Match Reports Sunday 28th October
Ulster Junior Cup
Convoy Arsenal 3
Aileach FC 2
Holders Aileach crashed out for the cup at the first hurdle as they let a two goal lead in controversial fashion.
It all began well for the holders with Dermot Doherty firing narrowly wide before Gavin Doherty saw a twenty five yards free clip the post. They took the lead after a short corner when Keith McColgan found Gavin Doherty in the box and he controlled well before firing low to the corner. Anthony Doherty then broke clear but his effort came off the post before the same player was denied in a one on one by the home keeper and in the scramble that developed the ball was cleared off the line. Convoy started well with David McGeady making a couple of good saves. On 66 minutes Dermot Doherty’s cross was volleyed home by Gavin Doherty to make it two nil. Aileach lost possession and Convoy got a goal back when Kelly converted . A cross shot into the area was gathered by McGeady on the line but the referee inexplicably awarded a goal. Aileach were rattled and in injury time they conceded again . Aileach pressed and Darren McMonagle hit the outside of the post before McColgan had an effort kicked off the line.
Bonagee United 0
Carn FC 4
Carn had the first chance in the third minute when a Cade Cooke pass from midfield found Micheal McDermott on the right wing who crossed for Brandon Browne who shot low to the left and wide from ten yards. Carn replied again from a long Aaron McCarron pass on the right wing to Conor O’Donnell who tried to lob the keeper but was well tidied up by Slayev Czachowski in the Bonagee Goal. Carn broke the deadlock on 12 minutes with Conor O’Donnell releasing Cade Cooke who was in space on the right hand side and made a good run and drilled a low shot past Czachowski to the bottom left corner of the net from inside the box.Bonagee replied on 22 minutes after a Kevin Kelly run on the right wing found Aidan McLaughlin who laid it off to Lee McMonagle who delivered a powerful shot outside the 18 yard box but was parried away to the corner by Fergal Doherty in the Carn goal. Bonagee had another chance on 31 minutes with a Christopher Toner run on the right wing and crossed it for Kevin Kelly who headed it down for Aidan McLaughlin but shot low to the left from fifteen yards but was well tidied up by Doherty in the Carn Goal. Carn got their second goal two minutes before half time when Conor O’Donnell made a run on the right wing and crossed it to Cade Cooke who laid it off for Dermot Doherty to slot home from 15 yards to the bottom right corner of the net. Carn started strong in the second half and had a good chance in the 52nd minute when sub Darragh Deery made a run on the right wing and crossed it over to Brandon Browne who shot low to the left and wide from twelve yards. Bonagee United had a chance on 64 minutes when Glen Gallagher made a run on the right wing and rounded the defender and found Lee McMonagle who shot high towards the top corner but was well saved by Fergal Doherty.Carn made it three nil on 73 minutes when Cade Cooke dispossessed Jordan Rodgers in the Bonagee midfield and made a pass to Lorcan Bradley (Pictured) who went one on one with the keeper and drilled a powerful shot to the bottom of the net from twenty yards .Carn then wrapped it up on 87 minutes when sub Conor Doherty made a run on the right wing and squared the ball to Christopher Diver who delivered a powerful shot to the bottom right corner of the net from twenty yards.
Kilmacrennan C 4
Illies Celtic 3
Played in Ballyare Kilmacrennan started well on top and took the lead when Seamus Friel fed Darragh McDaid who finished superbly from the edge of the area. Minutes later roles were reversed when Friel ran onto McDaid’s pass and was upended by Johnathan Noone with Enda Conway converting. McDaid was then denied by a good save from Noone before Friel fired into the side netting. Illies hit back and Paul Doherty and Adrian Donaghey Doherty both failed to hit the target with efforts from the edge of the area. They got a goal back when Paul Doherty’s free fell to Ryan McElhinney to poke home from close range. Illies got back on terms then on 52 minutes after Paul Doherty headed home brother Liam’s cross. But the home side regained the lead after McDaid despatched a stunning free kick from the edge of the area to the top corner. Illies rallied again and made it three all when Dominic Owen Coyle slotted home after Liam Doherty’s effort had been parried by Jason Quinn. Kilmacrennan struck for the winner on 85 minutes when a McDaid free fell to Evan McDaid to neatly tuck the ball home from twelve yards.
