Match Reports Sunday 17th February

Oscar Traynor Inter League

Galway League                   2

Inishowen League             0

Inishowen exited the Oscar Traynor and will rue the concession of early goals in each half as well as failing to score when they were on top at certain stages of the game.

Galway took the lead in their first attack after the visitors defence were caught square and Ronan Caldwell crossed from the right for Enda Curran to slot past Dylan Doherty from fourteen yards. Inishowen responded well and on 13 minutes Adam Byrne fired over when well placed at the edge of the area before on 21 minutes good build up ended with TJ Forde in the home goal turning a Gavin Doherty effort round the post. From an Inishowen corner minutes later Galway broke and Caldwell again found Curran but this time Doherty blocked well with his legs. Inishowen again replied and Gavin Doherty had another effort cleared by a defender before Adam Byrne fed Terence Doherty whose low effort was again turned round the post by Forde. More good link up on the left ended with Gavin Doherty’s cross finding namesake Shaun but he mishit his attempted volley from the right hand side of the area. On 41 minutes Caldwell for the home side unleashed a twenty yards effort which Doherty parried and gathered quickly. On the stroke of half time Matthew Henry, Shaun Doherty and Matthew Bryne combined to pull the ball back to Adam Byrne but his effort from twelve yards lacked the power to beat Forde who gathered low to his left. Inishowen hoped were dealt a huge blow within minutes of the restart after Paddy O’Rourke’s ball from his own half through the centre released Curran who neatly rounded keeper Doherty and slotted home.  Curran was then denied his hat trick with by a brilliant point blank save from Doherty before Inishowen replied with a Gavin Doherty effort just wide from the edge of the area. On 61 minutes a Shaun Doherty free was just missed by firstly Ryan Kelly and then Adam Byrne coming in at the back post. Substitute Jamie McCormick then had a powerful effort turned round the post by Forde  before in the final minutes another substitute Adam Duffy burst through a number of tackles but his left footed effort was well saved again by Forde as Galway advance to the semi finals.

Strand Hotel Division One

Cockhill Youth        3

Aileach Res             2

Cockhill Celltic Youth snatched a late winner today as Christopher Duffys goal on 88 minutes edged a five  goal encounter at the Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds. The home side, playing with the advantage of a stiff breeze in the opening period, had the majority off play but in fairness did not create enough opportunities to trouble the visiting keeper Ciaran Bradley. Aileach always looked a danger on the break and in Patrick Curran they had a threat to Cockhills rearguard. The visitors took the lead on the stroke of half time when Stephen O’Donnell won possession in the middle of the park and played a ball over the top for Curran. The young forward controlled the ball before lifting it over the advancing Kyle Dougal for a neat finish

Cockhill hit back early in the second period, after good work by Adam McLaughlin his pass found Mark McDaid in the box and the latter found space to shoot low in off the post past Bradleys outstretched right arm for a deserved equaliser. The home side continued to press for a second and with 65 minutes on the clock took the lead. Aileach failed to clear a ball into the box but Mark McDaid’s well truck shot brought a great save from Bradley who could do noting to stop Keegan Hegartys well controlled strike to the net from 18 yards through a few bodies. The lead was short lived and with 10 minutes remaining Aileach levelled the game, Curran getting his second after he got his head on a corner from Eamon Brown to head into the net from inside the six yard box with the Cockhill defence looking for who was marking who. The home side pushed again for the lead and with  minutes left a McDaid corner was cleared by Mark McElhinney in the visitors defence only for substitute Ronan McLaughlin to keep the ball alive and his cross was controlled in the area by Christopher Duffy before shoting low left footed to the corner give Bradley no chance as he dived to his right. A really good game and a hard fought victory for the home side

