Match Reports Sunday 20th January
Sunday 20th January
Jackie Crossan Premier Division
Glengad United 3
Aileach FC 0
In a crucial game for both clubs the home side spurned a great chance on 5 minutes after Christy McLaughlin crossed for Terence Doherty to head wide from six yards.
On 15 minutes John G McLaughlin’s ball over the top found Doherty who knocked the ball past the advancing keeper and his shot was cleared off the line by Keith McColgan. The home side opened the scoring on 40 minutes when McLaughlin’s free from the left came off a defender for Dillon Ruddy to head home from eight yards. They doubled their lead on 43 minutes after Matthew Byrne fired a superb twenty yards free past the wall and into the bottom corner. Aileach lifted the tempo on the restart and on 55 minutes good work by Chris McGarrigle found Thomas McMacken who in turn fed Gavin Doherty but he fired over from the edge of the area. There was little goal mouth action until the 79th minute when McMacken fed substitute Paddy Slevin to race clear but his effort was brilliantly saved by the legs of Daniel Mullarkey from fifteen yards. Glengad responded with Seamue Doherty crossing for Christy McLaughlin whose header was cleared off the line by Darren Gallagher. The home side sealed the win on 87 minutes when Adam Byrne fed Cathal Mc Daid on the left and he crossed for Terence Doherty to turn and shoot low past Ciaran Bradley.
Clonmany Shamrocks 1
Carn FC 2
In good conditions at Shamrock Park Carn had the first sight of goal on 19 minutes after Cade Cooke broke on the right but dragged his effort wide. Clonmany responded but were restricted to long range efforts from Niall & Declan McLaughlin and Ferghal Harkin which failed to trouble Fergal Doherty. On the half hour Harkins free came off the wall a quick Carn break ended with Cooke’s strike turned round the post by Patrick Harkin. Hesitation in the home defence on 43minutes saw Brandon Browne nip in and poke the ball past Harkin to give the visitors the lead. On the stroke of half time keeper Harkin made a stunning double save to deny Browne from six yards. Clonmany upped the tempo on the restart and a great Declan McLaughlin cross from the left saw Jake Harkin just fail to connect. They equalised on 57 minutes when Oisin Hession fired a spot kick to the top left hand corner after Steve Harkin was upended. But Carn then regained the lead on 69 minutes after Harkin had made a brilliant reaction save but Ryan Kelly was the quickest to react to slot home. Clonmnany pressed but the Carn defence stood firm and a superb Niall McLaughlin delivery from a corner went abegging late on.
Illies Celtic 0
Greencastle FC 1
Illies had the opening chance of the game after Adam Duffy sent Liam Doherty into the area but Dylan Doherty advanced to smother well. Greencastle responded and when Nigel McMonagle pounced on a poor back pass his effort was saved by Johnathan Noone. Matthew Henry then had another effort well saved by Noone before at the other end Duffy fired a snapshot just over. On the stroke of half time the visitors were unlucky after Jamie McCormick advanced and unleashed a powerful effort which crashed off the bar before being cleared. Greencastle had two good chances in the opening ten minutes after excellent deliveries from Shaun Doherty saw Mark Henry first head over unmarked at the back post before seeing another header cleared off the line by Liam Grant. At the other end Doherty made a superb one handed save to deny Duffy. The crucial goal for the visitors arrived on 73 minutes when McMonagle retrieved a ball from a corner and curled a brilliant effort into the top corner. Illies pressed and Grant and Duffy both had late efforts saved by Doherty as Greencastle made it a perfect seven wins from seven.
Buncrana Hearts 3
Culdaff FC 1
There was an unfortunate start to this game when after chasing Jack McLaughlin’s ball over the top Michael Coyle collided heavily with Eoghan O’Doherty in the home goal resulting in the Culdaff player being taken to hospital with an arm injury and O’Doherty retiring midway through the half. In a hard fought opening period there were few chances with Ryan Curran’s effort saved by Martin McLaughlin who then saved from Calvin Gallagher after a mazy run. Before the break Gallagher went close with a well struck effort which shaved the post. Culdaff started well and were unlucky after a Jack Mclaughlin effort crashed off the post before Jack O’Brien then raced clear on the left but his shot was very well saved by replacement keeper Paul McDaid. The visitors then had a let off when Michael Coyle rounded keeper Maetin McLaughlin but saw his goal bound shot cleared off the line. The introduction of Darragh O’ Connor and Stephen McHugh had a dramatic effect for the home side as within minutes they had taken the lead on 77 minutes after O’Connor broke on the right and his superb cross was headed home by Gallagher. Five minutes later Gallagher burst into the area and squared for O’Connor to tap home. Culdaff replied and got a goal back on 85 minutes when an Aiden Cunningham cross was parried by McDaid and substitute Ben Curley slotted home. With the visitors trying to salvage a point they pushed forward but were caught on the break in the final minute with O’Connor finding McHugh who clinically finished from ten yards to seal the points.
