Match Reports Friday 24th and Sunday 26th July
Jackie Crossan Premier Division 
Buncrana Hearts 3
Carn FC 1
In a lovely gesture by the home side a minutes applause was held before this game in memory of former Hearts captain and Chairman Derek Smith, Cockhill’s Michael Doherty (Gill) and Dunree United s Stephen Doherty who all sadly passed away recently in these difficult times.
When the action started it was the visitors who took a shock early lead after the unmarked Conor Doherty rose to head home a free kick past Eoghan O Doherty. But the home side equalised within minutes when Aaron McDaid picked up a loose ball and unleashed a stunning twenty five yards effort to the top corner. Both Gerard Boyle and Kevin O’Loughlin then went close with good efforts before the Hearts took the lead on 14 minutes with Declan Fullerton converting a penalty after Darragh O’Connor had been upended. Fullerton then had a free kick superbly tipped over by Kyle Harkin. The home side increased their lead before the break with a stunning goal. Boyle began the move when he released McDaid who beat a defender and saw his cross met by O’Connor at the back post to slot home. The second half began as a dogged affair with defences on top until the 68th minute when the ball fell to Carns Will Quinn on the edge of the area but he fired just over the bar. This spurred the home side into action and Bart Wesoloski curled an effort just past the angle before the same player broke clear but Harkin was equal to his effort. The final chance also fell to the Hearts with Stephen McHugh setting up Ben Bradley but from eight yards he failed to hit the target.
Buncrana Credit Union Cup ¼ Final
Aileach FC 3
Glengad United 0
This game started at a furious pace with the damp conditions adding to the pace. The home side were ahead inside 5 minutes when Aaron Nash collected the ball wide on the right and crossed for the inrushing Caoimhghin McFeeley to slot past Daniel Mullarkey from six yds. Glengad responded on 8 minutes when Matthew Byrne fired a vicious free kick from 25 yards. which brought a fine save from Kyle Dougal, the keeper grabbing the ball at the second attempt. The home side doubled their lead then when Darren McMonagle pounced on a poor defensive pass to beat Mullarkey to the ball and finish to an empty net. Glengad settled after this and began to control the midfield forcing Aileach to defend in numbers. The ever dangerous Terence Doherty managed to get space on the left of the penalty area but Dougal was equal to his curling effort. With all their possession Glengad were putting Cathal McElhinney and Thomas McMonagle under a lot of pressure but the central defensive pair were proving resilient.
Glengad began the second half in a similar vein forcing the issue at every opportunity but were caught on the break on 50 minutes when Darren McMonagle broke clear down the right outpacing his marker and pulling the ball across for brother Shane who steadied before firing past Mullarkey from 20 yrds. This stung Glengad and to be fair to the away side they kept plugging away and never gave up but were always vulnerable on the counter. One such occasion resulted in Ethan Canning digging out a fine cross for Darren Mc Monagle but the no. 10s side foot volley from 12 yards just cleared the bar.
With time running out Mark McElhinney got his marching orders for a second bookable offence and from the resulting free James McKinney fired to the net from 25 yards for a consolation goal.
Inishowen Engineering Division Two 
Carn Res 2
Cockhill Res 3
Cockhill started much the better team, and almost opened the scoring on 15 minutes when Damien Friel found space on right, had his shot saved by Dean Mason before a goal mouth scramble followed with Carn just about clearing their lines.Minutes later Cockhill was denied by a goal line clearance from Paul Stevens, before Conor Burke saved the day with a couple of last ditch blocks. On 36th minutes the visitors broke the deadlock after a Kevin McDaid free kick was not held by Mason and Wesley Doherty slotted the rebound into an open goal. Sean O Donnell was the main threat for the home side in a one sided first half. Carn massively improved after the break with O’Donnell converting a penalty after he had been upended in the 50th minute. Four minutes later the home side took the lead with O Donnell running in behind the visitors defence before rounding the keeper and laying off for sub Kyran Cantwell to slot home. A complete swing from first half Carn were dominating, and thought they had a third but keeper Eoin Colhoun was adjudged to have been impeded.. Cockhill equalised on 70 minutes after a quick throw in caught out the Carn defence and Michael Owen Doherty got on the end of a Friel cross and finished well at the near post. Cockhill would get what would be the winner, when Michael Owen Doherty finally put the ball in the net, following yet another scramble. Carn pushed for an equaliser with Cantwell being brilliantly denied by Colhoun. Then in the final minutes, Cantwell delivered a perfect cross to JJ McDaid who blazed over from six yards.