Moville Celtic         4         

QPS                            0

In the 7th minute Josh Boyle for QPS cut in from the right but his effort was easily gathered by Ryan Coyle. Moville countered immediately with Conor Doherty releasing Caolan Doherty on the right. He won the race for the ball with a QPS defender and shot low past Aidan Lynch into the far corner to open Moville’s account. Both teams traded efforts with Aaron McColgan for the visitors and Doherty for Moville but were held by the respective keepers. In the 24th minute another swift counter from the home side saw Conor Lafferty combine with Caolan Doherty allowing him to cross to Conor Doherty. His first time effort crashed off the crossbar and was cleared to safety. Minutes later Josh McCloskey was afforded time to turn and shoot in the Moville area but Coyle did well to palm the ball away low to his right. QPS keeper Lynch did well to  come out and block Michael McNaught’s close range effort after being put through by Nathan Harkin in the 29th minute. A surging run and shot from Aaron McColgan was replied with Lafferty setting up McNaught but his effort was on the wrong side of the far post. Another full stretch save from Coyle in the 38th minute denied QPS with Boyle unable to follow up.

Moville got their second goal in the first minute of the second half through Caolan Doherty again after he fired home from 18 yards with a powerful mid height shot. Ten minutes later a third followed after Shane Canning’s deep free kick was controlled in the area by Doherty. His cross was missed by defenders and attackers leaving Conor Doherty to steer home at the back post. QPS tried to reply with Boyle cutting in from the right side but his effort went by the far post. In the 63rd minute Doherty was set free with a lob from Canning but his attempt for his hat trick beat Lynch only to come back off the upright into the hands of the keeper. Lynch later thwarted Conor Doherty with a near post block for a corner but Moville sealed the match after McNaught retrieved the  ball from the corner and set up Nathan Harkin with a close range tap in in the 81st minute.

Buncrana Res         4

Sea Rovers              3

Buncrana came out ahead in this battle of the bottom two thanks to goals from  Stephen Mc Hugh (2) and Darrach O’ Connor (2). In mentioning Mc Hugh and O’ Connor credit must also be given to a midfield of Curran, Quigley and Sean Lee Doherty who insured that the Rovers’ defence experienced a torrid ninety minutes. Hearts started with a strong breeze on their backs and in the first twelve minutes Mc Hugh was denied twice by Rovers keeper Watson but on eighteen minutes Mc Hugh got to the byline and his cross was met by O’ Connor on the volley, giving Watson no chance from twelve yards. As has been the story of this season Hearts conceded within seconds of the restart, Aidan Doherty picked a loose ball up on the right hand edge of the Hearts’ penalty box and curled a left footed shot into net, giving Hearts’ keeper Mc Daid no chance. Hearts went looking to restore their lead and on twenty five minutes Curran and Sean Lee Doherty combined to work the ball to Mc Hugh who shot low past keeper Wison. Once again Hearts’ defensive frailties were exposed on thirty minutes when a long  Rovers’ Damian Ward’s free kick somehow found its way to the back of the net. O’ Connor restored Hearts’ lead from the penalty spot after he was brought down before the interval.Hearts started the second half with real intent to extend their lead Quigley and Mc Hugh both being denied by Rovers keeper Watson. Again Rovers got back on level terms when Donal o’ scored from a free kick. Rovers were then reduced to ten men and on seventy minutes Quigley and O’ Connor combined only once again to find Watson equal to their efforts. But a minute later this pair were involved in the move which seen Mc Hugh score the decisive goal from ten yards.

