Match Reports Sunday 20th March
Inishowen Football League Fixtures 2021-22
Sunday 20th March
Jackie Crossan Premier Division 
Clonmany Shamrocks 1
Aileach FC 2
Needing a win to keep their title hopes alive the visitors started well and took an early lead when
Aaron Nash raced onto a long ball and headed over the advancing Killian McCarron to open the scoring.But Clonmany hit back in the 14th minute when Pearse McCarron controlled a Conor Doherty cross before firing low past David McGeady from the edge of the area. The game was surprisingly lack lustre and on 35 minutes McCarron in the shamrocks goal saved well low to his right to deny Darren McMonagle. Aileach improved in the second half and on 54 minutes Nash broke into the right hand channel but fired just past the far post. They regained the lead on 59 minutes when after the shamrocks failed to clear Jordan McGeadys los effort was well parried by McCarron but Paddy Slevin drilled the ball low to the corner. The home side tried to respond and Jamie Coyle found space on the edge of the area but fired over the bar. Aileach pressed in the closing stages with Keelan Doherty dragging an effort wide when in the clear before Thomas McMonagle saw a header come back off the bar as Aileach ensured the title race goes on.
Glengad United 2
Illies Celtic 0
The homes ide started this game well and on 15 minutes John McDaid released Stephen McLaughlin who fired just wide of Johnathan Noones left hand post. Ten minutes later Mclaughlin and Terence Doherty combined well with the latters effort well saved by Noone. Illies responded and spurned a great chance after Paul Dohertys free was headed across by Liam Grant into the path of Dominic Coyle but he fired wide from eight yards. Befoe the break Glengad went close again after John G McLaughlin s long ball found Doherty who laid the ball off for McDaid but he fired wide when well placed. Four minutes after the restart the home side took the lead after Stephen McLaughlins cross found John G McLaughlin whose header came off the post for Doherty to slot past Noone from eight yards. The home side started well after the break and on 55 minutes Michael Byrne sent Stephen Harley clear of the visitors defence but he shot wide .Illies were dealt a blow when Shane Doherty was red carded for a professional foul and from the free kick James McKinney fired to the top corner from twenty yards to out Glengad two up. Substitute Brandon Browne then fired straight at Noone when well placed as the home side dominated. Illies had a late chance when Liam Grants clearance found Paul Doherty whose first time effort was well saved by Daniel Mullarkey.
Greencastle FC 5
Cockhill Youths 0
Greencastle s superb recent form continued at Chapel Lane and they took the lead from a Kyle Harkin corner which was headed home by unmarked Michael Barr from eight yards. Midway through the half a Jamie McCormick free came off the bar whose follow u was well saved by Eoin Colhoun.Cockhill suffered a blow then on 31 minutes when keeper Eoin Colhoun received a straight red card for taking Nigel McMonagle down on the edge of the area with Jack McDaid taking over in goals. Greencastle took full advantage and from the free kick Jamie McCormick fired to the bottom corner of the net to make it two nil.Greencastle were dominant then with Barrs dangerous cross on the stroke of half time well cleared by Ryan Downey. Greencastle increased their lead minutes after the restart when Jack Coyle played a superb pass into McMonagle to slot home. Kyle Harkin added a fourth soon after this when he scored directly from a corner to make it four nil. McCormick then fired a free kick over before the same player, Conor Gillen and Michael Barr had efforts saved by McDaid. But on 73 minutes the home side added their fifth goal after McMonagle broke through the Cockhill defence and fired powerfully to the roof of the net. Cockhill had a couple of chances with Conor Allen firing over the bar and Jason McCallion in the home goal saving at the feet of Shay Mclaughlin.
Strand Hotel Division One
Culdaff FC 6
Greencastle Youths 1
Greencastle started well with the aide of the wind and Evan Davenport saw an early effort saved by Dermot Callaghan in the home goals. Davenport then headed the visitors in front when he capitalized on defensive hesitancy to latch onto a ball over the top and head over the advancing Callaghan. But the home side rallied and equalised five minutes later when Ben Curleys deep cross was superbly headed to the top corner from six yards past Paul Doherty by Bryan McCandless. McCandless then out the home side ahead midway through the half when he won possession just inside the area and fired a superb effort to the top corner from fifteen yards. Culdaff were well on top at this stage and when Keith Norris low cross was sidefooted goalwards by Aiden Cunningham it took a superb save from Doherty to keep it out. On the half hour good work from McCandless saw his cross blasted over from close range by Cunningham. Ryan Greene then headed over from a corner before McCandless pounced on a defensive error to drill a low shot goalwards but Doherty saved well. On the stroke of half time Greencastle’s Josh Lafferty saw a free kick tipped round the post by Callaghan. Culdaff started the second half well and Jack McLaughlin failed to hit the target from twelve yards. But McLaughlin made amends and made it three one when he fired home after good approach play from Cunningham and McCandless. But the visitors responded and were awarded a penalty after Mark Murray was fouled in the area but Daniel Rowan blazed the penalty over the crossbar. Play swung to the other end and a deep Jack O’ Brien free kick found McLaughlin to volley home from six yards to the corner to put the home side four one up. They made it five one when substitute Sean McGrenaghan’s cross was not claimed by replacement keeper Davenport and crept over the line. They completed the scoring late on after O’Briens free kick took a wicked deflection on its way past Davenport.