Lifford Celtic 2
Clonmany Shamrocks 9
Clonmany had this game well sewn up at half time as they raced into a four goal lead. It was a personal triumph for Jason Doherty who scored his side’s first four goals. Gary Doherty added a fifth on the stroke of half time. The pick of Doherty’s goal s came when he ran on to Jake Harkins through ball to race clear and finish superbly. Anything Doherty could do in the first half Harkin matched in the second half with the young midfielder grabbing four second half goals. The pick of his goals was a brilliant full on volley from Doherty s cross to the roof of the net. They even had the luxury of seeing Niall McLaughlin’s penalty crash off the bar. Lifford got two consolation goals when Jack Mahon and Corey Lindsay netted.
Cappry Rovers 1
Glengad United 6
Glengad took an early lead after Conor Barrow’s effort was parried by Eoin Gllen but Christy McLaughlin pounced to slot home. But the home side levelled on 11 minutes after Glengad failed to clear a cross and Declan O’Donnell fired through a crowd of players past Daniel Mullarkey. But Glengad regained the lead after McLaughlin broke on the right cut inside and fired low past Gallen. They increased their lead on 51 minutes when Stephen Mclaughlin fed James McKinney and he fired home from fifteen yards. Terence Doherty made it four one with a brilliant strike from the edge of the area. Doherty’s fine cross then gave substitute Cathal McDaid the simplest of tasks to convert before Joe Doherty added number six after rounding a defender and slotting home.
Buncrana Hearts 2
Culdaff FC 1
In good conditions at Castle Park Buncrana started well with Kieran McDaid causing all sorts of problems on the right. He crossed on five minutes but Mark McFadden sidefooted over from six yards. Culdaff replied and when a corner broke in the area to Bryan McCandless he fired straight at Caolan McGonagle from twelve yards. Midway through the half the home side were unlucky after Stephen McHugh and McDaid combined on the left to set up Aaron McDaid and his effort from the edge of the area cannoned back off the bar. Buncrana missed a great chance after McHugh released McFadden who rounded Darragh McLaughlin but somehow fired wide. Culdaff then spurned a great chance also when McCandless squared the ball inside to Aiden Cunningham but he fired at McGonagle from twelve yards.On the stroke of half time Buncrana went close again when McDaid beat a defender but saw his effort clip the outside of the post. Culdaff got off to a great start on the resumption when a brilliant run and cross on the right by Thomas O’Brien found Cunningham to score with a superb header over McGonagle. Buncrana had a chance to hit back immediately after McDaid was adjudged to have been upended but Kevin O’Loughlin’s sot kick was brilliantly saved by McLaughlin. McLaughlin then made another stunning save from a McDaid effort before Michael Coyle headed over when well placed from a corner as the hearts poured on the pressure. They equalised on 74 minutes after a sublime cross from McDaid found Coyle to slot home from close range. Buncrana kept pushing forward and went ahead on 81 minutes after McDaid ‘s free kick was superbly headed home by Michael Coyle to send the Hearts through.