Inishowen Engineering Division Two B
Culdaff Res 2
Illies Res 3
In an entertaining encounter Illies maintained their title challenge with a narrow but deserved win over a very young home side. They took the lead on 3 minutes after Nathan Doherty dispossessed a defender and squared for the unmarked John Pio Donaghy to calmly lift the ball over the advancing Dermot Callaghan. Illies were rampant in the first half an hour with Gavin Doherty denied by a superb save from Callaghan before Liam O Connor fired over from point blank range. Nathan Doherty dragged an effort from fourteen yards wide before Gavin Doherty was again denied by Callaghan with Donaghey firing the rebound over. Culdaff came more into the game and Matt McDaid fired a free kick over before they equalised on the stroke of half time. Ben Curley collected a poor clearance and drove a powerful low effort from fifteen yards past Kevin Gallagher.As in the first half Illies got a dream start when they regained the lead after a Nathan Doherty effort squirmed past Callaghan at the foot of his right hand post. But on 54 minutes the sides were level again when substitute Joe O’ Connor’s good work saw his cross find Mark Doherty and his effort deceived Gallagher and crossed the line. Midway through the half Illies Ronan Hegarty saw a cross from a tight angle glance off the bar before at the other end Sean McGrenaghan had a well struck effort saved by Gallagher. Illies struck for the winner on 73minutes when Gavin Doherty beat a man on the left and picked out substitute Joe McLaughlin at the back post to head across for Donaghy to head home from close range. Culdaff had a great chance to salvage a point when Cathal McGrenaghan split the Illies defence with a superb pass to substitute Aiden Cunningham but his effort was blocked by the legs of Gallagher.
IFL Fixtures Sunday 26th July
Jackie Crossan Premier Division
Greencastle FC 0
Glengad United 2
Greencastle had the first chance of the game when Eamon Donnelly sprayed a pass out to Ronan Doherty on the wing but his deep cross was well gathered by glengad keeper Daniel Mullarkey. Eamon Donnelly then played in Jamie McCormack who shot just wide. Glengad replied with a Terence Doherty shot from the edge of the box saved by Dylan Doherty. The keepers long clearance was headed on by Jason Dickson to Nigel McMonagle who shot just wide.. After a quick build up Stephen McLaughlin for Glengad also shot just wide. Glengad took the lead with 25 minutes gone when after a quick throw in Terence Doherty raced clear and his low shot went beyond the keeper, taking a slight touch off a defender before ending up in the back of the net. John Gérard Mclaughlin then headed over the bar from a corner. Greencastle had a chance to draw level when Jason Dickson played the ball out to Michael Henry on the wing who crossed the ball in to McMonagle whose shot from 12 yards was well saved by Daniel Mullarkey. Glengad went two up after a James McKinney shot was brilliantly tipped on to the bar by Dylan Doherty but Conor Barrow raced in to slot home. The last chance of the half was a McCormack shot that went just wide. In a quick start to the second half a long Oran Kelly pass found McMonagle whose dangerous cross was cleared by a defender. At the other end a John Gérard McLaughlin header from a corner was then well saved by Dylan Doherty. The keeper cleared to Michael Henry whose low cross was cleared by Matty Byrne. On another break a McMonagle cross was punched clear by Daniel Mullarkey. With 33 minutes of the half gone Stephen McLaughlin crossed in for John McDaid whose first time shot was well saved by Dylan Doherty. For the remainder of the game Greencastle continued to press, with Glengad looking very dangerous on the break.Greencastles Shay McLaughlin played in McMonagle whose shot was blocked.Glengad’s James McKinney broke in to the box but the danger was cleared by young Rory O’Donnell. Greencastle had the last chance of the game when a Michael Henry free was cleared by Matty Byrne and the game finishing with a 2two nil victory for glengad.