Glengad Res                        4

Dunree United       0

The visitors opened brightly with Neil Moran, from 18 yards, forcing Michael Mc Laughlin into a smart save. At the other end good work on the wing by Stephen Mc Laughlin set up P.J. Mc Daid who fired wide of the post. Then Mc Daid and Joseph Doherty combined to present Gary Kelly with an opening but his attempt was saved by Ryan Fitzpatrick in the Dunree goal. Mid way through the half the home side broke the deadlock when an over the top delivery from Jason Doherty found Kelly and he fired under the advancing Fitzpatrick for the lead. The last action of the half saw a Philip Mc Guinness free from outside the area tipped over by Mc Laughlin. Glengad came close to increasing their lead early in the second half when Christopher Doherty’s cross into the danger area found Mc Daid whose overhead kick was just wide. Dunree responded with Moran accepting a pass from Matthew Doherty but firing into the side net. The home side’s lead was doubled when John Mc Daid volleyed from 18 yards and the parry by the keeper allowed Paul Mc Gonigle to slot to the net from close in. Dunree came close to reducing the lead when Mc Laughlin was unable to hold onto Doherty’s cross and Daryl Moran’s effort from six yards clipped the crossbar on its way over. The third goal arrived when Mc Laughlin’s corner was flicked on by John Mc Daid to namesake P.J. and he headed home at back post. The scoring was complete when Kelly drove against the crossbar from Mc Laughlin’s left wing cross – with the rebound being laid off by Christopher Doherty back to Kelly and he shot to the net.

Gleneely Colts       5

Rasheney FC                       5

​​​​​Gleneely opened the scoring after 10minutes when a corner by Dylan McDaid was headed home at the back post by Paul Gamble. They went two up when Eddie McNamee fed the ball to Keelan Hegarty on the left and he blasted the ball to the top corner from 30yards for his first senior goal. On the half hour, Gleneely went three nil up after  Corey O Brien fed Paul Gamble on the right and he advanced to slot the ball under Roger McGilloway from ten yards. Rasheney got a lifeline shortly afterwards when a  mix up in the home defence resulted in John Grant squeezing the ball home from ten yards.  Rasheney started the second half quickly and pulled another goal back after a ball by Kieran Friel into the box was poked home by Charlie Doherty from close range. But Gleneely made it 4-2 on 55 minutes when Corey O’ Brien advanced down the left beating  two defenders before slotting into the bottom  corner from inside the area. Three minutes later, Rasheney again reduced the deficit to the minimum with  Charlie Doherty’s free parried by  Ben Miller for John Grant to poke home from close range. Gleneely again hit back and  made it 5-3 when a corner from Keelan Hegarty found JJ Doherty  to slide the ball home from close range. Gleneely were then reduced to 10 men and Rasheney made it 5-4 when Charlie Doherty scored after Gleneely failed to clear their lines. Rasheney s sails were up and drew level on 80minutes when a long free was pumped into  the Gleneely  box, and James McConnelogue slid the ball home. Rasheney could of won it but hit the post late on and Gleneely held out to claim the draw in a crazy game.

Inishowen Engineering Division 2 A

QPS  Res                   1

Aileach Youth         2

Aileach started the better and should have opened the scoring on 2 minutes when with QPS appealing for offside, two Aileach attackers ran through but QPS keeper Bell saved well with his legs.  On 15 minutes, Burke for QPS was through one on one with Aileach keeper Fox but Fox got down well to make a good save.  Much of the remainder of the half got played out in midfield until on 33 minutes QPS opened the scoring when a deep cross from Grant was headed home by Jack McConnellogue.  The second half was better than the first with both sides pushing forward.  On 48 minutes, Benny Hegarty for Aileach controlled well inside the QPS box but his shot was straight at keeper Bell.  Josh McConnellogue should have done better with a free header,but headed wide from six yards.  On 62 minutes, a Willy O’Donnell free kick for Aileach, caused confusion in the Point defence and Arron Doherty pounced to score from 10 yards.  QPS pushed hard and a Jack McConnellogue corner was met at the back post by Paul Grant and his close range shot came off the post and away.  Then Jack McConnellogue slipped Chris O’Donnell through, however the post again came to Aileach’s rescue.  In the last 10 minutes, Aileach had two good chances to take the lead when after a good build up, Ryan Wilson broke through the middle but QPS keeper Bell denied the Aileach winger with a good diving save.  Wilson was to have the last laugh for Aileach, with virtually the last kick of the game when again through one on one with keeper Bell, he slotted confidently into the bottom corner for the winner.