Strand Hotel First Division 
Sea Rovers 3
QPS 3
After an even opening period the home side created the first opening after a long ball from Damien Ward released Darragh O’Connot but his effort was well saved by Aiden Lynch. The visitors responded and John McCluskey fired a good effort narrowly over the bar. Rovers shocked the visitors on 29 minutes after superb interplay involving Ward, O’Connor and Keelan Doherty created a chance for Oisin McGonigle and he fired to the roof of the net from fifteen yards. The point tried to hit back but were finding the home defence difficult to penetrate but Josh Boyle went close with a rising shot on 33 minutes. But Rovers went two up when McGonigle broke clear on the right and into the area to drill low to the far corner. They then made it three nil on the stroke of half time after Ward fired a superb free to the roof of the net to leave the point shell shocked at the break. The point started rapidly at the start of the second half and Brian McColgan, Josh Boyle and McCluskey all took excellent saves from Glen Watson in the home goal. Rovers responded and a good surge up the left by Conor McGeoghaghan saw him fire just over. The point reduced the deficit on 64 minutes after McColgan fed Boyle to slot low past Watson from fifteen yards. They kept the pressure on and McCluskey headed wide before they got another goal back after a goalmouth scramble saw Boyle perfectly placed to fire home. Rovers were hanging on at this stage and Watson produced another fine save to turn away Shaun Downeys close range header on 83 minutes. The visitors salvaged a share of the spoils in the final minute when in a scramble in the home area the ball deflected off a defender past Watson .
Aileach Res 1
Dunree United 2
After a slow start to this game the first real effort on goal came on 15 minutes when Dunree’s Matthew Doherty shot was well saved by David McGeady in the home goal.Play moved up the other end and Stephen O’Donnells cross eluded Sean Parker in the away goals but came back off the crossbar. Dunree took the lead on the half-hour when Philip Mc Guinness robbed a defender and squared the ball for Doherty to sidefoot the ball into the empty net . Aileach had the next effort but Stephen Doherty headed over from a Shane Mc Monagle corner. Aileach started the second half brightly and equalised on 50 minutes when good work by Doherty and McGlynn set up Sean Mc Hugh to score from the edge of the box. Aileach were now well on top but couldn’t get that vital second goal.O Donnell fired wide when well placed, then Parker in the away goals pull of two great saves first from Doherty then tipping Seamus O Donnells low drive around the post. Aileach were left to rue these misses as on 75mins as Bernie Doherty latched onto a misplaced pass in the Aileach midfield and unleashed a ferocious shot to the top corner. After that Aileach pushed and pushed but couldn’t break down Dunree’s stubborn defence.
Moville Celtic 7
Rasheney FC 0
Leaders Moville showed no mercy as they continue their title chase and promotion back to the premier division.They started well and Finn McLaughlin headed an early chance over before Nathan Harkin drew a good blocking save from Roger McGilloway. They opened the scoring on 14 minutes after Lee McColgan fed Michael McNaught and he picked out Caolan Doherty to sidefoot home. From the kick off John McLaughlin tried an audacious effort which Ryan Coyle had to tip over the bar. McGilloway then made good saves to deny Doherty and then McNaught with the loose ball falling to Conor Lafferty but John Grant made a timely block. It became two nil after a Mc Colgan cross was parried by McGilloway only for McLaughlin to slot home from close range. Rasheney tried to hit back and a quickly taken free from McLaughlin was well dealt with by Coyle. On 37 minutes Moville made it three nil when Lafferty threaded a ball through for Doherty to just beat the advancing McGilloway and poke the ball home. On the stroke of half time Antonio Rea’s cross was headed home by Michael McNaught to make it four nil. Two quick goals from the penalty spot by Doherty to complete his hat trick and Lafferty saw the remainder of the half fizzle out. Moville completed the scoring when substitute Conor Doherty crossed for Lafferty to control on his chest and fire to the top corner for a superb finish.
