Match Reports Sunday 19th May

Inishowen Football League Reports weekend 19th May 2024

Charlie O’Donnell Cup  Final 

Redcastle United 3

Culdaff FC 2

Played in glorious conditions  at Maginn Park Redcastle United avenged last weeks cup final defeat by defeating Culdaff FC to clinch the Charlie O Donnell Memorial Cup on Saturday evening. Culdaff had the first opportunity in the 10th minute but Jack O’Brien fired weakly at Michael McCole when well placed at the edge of the area.

Redcastle then took the lead in the 18th minute after Culdaffs defence failed to clear properly and mark Farren blocked an attempted clearance to see the ball fly into the bottom left hand corner.But within a minute parity had been restored after Brendan McLaughlin pounced on a misplaced pass , advanced across the edge of the area before firing left footed into the bottom corner for an excellent finish.Culdaff had the better of the remainder of the half with McCole called into action twice to turn away O’Briens glancing header and then McLaughlins dipping free kick from distance. On 36 minutes Redcastle had a glorious chance after a superb Shaun Curran pass released Darragh McConway inside the area and he flicked the ball past Patrick McLaughlin but his effort lacked power allowing Ryan Greene to clear. Culdaff responded with Noel Mclaughlin curling an effort just wide  before Ben Curley released Brendan McLaughlin to burst past two players into the area only to see McCole make a superb save to leave them level at the break. Both sides had chances minutes after the restart. Firstly Redcastle s Darragh McConway raced onto a long ball and unleashed an effort which Mclaughlin parried behind. At the other end O’Brien cushioned a header for Euan McFeely who advanced into the area but saw his lob just clear the bar.A short  corner in the 53rd minute to Jack McConnellogue saw his cross find Marc Bell whose downward header was blocked by the legs of Mclaughlin . Five minutes later Redcastle regained the lead after superb work by Farren along the byeline saw him cross for McConnellogue to control ad shoot home from eight yards.Farren then fired wide when well placed inside the area before a swift counter attack saw Michael Coyle find substitute Aidan Cunningham whose effort from the edge of the area shaved the post. O’Brien the  had an angled effort saved by McCole before Greene had a header deflected behind as Culdaff pressed for an equaliser. But on 83 minutes a Shaun Curran free deceived  Mclaughlin and found the top left hand corner to leave Redcastle three one ahead. Again within a minute Culdaff reduced the deficit when Brendan Mclaughlins cross deflected off a defender past McCole. Culdaff pushed hard to force extra time but a long range effort from Tiernan McGeoghaghan was gathered by McCole as Redcastle held firm.

MAN OF THE MATCH

For Culdaff  Ben Curley and Brendan Mclaughlin , especially in the first half,  had good games and for Redcastle keeper McCole, Lee Barr and Shaun Curran were all prominent. But the award on the night goes to diminutive winger Mark Farren who ran the Culdaff defence ragged, scored one goal and set up another to deservedly claim the award.

Redcastle United

 

Culdaff

FAI Senior Cup

Cockhill  Celtic 7

Ayrfield United 1

Cockhill  Celtic advanced to the next round of the FAI Senior Cup in style with an emphatic victory over Ayrfield United on Sunday. After a frantic opening, Cockhill opened the scoring on 6 minutes when Luke Rudden’s looping header from a Harry Doherty free kick found the top corner. They doubled their lead twelve minutes later after  Lee McColgan’s right wing corner was cleared back to him before he controlled and fired home at the near post.Ayrfield were dangerous on the break but the Cockhill defence were unmoved with the home side going in two goals to the good at half time.Cockhill made the game safe with two goals in a 90 second spell early in the second half. Firstly Jack Mullan was on hand for a close range finish after Corey McBride’s cushioned volley into his path before Rudden got his second, and Cockhill’s fourth with a fine finish from the edge of the box after a Garbhan Friel assist. Ayrfield continued to plug away and got a goal back  when Eric Madden converted a penalty after a foul in the box. But Cockhill regrouped and were comfortable before three late goals added gloss to the scoreline. Jay Bradley made it  five  when he slotted home after being released by a great pass from Jamie McKinney. Adam Duffy then got the sixth  nodding home a right wing cross before Jay Bradley completed the scoring with a composed finish after a mazy run, cutting in from the right.