Redcastle United 3
Cranford United 2 AET
The game started well with both sides having spells of possession. The first half chance came on 6 minutes when Alan Clarke turned the defender well but mis-hit his shot and it went just wide of the near post. Five minutes later Cranford had their first half chance when a loose ball was hit well by Enda McLaughlin and just started dipping too late and landed on the roof of the net. With 20 minutes played a great ball from Aiden McLaughlin found Alan Clarke whose effort was well saved by the foot of Jason Hegarty but Clarke made no mistake with the rebound and made it one nil to Redcastle. On 35 minutes good play from Cranford around the Redcastle box found Daragh Morrission but his effort was just over the bar.With 15 minutes of the second half played Cranford had their first real chance of the second half but a brilliant save from Michael McCole tipped the ball onto the crossbar. Minutes later a long ball from the Cranford defence put Kevin McGroddy through and he slotted just out of the reach of the Redcastle keeper to make it one all. With minutes left Alan Clarke found himself one on one with the Cranford keeper but this time the keeper prevailed.Four minutes into extra time a cross from Aiden McLaughlin found Eunan Mullan and his flick at the near post put Redcastle back in front. With a minute to half time a counter attack by Redcastle was well finished by Aiden McLaughlin.Three minutes after half time another long ball from the Cranford defence put Kevin Doherty in who chipped over the on rushing keeper.From the resulting kick off hesitation from the Cranford defence let Aiden McLaughlin in but this time he fired just wide. Cranford pushed hard but the home side held firm.
Ulster Junior Shield
Arranmore United 2
Culdaff Res 1
The visitors played very well in the first half but were restricted to long range efforts from Mark Doherty and Jack McLaughlin which failed to trouble the home keeper. They did break the deadlock on 37 minutes after a good move ended with Ben Curley’s superb cross was knocked to the roof of the net by an unfortunate defender. Arranmore ‘s first threat came on the stroke of half time after Peader Boyle cut in from the left and his effort was deflected over by Paul Mills. From the corner Michael McHugh headed well over.The home side were the better team in the second period and McHught turned well but saw his effort gathered at the second attempt by Puaric O’Donnell on 51 minutes. They equalised on 66 minutes when the Culdaff defence failed to deal with a long ball and Gavin McGlanaghy stepped inside a defender before curling the ball past O’Donnell and into the bottom corner. McGlanaghy then just failed to connect with a free kick at the back post. The home side struck for what proved to be the winner on 78 minutes after a good cross from the right found McGlanaghy whose first effort came off Conor Byrne and when his second came off the crossbar the ball struck a retreating defender and went into the net. Culdaff tried to rally and a Jack McLaughlin cross from the left saw Joe O’Connor just fail to connect with a diving header and the home side progress to the next round.
Kildrum Res 1
Cockhill Youth 3
Cockhill Celtic Youth had to battle back from conceding an early goal to advance to the next round of the Ulster Junior Shield at Station Road Park, St Johnston . The referee delayed the KO by 5 minutes to let a hail shower pass over as the heavens opened just before KO. The visitors then never got going at the start and found themselves a goal down on 5 minutes when a free into the box by Packie Coll, brother of Finn Harps Ciaran, was not cleared and ‘Square’ McNulty prodded home the loose ball from inside the six yard box. The home side kept the pressure up early on aided by Cockhills ill discipline giving away needless frees in dangerous areas. Cockhill did weather the storm, for want of a better word, and got back on terms on the half hour when Michael Noone placed the ball past James McNulty after a free from Ronan McLaughlin was not cleared. Cockhill went ahead on 35 minutes when captain Shaun Donaghey converted a penalty after a hand ball inside the area.
The visitors increased their lead on 50 minutes when Jack McDaid raced clear to round the keeper and pass the ball into the empty net from inside the six yard box. Kildrum tried everything to get back into the game but had very little up front and created nothing of note relying too much on the odd free into the area. Cockhill should have had a few late goals but all too often their players got themselves caught for off-side.
Redcastle Res 4
QPS Res 3
Redcastle Reserves progressed to the next round of the Ulster Junior Shield with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Quigley’s Point Swifts Reserves in Muff.
In an action-packed first-half, the visitors brilliantly took the lead after just four minutes when defender Garry Kelly collected the ball twenty-five yards out from a clearance before unleashing an unstoppable right-footed strike into the top left corner. Their lead only lasted five minutes however. Swifts midfielder Josh McLaughlin made a great drive down the right flank, and his low cross was met by Ronan Lafferty who finished well past Ryan McColl.