Redcastle Res        3

Moville Res             2

In an entertaining game  Moville opened the scoring after Graham Doherty converted from the penalty spot after 19 minutes. But ten minutes later the home side got back on terms with Emmet McConway firing home after a corner broke kindly for him in the area. Moville regained the lead before the break with a crisp low finish from Jack Ferry from the left hand side of the area into the bottom corner. The second half saw defences on top and few clear chances on either end. However on 80 minutes the home side equalised when after the visitors failed to clear Ronan Hoy pounced to drill home. Both sides pushed hard for a winner and the fell the way of the home side on 88 minutes after Brendan Murphy broke clear of the visitors defence and kept his composure to slot home.

Inishowen Engineering Division 2 B

Culdaff Res              1

Cockhill Res            2

Cockhill opened the scoring on 15minutes when Gary Breslin was upended in the area and while Martin McLaughlin superbly saved Mark Gillespie’sspot kick the rebound fell to Gillespie to fire home. Culdaff replied on the half hour after Jack mc Laughlin collected a ball over the top  from Mark Doherty but blazed over when well placed. Cockhill had the next chance  on the hour mark but Breslin’s effort was well saved by  Mclaughlin. Culdaff replied minutes later and when Matt McDaid fed Niall Gordon his effort scraped the far post before being cleared. Cockhill scored a crucial second with Ryan Doherty breaking  down the left and he squared low to Tristan Donaghey who fired low under McLaughlin. Culdaff kept battling and were rewarded on 80 minutes after Noel Mc Laughlin’s third corner within minutes was met at the back post by Ryan Greene  who powered a header to the net. Culdaff Pressed to the end but Cockhill held out for three valuable points.

Dunree Res                         2

Carrowmena  FC                1

The visitors with the advantage of the wind dominated territory and possession but struggled to create any clear chances early on. They did take the lead on 33 minutes after the home defence failed to clear allowing Finbar McCallion to fire home from close range. Dunree improved after the break and got back on terms on the hour mark when  Eamon Fullerton fed TJ McKinley and he chipped Brian Houghtn from twenty five yards. Dunree went close again on 77 minutes after a powerful Conal McGrory shot was well tipped over by Houghton. But with five minutes remaining Dunree struck for the winner with Fullerton converting a penalty after McKinley had been upended.

 

Rasheney Res                     3

Carn Res                               5

There was a goal fest under the lights in Trawbreaga Park on Friday night. With the benefit of the wind the visitors breezed into a four goal lead in the first half. Tiernan Coyne broke the deadlock half way through the opening period when he fired home to the bottom corner from just inside the box. Minutes later Dylan Cooke’s long range free found the target while brother Dayton stroked home a third from inside the six yard box after Will Quinn’s shot had been parried. Chris Mc Daid then notched a fourth for Carn –  scoring from inside a crowded area. The visitors could have gone even further ahead shortly after the restart when Dayton Cooke burst clear of the Rasheney defence but Roger Mc Gilloway raced outside his area to hack clear. However the home side started to assert their authority and came more into the match from then on, getting a goal back when veteran defender Trevor Doherty headed home a corner at the back post for his first ever goal for Rasheney. Then replacement goalkeeper Dean Mason had to be alert to turn a Paddy Mc Gilloway free around the post before saving a Christy Ivers 30 yard free. The Carn lead was further reduced when Tiernan Mc Donald’s left wing corner travelled all the way to the net. And Mc Donald was out of luck shortly afterwards. He got on the end of Matthew Duffy’s cross into the area and fired it goalwards from 10 yards only for Mason to palm it onto the crossbar. Mc Donald’s header from the rebound was blocked as was his further follow up shot. Carn put the brakes on the momentum when Matthew Mc Laughlin ran through and dinked the ball over Mc Gilloway for his side’s fifth goal. But Rasheney responded right from the centre when Corny Mc Cole effort from almost on the half way line sailed all the way to the net.