Match Reports Sunday 13th October
Knockalla Caravans Cup
Buncrana Hearts 2-4 Finn Harps Res
Finn Harps took the lead on 31 min when Stephen Doherty volleyed home from 10 yards, Shaun Doherty made it 2-0 3min later when he fired past Owen Doherty in the home net,
Buncrana pulled a goal back on 47 min when good work by Kieran Mc Daid floated in a cross for Bart Wesoloski to head into a empty net, Harps increased their lead on 54 min when Gabriel Aduka slotted home, Corey Mc Bride then saw a free crash off the crossbar before Pat Loughery made it 4-1 to Harps, Buncrana got a second goal when Gerard Boyle headed in a Owen Mc Namee cross
Greencastle 1-1 Letterkenny Rovers Aet Letterkenny won 4-3 on Pens.
An understrength Greencastle put in an excellent performance against Senior League opposition Letterkenny Rovers in the Knockalla Cup, eventually losing out 4-3 in penalties.
The first half was a pretty even affair with limited chances for either side. Letterkenny threatened first with Declan Sharkey cutting in from the left, in the seventh minute, and shooting from 20 yards but Dylan Doherty in the Greencastle goal dealt this effort fairly comfortably. Letterkenny almost took the lead on 30 minutes when the ball bounced awkwardly in the box deceiving a Greencastle centrehalf but Doherty made a great save from Kevin McGrath. Greencastle hit straight back with Nigel McMonagle shooting from distance after a fine through ball from Eamonn Donnelly. Both sides had one more decent chance each before half time with Doherty denying BJ Banda on 39 minutes and Ronan Doherty shooting narrowly wide on the stroke of half time.
The second half was much more open affair with both teams creating good chances. Doherty denied Banda twice in the opening 15 minutes of the half and Rory Kelly foiled Nigel McMonagle after he was released by the impressive James Henry. Greencastle took the lead on 65 minutes when substitute Jamie McCormick converted a penalty after Ronan Doherty was upended in the box. Letterkenny came close to equalising within 2 minutes when a long goal kick deceived the Greencastle defence but Doherty once again denied Banda with another fine save.
Greencastle had a good chance to go 2-0 up on the 78th minute when McCormick’s through ball released Ronan Doherty but, under pressure from the Conor Gormley and on his weaker foot, Doherty’s shot from 8 yards went just over the bar. Letterkenny equalised on the 82nd minute when a long clearance from Gormley was finished by Gary Merritt with a superb chip over Doherty. Merritt almost put Letterkenny 2-1 up two minutes later when his goal bound header from a Lee Toland corner was excellently saved by Doherty.
Both sides had chances to win the game in injury time. Firstly, Greencastle when Ronan Doherty put McCormick through on the left and after rounding the keeper at the bye-line his pull back was just behind Nigel McMonagle at the back post. Within 60 seconds Letterkenny then thought they had won it but Gavin Harkin’s goal line clearance prevented Zach Gorman from scoring after he rounded Doherty in the Greencastle. Another goal clearance, this time from James Henry, when he cleared a Jack Dwyer header off the line preventing Letterkenny winning it in normal time.
Greencastle went close a number of times during extra time. McCormick and McMonagle both had shots from distance with the latter, after an excellent through ball by Daniel Rowan, drawing a fine save from Kelly. Jason Dickson twice came agonisingly near to a late winner for Greencastle when firstly Kelly denied him with a smart close-range save and from the resulting corner, from Gerry Gill, his header went narrowly wide.
Jackie Crossan Premier Division
Carn FC. 0-1 Cockhill Youths
Carn had the first chance on 5 mins when a Cade Cooke corner from the left found Conor Doherty and went left and wide from 10 yards. Cockhill broke the deadlock on 9 mins when Conor Allen broke on the left wing and squared it for Keegan Hegarty who shot low to the left corner of the net from outside the 6 yard box. Carn had a chance to equalize on 22 mins when will Quinn passed to Brandon Browne on the right wing and drove a powerful shot from 25 yards but it rebounded off the crossbar and wide. Cockhill nearly doubled their lead on 36 mins when a bobby Bradley pass from midfield found Adam wanish on the right wing and he crossed for mak McDaid who shot low to the right and wide from 10 yards. Carn had the 1st chance of the 2nd half when donal doherty pass down the left wing found Cade Cooke and he lobbed it over the defender for Brandon Browne who shot low towards the right corner of the net but it was well tidied up by Liam Mcgonagle in the cockhill goal. Cockhill responded On 65 mins when Bradley Callaghan passed to Michael John doherty on the right wing who rounded the defender and shot low to the left and wide from 15 yards. Two minutes later carn nearly equalised when a pass from sub girts dzerins found Christy McDaid on the right wing and he beat the offside trap and squared it for Cade Cooke who shot low to the right and wide from 10 yards. Cockhill had another chance to double their lead on 80 mins a when Conor Allen pass on the right wing found Michael John doherty and he squared it for Adam wanish who shot over the bar from 15 yards. Carn nearly got their point from this game in injury time when sub Tiernan Coyne broke on the right wing and Rounded the defender and laid it off for Brandon Browne who shot low to the right and wide from 10 yards.