Redcastle were presented with a great opportunity to score a minute later but Cathal Crumlish failed to trouble keeper David Bell when well placed from eight yards out. However, on sixteen minutes, they regained the lead when Terry McColgan was able to beat his marker before rolling the ball past Bell into the bottom right corner. Six minutes later, Redcastle furthered their advantage when McColgan led a counter-attack down the right before squaring the ball to an unmarked Alan Clarke in the box who finished clinically from ten yards.
The game continued to be played at a high pace. Sean McColgan was unlucky for the hosts, his glancing header drifting just wide after a cross from Paul Grant. On thirty-seven minutes, the Swifts reduced the arrears to one when Jack McConnellogue made a run into the box and his low effort crept inside the bottom left post. Kelly almost added his second for the visitors two minutes later but his header from a corner went wide.
Quigley’s Point started the second half stronger, with substitute Joe Johnson forcing a great save from McColl after being played through on goal. The contest was levelled on fifty-five minutes when McConnellogue blasted home his second of the afternoon from the penalty spot after Johnson was fouled in the Redcastle penalty area.
The pace of the game dropped with both sides battling hard for possession but unable to create any clear chances. However, on seventy-seven minutes, the Swifts missed a glorious chance to take the lead. Johnson showed good feet and pace to get to the Redcastle byline, and his squared ball across goal was cleared off the line to Josh McLaughlin, but the young midfielder’s goal-bound effort from eight yards was cleared off the line again from some brilliant last-ditch Redcastle defending.
Two minutes later, Redcastle missed their own glorious chance to go ahead. Clarke broke the offside trap, finding himself one-on-one with Bell but the Point keeper made an excellent save. The rebound fell to Rhys Davenport who swept the ball goal-wards but was denied by a superb clearance off the line.
The game seemed destined for extra-time when Redcastle were awarded a penalty with one minute remaining after Crumlish was fouled in the box. Terry McColgan stepped up and dutifully dispatched the penalty into the top-right corner for his second goal of the afternoon, sending Redcastle into the next round of the cup.
Greencastle Res 4
Dunree United 1
This result was something of a surprise but was totally deserved as the home side shocked their first division visitors. They started well with Adam Harkin seeing an effort blocked before Kevin McLaughlin fired just over. Dunree responded and when Bernie Doherty broke into the area Shaun Cavanagh was alert to clear the danger before Thomas Mulhern fired narrowly wide on 22minutes. Greencastle broke the deadlock on 25 minutes when after a good build up Joe Doherty flicked the ball on for Adam Harkin to drill low past Philip Doherty from twelve yards. Minutes later they doubled their lead after Doherty’s flick found Andrew Peoples who turned sharply and fired a powerful effort to the bottom corner. McLaughlin then broke clear of the Dunree defence but he fired over the bar from outside the box. Dunree then had a good spell with Mulhern’s goalbound effort was cleared by Cavanagh before Liam Baldrick squared the ball across the face of goal but there were no takers. On the stroke of half time the home side added a third when Tom Heuston rose high to head home Doherty’s inswinging corner. In the opening period of the second half Doherty had one effort saved and failed to hit the target with another while at the other end Baldrick cut in and fired narrowly wide. Greencastle added a fourth when Harkin flicked on to peoples who laid the ball back to substitute Gavin Rowan and he fired a stunning twenty five yards effort to the top corner. Dunree kept trying and substitute Peter O’Neill fired just wide. O’Neill then grabbed a late consolation when he controlled a ball over the top from Mulhern before firing low past Seamus Bovaird.
Gleneely Colts 0
Cockhill Res 1
Played in glorious conditions, Gleneely were quick out of the blocks when Nathan McLaughlin was played in by Billy McCann but his shot from the edge of the box was pushed away by Gary Robinson. Gleneely had another chance on 20minutes when a long throw on the right found Paul Gamble but his shot was easily saved. Cockhill mustered a chance 5 minutes later when a free was spilled by Adrian Duffy but Gary Breslins follow up slid wide of the post from six yards. They had another chance before half time when a ball by Ryan McDaid across the box, but Gary Breslin hit the side netting when well placed.