Cockhill Celtic Youths 1
Aileach FC 2
Cockhill Celtic FCs Youths gave Aileach FC all they wanted earlier today at the Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds in a glorious day for football. In the early exchanges the home team kept things tight and allowed the visitors to have plenty of the ball without creating too much danger. The visitors did take the lead on 21 minutes when from a corner, Aileach worked it short, and Paddy Slevins cross into the box was missed by a home defender before finding its way to Darren McMonagle on the edge of the area who was allowed to swivel and strike low right footed into the corner past keeper McGonagle’s outstretched right hand. Cockhill responded well and on 25 minutes a wicked free kick into the box was met, under a challenge, by Odhran O’Brien-Daly and the chance went wide. Aileach had good runners coming from midfield with Gavin Doherty & Shane McMonagle looking to penetrate but the final ball was letting them down on occasions. Cockhills Mark McDaid went on a mazy run on 32 minutes and after getting a way past Ethan Canning his shot cum cross went right across goal and only needing a touch to get the home side level
Cockhill levelled the game at the start of the second period when the referee awarded Cockhill a free on the edge of the area after Jack McDaid was brought down; Killian O’Rourke took control and his shot took a big deflection before nestling into the bottom left hand corner after wrong footing the helpless Kyle Dougal in the Aileach net. Cockhill started to gain more confidence from this and the visitors frustrated but luck was not to be for Cockhill today as the visitors took the lead on 54 minutes after the home side lost control of the ball in the middle of the pitch and when Dermot Doherty picked the ball up and advance down the right and his cross was deflected to him own net by the helpless O’Brien-Daly giving McGonagle no chance. Aileach found more space from then on and controlled the game nuch better with Doherty hitting the post from a well hit shot from outside the area on the right. Nash had a few long range efforts but the home of their own in the final moments of the game but noting to trouble Dougal and it was Aileach who claimed the three points .
Buncrana Hearts 3
Illies Celtic 1
The home side started well in this local derby with Mikey Friel miscontrolling the ball when well placed before Gerard McLaughlin was denied by a superb Dominic Doherty tackle. They took the lead with a fine move started by McLaughlin who fed John Timlin and when his cross was headed back across goal by Aaron McDaid it fell to Friel to slot home. Shane Dillon then spurned a good chance after Kevin O’Loughlin had headed down to him. Illies replied with Paul Doherty seeing an effort saved by Eoghan O Doherty. They got back on terms when Doherty blasted a penalty down the middle after Liam Grant had been impeded. But Buncrana regained the lead on the stroke of half time with Kevin O Loughlin heading home a Declan Fullerton corner at the back post. Buncrana had the first chance of the second half when Bart Wesoloski laid the ball off to Fullerton who fired over. At the other end Liam Doherty fired a free kick over the bar . Buncrana upped the tempo then and McLaughlin headed over before Fullerton fired wide. They sealed the points after good play from Fullerton saw him pick out McLaughlin who calmly slotted the ball home. Substitute Darragh O Connor was denied by a superb save from Johnathan Noone before the same player had the final chance with an attempted lob which drifted over.
Culdaff FC 3
Moville Celtic 4
Moville opened the scoring on 13 minutes after Shane Canning threaded a pass through the middle of the home defence for Norbert Indyka to run onto and drill a low shot past Darragh McLaughlin. They added a second minutes later when Conor Doherty collected a short corner and fired home at the near post. Culdaff rallied and reduced the deficit when Eugene McLaughlin fired a free kick through the wall and into the bottom corner. On 37 minutes they equalised when a Bryan McCandless shot was parried by Ryan Coyle and Michael Coyle from a very acute angle fired home. Moville got on top before the break with Michael McNaught denied twice by McLaughlin before the same player was unlucky to see an effort crash back off the post. Culdaff started well on the resumption with Aiden Cunningham seeing a powerful shot tipped over the bar by Coyle and then Michael Coyle heading a McCandless cross over the bar. Moville responded and a diagonal ball from Shane Canning sent McNaught clear to round McLaughlin and slot home. Midway through the half McNaught beat the offside trap and finished low to the net to make it four two. Culdaff rallied again and when Barry Fitzpatrick flicked on a corner Michael Coyle headed home. The visitors were reduced to ten men then with Josh McConalogue collecting a second yellow card. The home side pushed and had a couple of efforts following a corner blocked before Ben Curley fired just over.
Strand Hotel Division One
Aileach Res 0
Gleneely Colts 0
Aileach Reserves and Gleneely Colts played out a competitive scoreless draw on their return from lockdown. The first half had few chances with both sides struggling to find any rhythm. On the half hour, Gleneely had a long range shot from Adrian Duffy that was comfortably held by David McGeady in the Aileach goal. Aileach then had a free kick that Chris McGarrigle sent just wide. On the stroke of half time, Aileach almost took the lead when James Wallace met a Jordan McGeady corner and headed past Sean McGuinness but a defender headed off the line to keep the scoreless at half time. The second half started in the same vein as the first, with the ball bogged down in midfield for most of the game. Aileach came closest to take the lead on the hour when a corner fell to James Wallace in the box and his volley crashed against the crossbar and wide. Chances were at a premium in the later stages with Christy McDaid of Gleneely and Pol McGrory of Aileach having half chances that were saved by both keepers.