Dunree United 0
Redcastle United 1
The home sides recent good form came to an end with a narrow defeat to a late Jack Ferry strike. Played in excellent conditions defences were generally on top and there were few clearcut chances in the game. Dunree had the first opportunity after Conor Barrett robbed a defender but saw his low shot well saved by Michael McCole. Redcastle responded and were out of luck after Cahir Kellys snapshot rebounded off the post and keeper Adam Harrigan gathered the rebound. The pattern continued in the second half and on the hour mark Adam Barrett bore down on McColes goal but blazed his attempt over the bar. At the other end Brendan Murphy found space to unleash a twenty five yards shot which crashed off the bar and into the grateful arms of Harrigan. With time running out Redcastle struck for the winner on 88 minutes after Ronan Hoy pounced on a defensive error and squared the ball across for Ferry to tap home.
Clonmany Res 4
Gleneely Colts 1
Played on St. Patrick’s Day morning in blustery conditions, it was Gleneely who bossed the first half. They went close in the 8th minute when Ben Miller’s corner from the left found John Doherty in space at the edge of the area but his rising shot was tipped over the cross bar by Clonmany keeper Kieran Friel. Gleneely should have taken the lead in the 12th minute when a deflected clearance fell to Vinny McKenna twelve yards from goal but he dragged his shot wide of the right goal post. Kieran Friel was called into action again in the 17th minute when Christy McDaid’s low free kick , from 15 yards in front of the goals , was saved on the goal line. Clonmany created some panic in the Gleneely box midway through the half after two consecutive corners from the right found Niall McDaid in space at the back post and his first time control enabled him to first see his attempted pass cleared for another corner and then in an identical corner his shot from a tight angle just cleared the crossbar. Gleneely finished the half as they had started ,winning another corner from the left which Ben Miller took , finding Corey O’Brien on the left of the box but his low shot went wide of Kieran Friel’s left hand post leaving it scoreless at the break. Clonmany made an early change in the second half, bringing on David McGonigle for Pearse McCarron. Clonmany were now benefitting from the conditions and were having more possession closer to the Gleneely goals. They duly took the lead in the 59th minute when Mark McLaughlin’s corner from the left was met by Philip Devlin at the back post and his close range header gave Gleneely keeper Oran Raymond no chance as it found the top corner. Clonmany made it two in the 72nd minute after Brian Devlin’s cross from 35 yards out on the left wing was carried by the wind over a stranded Raymond and nestled in the net. Gleneely got back into the match minutes later when Christy McDaid’s pass found Christy Smith’s run and he slotted low past Kieran Friel . Clonmany settled any nerves that goal had caused in the 80th minute when a corner from the right was passed back down the right touch line to David McGonigle and his cross to the back post found Niall McDaid, and again his first touch was enough to guide the ball inside the left hand post. Clonmany wrapped up the scoring in the 89th minute when substitute Niall McLaughlin passed in from the left to his brother Mark and his shot from the edge of the box beat Oran Raymond ,finding the top right hand corner of the net to leave the full-time score four one in the home side’s favour.
Donegal Signs Division Two Shield Semi Finals 
Illies Res 4
Moville Res 1
As with a lot of semi finals the opening period was a tight scrappy affair. However Illies took the lead in the 19th minute after Shane Devlin turned smartly on the edge of the area before unleashing a powerful effort to the top corner past Stephen Telles. Moville came well into the game after this and got back on terms on the half hour when a superb pass from Conor Lafferty found Evan Hudner and he fired low past Graham Doherty from sixteen yards.But Illies regained the lead on 37 minutes when Gavin Doherty fed Liam O Connor on the right and his looping cross cum shot flew over Telles to the roof of the net. There was a tight opening to the second period as well and the home side increased their lead midway through the half when William Mclaughlin pounced on a loose ball inside the area to drill across the face of goal for Paul Devlin to fire to the roof of the net from twelve yards. Moville responded and Lafferty had a snapshot well saved by Doherty. On 88 minutes Moville were reduced to ten men when Lafferty collected a second caution. From the resultant free kick by Stephen McGonagle the ball was headed down by substitute Joe McLaughlin for Nathan McLaughlin to fire to the roof of the net and complete the victory.
Buncrana Res 3
Carrowmena FC 2
There was an explosive start to this game with both teams scoring in the opening fifteen minutes. The home side got a perfect start in the opening minute after Stephen Mc Hugh controlled a long ball and scored with a superb chip over Kyle Dougal from twenty yards. But Carrowmena responded well and got back on terms on 12 minutes after Puaric Gillen was left unmarked inside the area to head home from a free kick past Oran McBride. The visitors went close again before the break then when Ronan Doherty raced onto a through ball but his effort was well saved by McBride. On the restart the home side crated the first opportunity on 58 minutes when Michael Doherty beat two defenders and fed McHugh who fired wide on this occasion. But Mc Hugh then fired the home side ahead on 70 minutes evading two challenges before firing low past Dougal from the edge of the area. Within a minute the home side had increased their lead after Paul McDaid, who had an excellent game, played a superb through ball into the path of substitute Cian McNamee to shoot low past the onrushing Dougal. Carrowmena threw everything at the home side in the final ten minutes and got a goal back in a goal mouth scramble when Gollen fired through a crowd of players. But the home defence held firm to advance to a local derby in the final against Illies Res.
