Match Reports Sunday 22nd May
Saturday 21st May
Donegal Signs Division Two Shield Final
Maginn Park 5pm ET & Pens
Hearts clinch league and shield double in dramatic fashion.
Buncrana Hearts Res 1
Illies Res 0
Oran McBride was the hero of the hour for Buncrana Hearts Res as the young goalkeeper pulled off a superb last minute save to deny Dominick Doherty from the spot and help seal a league and cup double for his side.
In truth, Sean Tolley and Donald O’Doherty’s men were the better side over the course of the 90 minutes and in the end, they were fully deserving of their victory. After a very quiet opening the first chance arrived on 17
minutes with veteran striker Stephen McHugh dragging a free kick wide from the edge of the area. Caomhan Doherty then headed a Michael Doherty corner wide before Illies finally tested McBride in the Hearts goal when John Pio Donaghey fired straight at the young keeper on 26 minutes. Buncrana replied and Graham Doherty then made a smart stop to deny McHugh from a header inside the area before Nathan McLaughlin got on the end of an excellent pass from Shane Devlin, only to fire wide at the near post. The final chance of the half fell to the Hearts but Paul McDaid blazed well over from the edge of the box on the stroke of half time. The second half was a much livelier affair and just three minutes in, Illies passed up a great chance when Marty Doherty found himself with only McBride to beat but the midfielder took too long before curling just past the post. Within a minute at the other end Christy McKinley then rounded Doherty at the other end but when he looked like he would open the scoring, Dominick Doherty was in the right place at the right time to clear off his own line. Illies custodian Doherty then had to be alert to push a McHugh effort over but the opening goal finally arrived on 68 minutes.
McHugh floated a glorious ball to the back post from a free out on the left and there was big Paul McDaid, whose last goal on this ground came against PSG in the Foyle Cup many moons ago to head his side into the lead. Naturally enough Illies Res pushed hard to get themselves back into the game but it looked as though their chance had gone when Nathan McLaughlin fired wide from a Gavin Doherty cross. There was to be one final twist however, as referee Liam Porter pointed to the spot after McLaughlin had been clipped, right on the edge of the area. The Hearts players were adamant that the contact had taken place outside the box but the decision was made and up stepped player-manager, Dominick Doherty. Despite hitting the penalty well, McBride got down low to his right to make a wonderful save and seal a famous double for his side.
Man of the Match
Dominick Doherty and William McLaughlin used all their experience in the Illies defence while Marty Doherty really put himself about in the middle and covered a lot of ground in a battle to drag his team into the contest.
Young Thomas Adair caught the eye at right back for the Hearts and captain Caomhan Doherty brings a real sense of calm and leadership to the heart of the back four while Paul McDaid had a really good game in the middle of the park. The award in the end however, goes to Hearts keeper, Oran McBride. When he was needed most, McBride came up with a superb stop to effectively win the game for his side.