Dunree United 2
QPS 4
The visitors took an early lead when Josh Boyle cut in and drilled a low shot to the bottom corner. But Dunree respond immediately with a ball over the top headed over the keeper by McBride to get them back on terms.Some good play down the right from Dunree left an opportunity for Dermot Graham who’s first time effort smashed against the upright before a Liam Baldrick cross drifted onto the crossbar from a cute angle.Slightly against the run of play Boyle the offside trap and fired past keeper to regain the lead for the visitors. Boyle then raced clear of the home defence and was only denied by a last ditch tackle from Cathal McNutt.Five minutes after the restart Boyle dribbled through the home defence before squaring for Caolan harkin to tap in.Boyle completed his hat trick to make it four one when he fred home a penalty awarded after an altercation in the area.Dunree did pull one back with a long range effort from Kyle Barrett deceiving the visitors net minder.
Rasheney FC 0
Clonmany Shamrocks 2
The shamrocks kept their title and promotion hopes firmly on track with this hard fought local derby victory. Pearse McCarron was off target with one effort before seeing Paddy McGilloway saving another in the early stages. Midway though the half the visitors went ahead when Damien Duffy fired a twenty yards free to the bottom corner. Rasheney responded with David McLaughlin seeing a shot deflected wide before Charlie Doherty also drove wide. McGilloway then saved well from McCarron before Jake Harkin was off target with a diving header. On the stroke of half time a quick free from Duffy found McCarron to sidefoot home. Clonmanys Gareth Bradley had the first chance but failed to trouble McGilloway . The home side then had a spell which saw David McLaughlin and James McConalogue go close with good efforts. Clonmany upped the tempo and Oisin Hession had an effort cleared off the line by John McLaughlin before in a goalmouth scramble Hession and McCarron hit the post and then the bar in succession. Rasheney had a late David McLaughlin shot saved by Patrick Harkin before a Charlie Doherty free came off the bar and was cleared.
Hannon Greene Insurances Fr O Gara Cup 
Glengad Res 7
Redcastle Res 0
First division Glengad proved too strong for the visitors in this cup game at the Crua. They scored in the 3rd minute when Brian Doherty ‘s ball over the top for John G McDermott to race clear and slot home.The visitors replied with Martin McCarron s effort saved by Michael McLaughlin and from the clearance PJ McDaid crossed for Nathan McConalogue to make it two nil. McCarron the fired a free kick just wide before the home side made it three nil just before the interval. After a corner Doherty’s effort was blocked on the line but McConalogue pounced to drill home. Glengad got another goal in the early second half when Niall McColgan played a one two with Paul McDermott before releasing John G McDermott to fire low to the corner. A McDermott cross then fell nicely for substitute Graham Morgan to fire home the fifth. Another cross from McDermott was well controlled by Conor McGonagle who calmly slotted home.McColgan complted the scoring after he played a one two with Paul McDermott before advancing and finishing well.
Inishowen Engineering Division Two A
Cockhill Res 4
Dunree Res 1
| Cockhill’s second match in three days was another tough encounter and were made
to work very hard for another win. In an even first half Dunree edged it leading one nil at half time thanks to a tidy finish from Owen Combs from 12 yards finding the bottom corner giving Eoin Colhoun in the Cockhill net no chance. Cockhill nearly equalised just before half time but Philip Doherty pulled off a terrific save from a twenty five yards free kick from Damien Friel.The first chance of the second half was for Dunree. Martin McDermott struck a great curling effort of a free kick from 20 yards out but Eoin Colhoun somehow pulled of a top drawer save to tip the ball over. Cockhill finally found their feet and drew level shortly after, Damien Friel cut the ball back to Wes Doherty who finished well first time low past Philip Doherty from 12 yards. Shortly after equalising Cockhill took the lead, Damien Friel finally beating Philip Doherty with another great free kick from 30 yards into the top corner.Cockhill put the game to bed late on when both Cockhill centre halfs got in on the scoring. First up was Martin Breslin with a fine glancing header from a Damien Friel free with his second assist of the day. That was followed shortly by a bullet header from Cockhill captain Barney Gubbins from six yards out from yet another assist by Damien Friel who capped off a great day for Cockhill with a goal and 3 assists helping earn Cockhill a valuable three points. |
Aileach Youths 0
Clonmany Celtic 1
In a tight game the visitors started well with both Kevin Harkin and Niall McLaughlin narrowly off target. They spurned a great chance when Raymond McDaid fired wide from the penalty spot after Harkin had been upended. Aileach responded on the stroke of half time when Aaron Doherty ‘s effort was well tipped over the bar by Kieran Friel. Aileach had the first chance of the second half on 57 minutes when Gareth McLaughlin crossed for Brendan Hegarty whose volley flew over the bar. The visitors broke the deadlock on 70 minutes when Harkin powered a header to the roof of the net from McDaid s corner. Niall Mclaughlin then broke through but Ryan Fox in the home goal made a fine save. Aileach should have salvaged a point in the closing minutes but Seamus O Donnell blazed over from point blank range.