Gleneely Colts 0
Cockhill Youths 3
Cockhill bounced back from their defeat last week for a hard fought win over the home side. In a first half of few chances Cockhill ‘s Conor Allen fired in a cross which Darragh McDermott fired wide from eight yards. They took the lead in similar fashion on 25 minutes when McDermott converted Allen’s cross at the second attempt after his initial effort was blocked by Ben Miller in the Colts goal. Gleneely’s first attempt came on 55 minutes but JJ Doherty’s twenty five yards effort flew over the crossbar. Cockhill replied and on 65 minutes Mark McDaid went close with a free kick from twenty yards. Two goals in a three minute spell then ended the game as a contest. Firstly McDaid’s cross found Adam McLaughlin just inside the area and he drilled low to the bottom corner. Then an error in the home defence gave Shay McLaughlin the simplest of tasks to slot into the unguarded net. Gleneely had the chance of a consolation on 85 minutes when Paul Gamble raced clear but was denied by an excellent save from Kyle Dougal.
Glengad Res 2
Buncrana Res 0
A lot of the opening half saw the play congested in the midfield area with few clear chances at either end. Buncrana had an early chance after Kyle Bradley broke well on the right and saw his effort safely gathered by Michael McLaughlin. Glengad grew into the game and PJ McDaid saw an effort saved by the legs of Paul McDaid in the Buncrana goal. On the stroke of half time Joe Doherty’s cross found John G McDermott but his header flew over the bar. Buncrana again had the first chance in the second period but Bradley fired wide from twelve yards. Glengad upped the pressure and Christopher Doherty had one effort saved by McDaid before McDaid again denied PJ McDaid with his outstretched leg. On 78 minutes McDaid again kept his side in it when he tipped over a twenty five yards effort from Joe Doherty. Glengads pressure told in the 85th minute after McDermott laid the ball wide to Gary Kelly whose first time cross was slotted home by PJ McDaid. Minutes later they made it two when Joe Doherty found Kelly who sidestepped a defender and slotted low past McDaid. From the centre Buncrana’s Dale Kerr unleashed a superb effort which substitute Oran Raymond tipped onto the bar.
Division Two 11am
Dunree Res 2
Cockhill Res 5
Cockhill took an early lead after Gary Breslin fired home from twenty five yards before they doubled their lead on 5 minutes after Bernard Gubbins headed home from a corner.Cockhill continued to press and only two superb saves from Ryan Fitzpatrick kept it at two nil at half time. Cockhill started the second period well and increased their lead when Mark Gillespie found himself in space inside the area to fire low past Fitzpatrick. Dunree rallied and reduced the deficit when Jamie Brosnan converted a penalty after Eamon Fullerton was upended. But Dunree’s failure to deal with corners came back to haunt them and both Damien Friel and Ryan McDaid converted to make it five one. The home side scored a late condolation when David Eccles headed home a Ryan Toland free kick.
Rasheney Res 1
Carrowmena FC 1
In an entertaining but scoreless first half Rasheney had the first effort on goal after good play between Ciaran Dillon and Brian Devlin released Nathan McConalogue but he was denied by a superb last ditch tackle from Raymond Campbell. The visitors replied and Declan McDermott unleashed a powerful effort which Declan Grant held well. The best chance of the half fell to the home side on 28 minutes after a Tiernan McDonald cross fell at the feet of Dillon unmarked on the penalty spot but he failed to hit the target. McConalogue then fired another effort just wide before an error in the visitors defence presented McConalogue with a sight of goal but he fired straight at Brian Houten. Carrowmena responded on the stroke of half time and a long range Samuel Bredin free was held by Grant. Rasheney started the second half the better and when Nathan McConaloge was forced wide he fired across goal and just past the left hand post. Brian Devlin then saw a dangerous diagonal ball well cleared by Brian Houten in the visitors goal. Rasheney broke the deadlock on 62 minutes when Corny McCole fed Conor McDaid who laid the ball off for Ciaran Dillon to slot low into the corner from twelve yards for his first senior goal for the club. But four minutes later Carrowmena levelled after a Sean McGrenaghan free was blocked an fell to substitiute Evan McDermott on the edge of the area and he drilled low into the bottom corner. Neither side created a clear chance and the spoils were shared.
