. Rashenny increased their lead after the break when a deep corner kick found the unmarked Shea Lynch to slot home at the back post. McDevitt then raced onto a long kick out but saw his effort saved by Kelly before Lynch fired wide when well placed. The home side tried to hit back and when Ben Knox played a one two with Harry Naughton his effort was well saved by Friel. The visitors sealed the points and completed the scoring after McDevitt cut in from theleft and fired a superb shot to the top corner.
Aileach Youth 3
Cockhill Colts 2
A young Aileach team missing a few regulars defeated Cockhill Colts in near perfect conditions at Lakeside. Cockhill will be scratching their heads wondering how they left Lakeside with nothing. Cockhill bossed possession in the early exchanges without creating too many chances. The did however break the deadlock on the half hour when a Gavin Doherty corner was flicked past Dylan Clarke in the home goal from six yards. Aileach created very little and were reduced to long range shots that were comfortable for Declan Caldwell in the Cockhill goal. Cockhill continued to press and got a second on the stroke of half time when Doherty and O’Donnell repeated the trick again from a corner with O’Donnell glancing into the net past Clarke.
Aileach came out with a bit more purpose in the second half and pushed the Cockhill defence back for periods. The chances were still coming Cockhill way with Mark Moran and Gavin Doherty having efforts kept out by Clarke. On the hour, Aileach made a few tactical tweaks and they started to pay dividends as the game opened up. Aileach pulled one back with twenty minutes to go when a Daibhidh Grant free kick was deflected into the path of John Eyre who slotted into the bottom corner. Suddenly chances were appearing at both ends and Cockhill had another chance with Clarke saving smartly from Kevin McDaid. Aileach equalised with only five minutes remaining when Noah Edwards bravely contested a 50/50 ball and the ricochet fell kindly for Eyre to head into the unguarded net. Aileach claimed all three points right on the final whistle when Darragh Kerrigan found space on the right and put a peach of a cross right on the forehead of Ryan Wilson who headed past Caldwell from six yards.
Clonmany Res 2
Rashenny RES 0
Reversed to Rashenny it was Clonmany who dominated the opening half but could not get a way past Roger McGilloway in the Rashenny goal. Their first chance came after a Tyler McEleney effort was blocked and when the ball fell to Darragh Porter on the edge of the area his effort was held by McGilloway. Noah Diver then saw an effort tipped round the post before on the half hour Jake O Donnells powerful effort was also saved. Joe Doherty then had three attempts in a ten minutes spell firing the first off target before when bearing down on goal he was denied by a superb tackle from Liam Grant. His third effort was well gathered by McGilloway. The final chance of the half was another Clonmany effort with Ethan Devlins long range shot saved by McGilloway. Clonmany opened the scoring in the opening minute of the second half when O’Donnells free over the Rashenny defence found Dylan McEleney unmarked to slot home. O’Donnell then fired a dipping effort just over before weaving past two defenders but shooting weakly wide when well placed. Rashenny responded and both Keelan O’Donnell and Leo McGlinchey were denied by saves from Killian McCarron. Clonmany spurned a gilt edged chance when Tiernan McDonald blazed wide from the penalty spot but he made amends on 75 minutes crossing for Dylan Doherty to head home. At opposite ends of the pitch McGlinchey and Dylan McEleney both saw dipping effort just clear the crossbar. Rashenny ended the game well with Illia Ahapii denied by McCarron who gathered at the second attempt while Ahapii s cross found Cian McCloskey who hooked wide in the final chance of the game.
Carrowmena FC 6
Redcastle Res 4
In good conditions at the Warren the home side burst into a two goal lead by the 11th minute. They opened the scoring on 10 minutes after Darragh McGuinness advanced on the left before slipping the ball into Ronan Doherty to shoot low past Paul Doherty from fifteen yards. A minute later Christy Hegarty turned and lobbed the stranded keeper from thirty yards to make it two nil. But Redcastle responded and when Lennon McLaughlin played Darragh Leith through he turned on the edge of the area to drill a low shot beyond Rhys Kerr. On the half hour the visitors got back on terms when Mark Farren fed Gary Kelly inside the area and he turned sharply before shooting low past Kerr. But within a minute the home side had regained the lead after McGuinness collected a corner on the left and crossed for Doherty to flick a header to the corner of the net. Before the break Redcastle restored parity again after Kerr had parried a Kelly effort it was Shay Sweeney who reacted quickest to slot home. Within two minutes of the restart the home side had made it four three with Hegarty advancing on the left and crossing for Doherty to turned and drilled low to the net. Carrowmena increased their lead on 55 minutes after Doherty was upended in the area with Cathal Crumlish converting low to Dohertys right. They then made it six three with Mark McGonigles corner finding Crumlish to head home at the back post. Redcastle pulled one back after McLaughlin picked out the unmarked Darren Harkin to hit a first time effort from distance to the top corner.
Glengad Res 1
Carn Res 1
In excellent conditions at the Crua the home side had the first chance when Joshua Mc Devitt beat a defender and lobbed the advancing keeper Jack O’Brien but the ball sailed over the bar.Carn then had a lot of possession but found the home defence a tough nut to crack. On 35 minutes Tiernan Diver beat the offside trap and raced into the area but was denied by a superb Conor McGonagle tackle. Cayden Taitt then shot straight at home keeper Ronan Lafferty when well placed as the half ended scoreless. Carn had the first chance of the second half on 55 minutes with Ryan O Donnell running onto Divers pass but denied by Lafferty. At the other end McDevitt went past a defender on the right but his effort was well smothered by O’Brien.The visitors opened the scoring from the penalty spot when Diver converted low past Lafferty after he had been upended. The home side then raised the tempo and their pressure paid off on 86 minutes when Conor Mullarkey fired a twenty five yards free to the roof of the net to gain a share of the spoils.
Sea Rovers 2
Culdaff Res 0
This local derby encounter was as expected a close hard fought affair.The first chance of the game came when a cross from Rovers Daniel Gallagher fell to Conor Mc Closkey whose shot went over the bar from the edge of the area. The home side then had a free kick which Daniel Gallagher took and while the ball bounced awkwardly the Culdaff keeper Mark Smyth pulled of a fine save. The home side had the final chance of the half after a Conor O’Neill cross found Ryan Doherty who shot over from the edge of the area. The home side opened the scoring on the hour mark when Conor McCloskey pounced on a loose ball to drill past Smith.Culdaff came more into the game and were unlucky when Paul Fisher was denied by Rovers keeper Mark Mc Laughlin. A good bit of play between Rovers Mathew Mooney and Connor Mc Closkey resulted in a fine pass to Andrew Gallagher who took it well and finished perfectly to make it two to the home side. A good game and Culdaff will feel disappointed they didn’t get on the scoresheet but Rovers held on for the win.