Inishowen Engineering Division Two B
Clonmany Res 2
Rasheney Res 1
Rasheney Res had the better of the early chances with Killian McCarron being alert early on to drive Trevor Doherty wide when he ran clear in the 6th minute ,allowing the Clonmany defence to regroup.In the 14th minute of the match ,Rasheney created another good chance after a clever dummy by Ryan Doherty sent Mark Diver clear but he shot over Killian McCarron’s crossbar. Rasheney Res took the lead in the 31st minute when Clonmany conceded a needless free on the left side of their box.Ryan Doherty stepped up to sweep in a curling shot to the top right hand corner ,giving McCarron no chance.Clonmany created their first opportunity in the 33rd minute after good work by Paul Devlin ,saw Thomas Comiskey receive the ball in the box but his right foot shot drifted wide of Roger McGilloway’s left hand post. Clonmany went close to equalising in the 40th minute when Thomas Comiskey closed down a Rasheney defender as they played out from the back and the ball broke to Tiarnan McDonald but his curling shot from 18yards out went narrowly wide of Roger’s left hand post.
Clonmany had the greater possession in the second half and Rasheney were grateful to Roger McGilloway for pulling off two saves in quick succession from Paul Devlin and John Porter in the 50th minute.Clonmany spurned a good opportunity for an equaliser in the 74th minute when Tiernan McDonald set up substitute Aaron Harkin to break free from half-way but he sliced his right foot shot wide of the goals.Clonmany finally equalised in the 80th minute when Michael Devlin’s corner from the right was bundled over the line by Clonmany substitute Dan Nolan.
Two minutes later Clonmany nearly scored a second when Tiernan McDonald capitalised on a mistake to run clear but his cross was slightly behind Michael Devlin and he could’nt guide it on target.In the final minute Clonmany snatched a winner when right-back Dara Doherty got possession high on the right wing and he swept in a deep cross to the left of the box which was collected by Michael Devlin and he shot low past Roger McGilloway to make the score-line two one in favour of Clonmany.
Carn Res 7
Culdaff Res 1
Carn created the first chance on 13 minutes when a Dermot Doherty pass from midfield found Cian Burke who beat the offside trap but his shot was well saved by Dermot Callaghan in the Culdaff goal. Culdaff broke the deadlock on 28 minutes after a Matt McDaid free kick from 25 yards on the left found Joe O’Connor who fired past Kyle Harkin into the top corner . Culdaff were reduced to 10 men on 34 minutes after keeper Dermot Callaghan advanced from his area and took down a Carn attacker. A free kick that resulted from the foul saw Dermot Doherty pass it to ronan donegan who squares it to Cian Burke who shot low to the right and wide from 7 yards. Carn were then reduced to 10 men on 35 minutes after Sean O Donnell collected a second yellow but carn managed to equalize on 41 minutes when Kyran Cantwell broke on the left wing and crossed but it was cleared out by the defender and fell to Sean O’Kane on the opposite wing who curled in to the bottom of the net past the keeper from outside the 18 yard box.Carn went ahead on 53 minutes after a Cian Burke cross from the right came off a defender and fell to Sean O’Kane who volleyed it to the top right corner of the net from 15 yards. Carn increased their lead on 65 minutes when Joe McKinney broke but his low shot was saved by Stephen Callaghan and the rebound fell to Cian Burke who fired high to the net from thirteen yards. Carn made it four two minutes later when Cian Burke’s cross, it was punched away by the keeper but fell to Dion Diver who fired home. It became five on 75 minutes with a fine solo goal from Burke who added another another with a crisp low drive from the edge of the area. The home side completed the scoring after substitute Paul Stevens advanced on the right and found Diver to fire low past Callaghan from ten yards.
Illies Res 6
Carrowmena FC 0
The home side made the breakthrough midway through the first half after Ronan Hegarty swivelled sharply inside the area and fired high past Mark Doherty from twelve yards. The remainder of the half saw defences on top with few clear chances. Illies doubled their lead on 54 minutes when Marty Coyle cut the ball back from the endline for Hegarty to smash the ball home. Hegarty then completed his hat trick when he headed home a superb cross from Coyle at the back post. It was all Illies at this stage and John Pio Donaghy added a fourth when he ran through unchallenged to slot home. Hegarty then got his fourth goal of the game when he beat two men and fired home. They completed the scoring late on when Coyle and James Downey combined for the latter to cross to Donaghy to fire home.