Illies 5-1 Culdaff
Illies took the lead when Domnick Coyle crossed for Michael Coyle to volley to the net, Culdaff equalised shortly afterwards when Noel Mc Laughlin set up Bryan Mc Candless to score, Michael Coyle then saw a shot crash off the crossbar from a Paul Doherty pass, then Brendan Doherty had a effort saved, Illies regained the lead early in the second half when Michael Coyle got his second goal
Paul Doherty made it 3-1 and the same Player made it 4-1 for Illies when he scored from the penalty spot after Brendan Doherty was brought down in the box Kieth Elliot made it 5-1 when he volleyed home a Brendan Doherty cross
Strand Hotel First Division
QPS 0-0 Redcastle
Keelan Travers had a good effort blocked by the legs of Michael Mc Cole after 2min A Joseph Mc Cauley Free for Redcastle found Darragh Mc Conway at the back post but Oisin Burke saved his effort, then Burke was called into action to deny Gavin Grant anf Mc Cole saved from Shaun Mc Colgan after he was set up by David Healey
In the second half Mc Cole took two attempts to save a effort from Stephen Mc Kendry, then at the other end Oisin Burke did well to save fron Mc Conway, Caolan Travers shot wide from a Caolan Mc Colgan cross and few min later Mc Cole saved another Travers effort, a Joe Mc Cauley free for Redcastle found no takers in the box, another Mc Cauley free found Shane Mc Colgan who brought a fine save from Burke then Mc Conway shot wide at the back post, Travers and Declan Bone had efforts for the home side before Ronan Hoye looked to have gave Redcastle the lead but Ross Nicholas cleared off the line
Aileach Res 2-2 Dunree Utd
Aileach started the brighter and dominated the early exchanges without creating too much. On 25 minutes Dunree took the lead against the run of play, Thomas Mulhern released Matthew Doherty on the right and his cross wasn’t dealt with and the ensuing melee Peter O’Neill forced the ball past Ciaran Bradley to give Dunree the lead. Aileach came back and a free kick from the right rebounded into the path of Chris McGarrigle who fired narrowly wide. Aileach got on term 10 minutes before half time when a Keith McColgan free from 25 yards was parried by Ryan Fitzpatrick and as Stephen Doherty closed in to tap home, he was pulled back for a penalty. Doherty dusted himself down and slotted the spot kick into the bottom corner despite Fitzpatrick getting a hand to it. Dunree again took the lead on the stroke of half time when Matthew Doherty chased a long ball over the top and got in a tangle with an Aileach defender resulting in a penalty. Shaun Doherty went straight down the middle with the penalty to restore Dunree’s lead. Aileach changed shape at half time and dominated possession at the start of the second half but had to wait until 60 minutes before levelling things up. Shane McMonagle found Paddy Curran in the box and he played the ball into the stride of Ryan Wilson who fired into the far corner. Aileach continued to probe without creating anything clear while Dunree were content to play on the counter attack. With 10 minutes to go Dunree broke and played a ball into Shaun Doherty who touch was too heavy when well placed and Ciaran Bradley gathered the ball at his feet. Aileach came within inches of winning it with five minutes to go, Shane McMonagle played a deep cross to the back post where Paddy Curran headed the ball across Fitzpatrick but Donal O’Doherty cleared off the line with an overhead kick. In injury time, a cross found an unmarked Ryan Wilson at the back post but a last ditch block saved his shot.