Gleneely came out in the secnd half and had the first chance when Nathan McLaughlin was played through by Corey O’ Brien, but Gary Robinson saved low to his right. Cockhill went one up on 55minutes when they were awarded a penalty for a foul and up stepped Mark Gillespie (Pictured)to score straight down the middle. They then should have went two up but Adrian Duffy saved from Gary Breslin after a mistake in the home defence. After that the home side piled on the pressure in the last 20minutes with chances going abegging from Billy McCann, Nathan Mclaughlin and JJ Harley. Cockhill held out to advance to the next round.
Rasheney FC 3
Whitestrand United 2
Whitestrand were first to show after only 3 minutes when Michael Herrity’s free was headed across goal by Ronan Morris but there was no one there to take advantage. Rasheney responded with Tyler McBride seeing a shot deflected wide before Declan McLaughlin raced clear but dragged his effort wide with only the keeper to beat. Liam O Riordan then had an effort saved by Kieran Friel in the home goal. The visitors opened the scoring on 21minutes after a looping cross from Morris found the unmarked Shane McGlade to sidefoot home. Kevin Loughery then fired an effort just over the bar before Rasheney’s Damien Friel fired straight at Paddy Kelly in the Whitestrand goal. The visitors made it two nil before half time after good work by James Kerr ended with his cross headed home by McGlade from eight yards. Rasheney started the second half well and when John McLaughlin got on the end of Damien Friel’s cross he should have done better than flick the ball straight into Kelly’s arms. McLaughlin then converted a penalty after Aaron Harkin had been upended before the same player equalised when he drifted in behind the visitors defence to sidefoot home a Charlie Doherty free on 78 minutes. Rasheney completed a superb turnaround on 84 minutes when Friel launched the ball into the area from half way where with his first touch substitute Christy Ivers curled the ball into the bottom corner.
Moville Celtic 4
Sea Rovers 3 AET
Rovers will feel be disappointed to lose in the last kick of the game after they led by three goals to one at one stage. Moville began well with Conor Doherty and Nathan Harkin both off target with efforts. Rovers lost keeper Glen Watson to injury replaced by Graham Morgan before the home side took the lead on 27 minutes. Conor Lafferty laid the ball off on the edge of the area for Harkin to drill a low shot beyond Morgan. A mix up in the home defence saw a defender slide in and divert the ball into his own net on 35 minutes. Conor McGeoghaghan for rovers then went close with a good effort from distance before Rovers took the lead on the stroke of half time after Oisin McGonagle outpaced the home defence to drive low past Ryan Coyle. Moville had the first chance of the second half but Harkin fired into the side netting . Rovers got on top and McGonagle poked one effort wide before rounding Coyle but seeing his effort cleared off the line by Ryan Killen.Hesitation in the home defence allowed Keelan Doherty to head home and make it three one on 67 minutes. Moville rallied and got a goal back after Finn McLaughlin played a one two with Lafferty inside the area and fired low past Morgan. Conor Doherty then fired wide as Moville upped the tempo. They equalised on 78 minutes when Shane Canning fed Doherty on the left hand side of the area and he fired a crisp low effort into the bottom corner. Rovers tried to get back and Damien Ward sent a free kick inches past the post with Coyle stranded. Moville then had McLaughlin red carded for a second caution before Ward had another free brilliantly tipped over by Coyle. In extra time Ryan McColgan shot wide for the home side while at the other end Evan McLaughlin was well placed inside the area but hesitated and was crowded out. Late in the second period Canning’s ball over the top found Antonio Rea but his header lacked the power to beat Morgan. Then in the final minute with rovers appealing in vain for offside Harkin raced clear and squared the ball for Rea to slot home.
Aileach Res 1
QPS 3
The game was only 10 minutes old when Aileach opened the scoring after Seamus O Donnell advanced from midfield and squared the ball for Jordan Mc geady to fire home from twenty yards.. Quigleys Point were back on level terms 5 minutes later when Stephen Harley intercepted a pass in midfield and played in John Mc Closkey to slot passed the advancing Bradley.The point took the lead on the half hour when Sean Downey slid the ball through to the dangerous Mc Closkey who again finished low to the bottom corner. Aileach almost equalised on the stroke of half-time but Stephen Dohertys shot was cleared of the line by a defender.The second half was dull affair with both defences on top. Bradley Callaghan almost extended the point’s lead but Connor Bradley deflected his effort wide for a corner. On 85 minutes Quigleys point made sure they advanced to the next round when substitute Caolan Mc Colgan fired a shot to the top left corner from twenty yards.