Inishowen Engineering Division 2 A
QPS Res 1
Clonmany Res 5
Clonmany started much the better and opened the scoring on 7 minutes when Nathan McKinney whipped a 25 yard free kick over the wall and past keeper Bell in the QPS goal. Pearse McCarron for Clonmany went close with a 30 yard shot which whistled past the post. On 20 minutes, in QPS’s first real attack, Jack McConnellogue’s pass found Oisin Burke, whose low cross was turned home by Joe Johnstone. On 22 minutes, a long clearance by Clonmany keeper McGonagle went over everyone and Pearse McCarran ran through and blasted into the net from 20 yards. On 37 minutes, a Paul McLaughlin free was flicked home from close range by Pearse McCarron. Just on half time, Pearse McCarron turned and smashed a 20 yard shot from a narrow angle over keeper Bell into the net to complete his hat trick . QPS played much better in the second half, but the next chance fell to Clonmany when from a long ball, Pearse McCarron was through on goal but keeper Bell saved well with his feet. Clonmany completed the scoring on 59 minutes, when they carved open the QPS defence and Daire McGonagle chip was headed home by McCarron. QPS huffed and puffed but didn’t really threaten the Clonmany goal for the rest of the game.
Greencastle Res 3
Redcastle Res 3
In an entertaining game Andrew Peoples headed over, David Walker had an effort blocked and Adam Harkin fired over after good build up play for the home side. In the same half hour period Fergus Kerr in the home goal twice make good saves from Ronan Hoy before producing a superb save from a deflected Terry McColgan effort. Redcastle opened the scoring on 42 minutes when McColgans cross was deflected into the path of Brendan Murphy to hit a half volley past Kerr from eight yards. But the home side equalised immediately when a corner broke to Harkin on the edge of the area to fire a superb effort into the top corner. Conor Gillen had an early chance for the home side but fired wide while at the other end Ronan Cassidy was again denied by Kerr. Redcastle then struck twice in a five minute spell to go three one up. Murphy raced onto a ball over the top to slot home before McColgan then ran onto a through ball to hold off a defender and slot home from sixteen yards. Greencastle tried to reply with Joe Doherty heading wide before seeing Ryan McCole making a superb save minutes later. Redcastle’s Christy Smith then had a shot tipped round the post by Kerr before McColgan had a header cleared off the line by Darragh Gillen. Greencastle then got a goal back on 75 minutes after Gillen drove past a defender and crossed for Harkin to score with an acrobatic volley to the top corner from twelve yards. Substitute Tom Heuston was then denied by McCole before they equalised on 86 minutes when Sean Cavanagh bundled the ball home from close range after a scramble. Heuston then fired a late half chance wide before the home side were reduced to ten men when Walker was red carded after an altercation.
Moville Res 0
Aileach Youth 1
In a close contest with not a lot of goalmouth incident Graeme Doherty had an early header from Joshua Gillen’s cross well gathered by Ryan Fox. Midway through the half Doherty then released Matthew McLaughlin but he failed to hit the target from the edge of the area. Aileach replied but Aaron Doherty’s free was well saved by Sean McGuinness before the break. It was a similar story in the second half but Fox made a stunning save from Mclaughlin’s header to keep the game scoreless. The defining moment came on 65 minutes when LiamWatson latched onto a long ball to out[ace the home defence and slide the ball past the advancing McGuinness. Moville tried hard and in a late half chance Danny Murphy fired wide at the back post.
Inishowen Engineering Division 2 B
llies Res 2
Culdaff Res 1
The first half was a scrappy affair but the homeside took the lead on 20 minutes when Ronan Hegarty fired high past Callum Doherty from the edge of the area. They increased their lead after a superb Liam O’ Connor cross found Ethan Doherty to head high to the net. Culdaff started the second well and ben Curley was denied by a superb save from Kevin Gallagher to his right. Matt McDaid then flicked a close range effort over the bar. Illies broke midway through the half but Hegarty had an effort well saved by Doherty. A deep corner from Niall Gordon was headed into his own net by an unfortunate defender but it was a case of too little too late and Illies join the visitors at the top of Division 2B.