Glengad Res 2
Clonmany Shamrocks 5
The visitors took the lead on the quarter hour when a defensive mix up allowed Jake Harkin to score from 5 yards. Glengad could have equalised but Gary Kelly was out of luck when his shot hit the crossbar. Clonmany doubled their advantage on 31 minutes when Pearse Mc Carron’s attempt from just outside the area nestled in the bottom corner and the same player added to the tally from close in before Glengad reduced the deficit to a single goal before half time. Their first goal came from John Mc Daid’s free which deceived Harkin and dropped in at the back post and a second Glengad goal was scored by Paul Anthony Mc Dermott who first timed a shot to the net after being set up by Paul Mc Gonagle. The visitors had the upper hand in the second half and scored two more goals in the final 20 minutes via sub Mark Mc Laughlin. His first was driven home from 18 yards and his second came following good work from Brendan Lackin who turned inside the box and crossed for Mc Laughlin to shoot to the net.
Rasheney FC 1
Gleneely Colts 1
Gleneely created the first chance early on when JJ Doherty released Keelan Hegarty one on one with keeper Paddy Mc Gilloway but the keeper blocked. The home side’s came close to opening their account after David Mc Laughlin accepted Mark Diver’s pass and advanced to the byeline before pulling the ball back to Shane Cregan who swivelled and shot from close only for Sean Mc Guinness to make an excellent save. Play then moved quickly to other end where a corner was conceded and from Hegarty’s delivery Harley glanced across goal and into the far corner for his side’s lead. Rasheney could have equalised before the break but were out of luck when first Mc Laughlin controlled Diver’s forward delivery and hooked the ball past Mc Guinness but also past the base of the far post and then when Charlie Doherty’s diagonal ball fell neatly to Mc Laughlin whose attempt from close in was straight at the keeper. In the final action of the half Cregan fired over when well placed. Rasheney continued to create a number of openings during the second half. Doherty’s header from a Caylum Long corner was held by Mc Guinness, Cregan chased a forward pass, rounded the keeper but his pull back from close to the byeline was hacked clear and a Long 30 yard effort was held. Diver then had a clear sight of goal but Mc Guinness made a superb stop from 8 yards. Shortly afterwards John Doherty came to Gleneely’s rescue when his brilliant inside the box tackle deprived Mc Laughlin. Home sub Cormac Dillon then released Mc Laughlin but again Mc Guinness prevailed in a one on one. Rasheney finally got a deserved equaliser on 81 minutes when following a corner a number of attempts were blocked with the ball coming out to Dillon who drove home to the bottom corner from the edge of the area for his first ever goal at adult level. The final action saw Gleneely’s Adrian Duffy head wide following a Hegarty corner.
Inishowen Engineering Division Two
Carrowmena 0-11 Moville Res
Moville opened the scoring on 16min when a cross from James Gillen found Danny Murphy to slot home at the back post, they increased their lead on 27th min when a long ball from Finn Mc Laughlin found Joshua Gillen who rounded Michael Noone in the home goal to score on 31 min Finn Mc Laughlin crossed for Colm Doherty to volley home, on 44min Mc Laughlin’s shot came off the post for Murphy to score the rebound, on 48min Colm Doherty headed in from Gillen’s corner, then Gillen set up Murphy to score for his hat trick, Doherty then scored from the penalty spot, Michael Grimley then scored after Conor Lafferty set him up, Lafferty then scored No. 10 and Kyle Harkin completed the scoring
Redcastle Res 4
Dunree Res 1
In the early stages of the match Dunree created opportunities and Michael Grant twice tested home goalkeeper Michael Mc Cole but he reacted well on both occasions – pushing a low shot and then a header following a free away for corners. The home side took the lead half way through the opening period when Ronan Hoy scored from the edge of the box after being set up by Brendan Murphy. Terry Mc Colgan was then denied at the expense of a corner. Dunree equalised when Reece Davenport brought down Eamon Fullerton inside the area with Martin Mc Dermott converting from the spot. However Davenport redeemed himself somewhat just before the interval when his shot from 20 yards found the net. After the break Dunree pressed strongly and Fullerton was out of luck twice and following an attack along the right, Neil Moran sent a good shot just past the post. But the home side made it 3 – 1 when Hoy scored his second after again being set up by Murphy and the scoring was complete when Ben Faulkner found the net from close range after a goalmouth scramble.