Rasheney Res 2
Glengad Res 9
Played on Friday night the visitors opened the scoring in the first minute after a Paul McGonagle cross found PJ McDaid to sidefoot home. But the home side levelled midway through the half after a Nathan McConalogue strike crept inside the post. Kevin Noone then fired the home side ahead when he scored after a scramble in the area. But before the break Glengad equalised after Gary Kelly slotted home after a corner. But Glengad dominated the second half totally and blitzed the home side with four goals in ten minutes from Niall McColgan, PJ McDaid, John McDaid and Gary Kelly. Kelly then completed his hat trick with a stunning thirty yards effort to the top corner. Brian and Joe Doherty added two late strikes to complete the round.
Division Two
Carn Res 1
Aileach Youths 3
Aileach broke the Deadlock in the second minute when a Ryan Wilson cross on the right wing found Aaron Doherty who was unmarked inside the area and slottted past Dean Mason. Carn had a chance to equalize on 11 minutes when a Conor Browne pass from midfield found Conor Doherty who crossed for Christopher Diver whose shot was well saved by Ryan Fox in the Aileach goal. Carn tried in again in the 22nd minute when a Niall McGuinness pass from midfield found Calvin O’Donnell who laid it off for Conor Doherty who shot low to the right from twelve yards but was well saved again by Fox. On 34 minutes Aileach tried to make in two nil when Neil McElhinney found Darren Bradley who crossed it over for Aaron Doherty who headed over the bar from thirty yards. On 41 minutes Carn went close when a Michael McDermott long pass up the right wing to Conor Doherty who laid it off for Christopher Diver who shot wide from 15 yards. On 54 minutes Ryan Davenport made a long pass from midfield for Conor Doherty who laid it off for Calvin O’Donnell who drove a powerful shot goalwards but was parried away to the left and wide by Fox . Carn equalized in the 60th minute after a Calvin O’Donnell crossed for Christopher McDaid who was unmarked on the edge of the 18 yard box and drilled it to the bottom left hand corner of the net. Aileach responded on 67 minutes when a Ryan Wilson cross on the left found Liam Watson who drilled low to the botton right corner of the net from ten yards. Aileach doubled their lead a minute later when a Josh Lynch free kick on the half way line found Benny Hegarty unmarked and he drilled it past Dean Mason from ten yards to the centre of the net. Carn then tried to put the pressure on. On 71 minutes Conor Browne made a run from midfield and passed to Sub Eoin Rudden who laid it off for Calvin O’Donnell who headed to the left and wide from ten yards. Aileach then had a chance to get another goal when a Darren Bradley pass found Ryan Wilson on the left wing who dribbled past the defender and found Benny Hegarty who drove low to the left and just wide from twenty yards.
Carrowmena FC 1
Dunree Res 0
Carrowmena recorded their first win of the season after a tight affair at the Warren. They scored the decisive goal on 14 minutes after a superb run and cross by Declan McGuinness was headed home from a tight angle by Sean McGrenaghan. McGuinness, Evan McDermott and Raymond Campbell were all prominent as the home side dominated. They spurned a clear chance before the interval when Andrew McLaughlin found Gerard Gill with a long ball but well placed he pulled his effort wide. Dunree dominated after the break with a lot of possession but they failed to create clear chances with a good Bryce Fullerton header drifting just wide being the closest they came. Carrowmena were then denied by a stunning point blank reflex save by Ryan Fitzpatrick to deny McGuinness. Then a corner from Drew Crumlish found Gill at the back post but again he failed to find the target. Dunree pushed hard in the closing stages but the home defence stood firm.