Inishowen Engineering Division Two A 
Sea Rovers 3
Carn Res 1
In very blustery conditions both teams struggled to create anything meaningful in the way of clear chances . The first chance fell to the visitors on 18 minutes whenConan Gibbons struck a powerful shot from the edge of the box forcing Rovers keeper Mark Mc Laughlin a fine save. Rovers struggled in the final third but on 39minutes Andrew Gallagher found space to unleash an effort which just cleared the bar as the half ended scoreless. It took 20 minutes for any real chance after the break and it came when Carns Conan Gibbons got to a loose ball in the Rovers box and tapped it in from close range to fire the visitors ahead. Minutes later Rovers responded when a well hit shot from Rovers Daniel Gallagher forced Carn keeper Dean Mason to parry only for Rovers Keelan Doherty to get onto the loose ball and drill home. Rovers upped the ante then and took the lead when Andrew Gallagher fired low into the left hand corner of the net from furteen yards after the Carn defence failed to clear. Rovers dominated the closing stages and after a Rovers corner fell kindly to Andrew Gallagher he tapped in from close range to make the final score three one in Rovers favour.
Cockhill Res 1
Rasheney FC 1
In a game of few chances this was a tightly contested match from start to finish with neither keeper too busy. Liam Bradley came closest for Cockhill with a well taken volley that flashed just wide of Damien Friel’s far post. Cockhill keeper, Shaun Friel, did well to save a fierce shot from just outside the box from David McLaughlin as it ended goalless at the break. Rasheeny took the lead not long into the second half when the pace of Cormac Dillon proved a telling factor as he raced on to a through ball to finish well past Shaun Friel.
Cockhill responded well and a breaking ball from a corner found Dean O’Donnell on the edge of the area but his effort hit the bar.With 15 minutes to go Cockhill found a deserved equaliser after good work down the right by Caolan McKinney and Luke Bradley who played in Kevin McDaid to score from 12 yards in off the post past a scrambling Damien Friel.There were no real clear cut chances for either team in the closing stages as the game finished all square.
Inishowen Engineering Division Two B 
Aileach Youth 6
Clonmany Youth 2
The home side ignited their title challenge with this comprehensive win while at the same time probably have ended the visitors challenge. They began well and opened the scoring when Gareth McElroy tapped home from close rnage after a good cross from Daibhidh Grant. Kevin Wallace made it two nil when he rose unchallenged to head home a Dylan McGrory corner and Grant then added a third direct from a corner on 33 minutes. Before the break the home side made it four nil when McGrory converted from close range after good approach play involving a number of players. Clonmany rallied on the restart and reduced the deficit on the hour mark when Dylan McEleney fired low past Dylan Clarke from twenty yards. But Aileach upped the tempo and a superb Mcgrory cross was slotted home by Michael McElroy. Clonmany battled back and Thomas Comiskey made it five two when he scored with a cross cum shot over Clarke to the roof of the net. Aileach had the final say and completed the scoring when Gareth McElroys effort took a big deflection off a defender on its way to the net.
Rasheney Res 1
Dunree Res 1
In a scoreless opening half there was plenty of goal mouth action at Trawbreaga Park in sunny but windy conditions. Dunree started well with Shaun Doherty bursting into the area and going past keeper Fergal Diver but a heavy touch saw the ball run out of play. Then on 28 minutes Abdul Rasheed unleashed an effort on the run which Diver gathered. Rasheney responded and after a corner fell to substitute Eoin Fowley his effort was cleared off the line by a defender before a Brendan Grant cross just eluded Jake O’Donnell at the back post. Dunree ended the half strongly with Diver gathering a Bryce Fullerton effort at the second attempt before Mickie Grant fired just wide after the home defence failed to clear a corner. Then on the stroke of half time a dangerous Neil Moran cross found no takers. Moran had the first opportunity of the second half but Diver denied him with a fine smothering save at his feet. The visitors took the lead on 64 minutes after a Doherty corner was hooked home at the near post by Marty McDermott. But the home side equalised minutes later after a twenty five yards Conor O’Neill effort deceived Philip Doherty in the Dunree goal. Rasheney had another chance when a lapse in the visitors defence allowed Michael McLaughlin a sight of goal but he fired wildly wide. At the other end Rasheeed raced onto a through ball but Diver advanced to kick the ball clear. Rasheney ended the game strongly with a looping Joey Holland header saved by Doherty before Ryan Doherty and Aiden Hirell failed to hit the target with efforts. Their best chance came late on when O’Donnell sidestepped a defender but from point blank range he was denied by a brilliant save from Doherty.