Illies Res 6
Rasheney Res 1
At Stranaclea Road the home side came back from a goal down to record an emphatic victory. With 15 minutes gone Rasheney opened the scoring when Brendan Grant accepted a Calumn Doherty throw in and fired spectactularley to the net from way out near the touchline. However, Illies got back on terms when Alan Fletcher rounded a defender and fired high into the net from inside the box and they moved ahead after half an hour when Dominick Doherty’s free kick found the net. The home side continued to dominate after the interval and stretched their lead when Fletcher played Ethan Doherty through and he shot low to the bottom corner from close to the penalty spot. Then Joe Mc Laughlin advanced down the right wing and pulled the ball back for Fletcher to rifle to the net for his second and his side’s fourth goal. Continued pressure from the home side saw Ronan Hegarty’s cross headed to the net by Ethan Doherty and their final score came when Hegarty’s initial effort was saved by Roger Mc Gilloway only for Mc Laughlin to drill home.
Donegal Signs Shield Quarter Finals
Culdaff Res 1-3 Clonmany Celtic 3
Both teams had a goal disallowed lowed in the first 5min of this game both for offside, Culdaff’s Ben Curley broke up field and found Jack Mc Laughlin but he shot over, then Raymond Mc Daid shot over for Clonmnay, Clonmany opened the scoring on 12 min when Alan Friel got on the end of a diagonal ball to score at the back post, Kevin Harkin then found Michael Grant who crossed for John Doherty his effort was saved by Michael Mc Laughlin in the home net, then Doherty found himself 1in 1 with the keeper but again Mc Laughlin saved his shot, Ben Curley made a good run squared for Cathal Mc Grenaghan but Kieran Friel saved well, Culdaff equalised on 56min when Jack Mc Laughlin set up Cathal Mc Grenaghan to score, Clonmany regained the lead when Michael Grant cut in from the right and slotted low past Mc Laughlin, Clonmany added a third in added time when Raymond Mc Daid set up Gerard Mc Daid to score
Dunree Reserves 3 Clonmany Reserves 2
First chance fell to dunree on 5 minutes when Ryan O’Donnell found Ryan Toland at the back post but failed to convert a header. Dunree took the lead on 17 minutes when Shaun Henderson played Tommy Doherty in and he finished coolly to the bottom corner past Tiernan Doherty in the clonmany goal. Clonmany could have equalized on 20 minutes but Mark Kelly blazed over from 30 yards out. Dunree could have double their lead on 25 minutes when the same combo combined again but Doherty saved well. Dunree came close again on 35 minutes after a Neil Moran free crashed of the crossbar and over. Dunree picked up from where they left off and scored right from the off when Ryan O’Donnell play a neat ball over the top and Tommy Doherty chipped the oncoming Tiernan Doherty to make it 2-0. The next 25 minutes was all clonmany and they grabbed their first after dunree failed to fully clear a corner and Lee Coyle hit the top corner from 25 yards out with a great strike. Clonmany equalized on 70 minutes after an altercation in the box lead to a clonmany penalty. Paul Devlin converted with ease. Dunree rallied and got the winning goal on the 90th minute after paddy Toland was fouled just outside the box. Tommy Doherty scores the resulting penalty to complete his hatrick and claim all 3 points
Cockhill Res 3
Aileach 4 (AET)
Cockhill started well and deservedly went ahead midway through first half when a Sean Bradley header from a corner took a deflection off Aileach defender Kevin Wallace at the back post taking it past Ryan Fox for the opening goal. After weathering some pressure early in the 2nd half, Cockhill kept pushing and increased their lead after a good move down the right. Ryan McDaid found himself with some space in the box and showed good composure to slot the ball past Ryan Fox in the Aileach net to make it 2 nil.
Aileach found a way back in to the match after a dangerous cross in to the box took a deflection and fell kindly to Aaron Doherty who he had the simple task of scoring into an empty net. Cockhill restored their 2 goal advantage shortly after. This time Shay McLaughlin netted after following up a good effort on goal from Kevin McDaid which Ryan Fox did well to save but McLaughlin was quick to react and finish from 6 yards.With Cockhill in control of the match, Aileach were given the chance to get back in to the match from the penalty spot and Daibhidh Grant held his nerve to score the penalty.
With minutes remaining Aileach threw everything at Cockhill and their pressure paid off when a long ball in to a crowded penalty area broke to Aileach’s Seamus O’Donnell who equalised from 6 yards out – taking the match to extra time. In extra time, Benny Hegarty then gave Aileach the lead for the first time in the match when his run was not picked up and he did well to beat Shaun Friel with his first time effort to make it 4 – 3.
Cockhill did not give up and saw a number of chances go abegging before they were awarded a penalty with a few minutes of extra time remaining. Mark Gillespie stepped up to take the penalty but saw his effort go just wide and Aileach held on for the win.