
Match Reports Sunday 5th May
Tuesday 30th April
Knockalla Caravans Cup Semi Final
Bonagee United 2
Greencastle FC 0
Bonagee United booked a place in the Knockalla Caravans Senior Cup final as they put the just-crowned Inishowen League champions Greencastle FC to the sword at Dry Arch Park
.Goals in either half by Jordan Armstrong and Ryan Rainey gave Bonagee a deserved win, but there was celebration, too, for Greencastle, who were crowned Inishowen League champions midway through this one thanks to Glengad’s draw with Carn at the Crua. While Greencastle, just 48 hours after winning the Ulster Junior Cup final on Sunday evening, enjoyed plenty of possession, the Inishowen League outfit couldn’t trouble Eugene Ferry in the Bonagee goal. For long spells, though, the game was still anyone’s and it wasn’t until Rainey tucked in the second on 75 minutes that the win was safe for the home side. Darren McMonagle, heavily involved after his introduction to the fray early in the second half, swung in the cross from the stand side and former Wolves youngster Rainey steered past Dylan Doherty at the near post. McMonagle himself had a couple of cracks at putting the game beyond Greencastle. However, he got his wires crossed after being put clear just after being sent on, while he headed wide from point-blank range after Rainey’s header across goal providing the opening. McMonagle worked Doherty after scampering in from the right as Bonagee upped the ante. The USL side – who were minus top scorer Garbhan Grant – took the lead in the 12th minute when Armstrong finished from a Micheál Doherty cross from the left. Jamie McCormick had a go at finding an equaliser, but he was off target while Shaun Doherty curled over the top. Michael Funston flashed narrowly wide, while Doherty did well to save from Rainey after he was picked out by Funston’s cross. Just before half-time, McCormick had a sight of Ferry’s bottom corner from the edge of the area, but he shot wide. There was a strange sight at the break as news filtered through from Glengad and Greencastle were able to toast the title before the start of the second half. It means a treble haul of honours for Greencastle, who have already won the Clubman Shirts League Cup and the Ulster Junior Cup. McCormick bent one over Ferry’s goal, but it was as close as the visitors got and Rainey, finally, made safe the win for Jason Gibson’s men. Bonagee will face Kildrum Tigers or Glengad United in the final.
Jackie Crossan Premier Division
Glengad United 1
Carn FC 1
With Terence Doherty and Christopher McLaughlin both injured the home side were devoid of much of their attacking potency at the Crua on Tuesday night and ultimately this proved to be their undoing. Carn were short quite a few regulars but battled bravely throughout and few could argue that they didnt deserve this unexpected result. Glengad started well and dominated possession but it was 25 minutes before they had an attempt on goal when Seamus Doherty fired narrowly over from twenty yards. Carn responded and created a half chance with Ryan Kelly’s long clearance finding Tiernan Coyne who shot over the bar. Glengad took the lead on 38 minutes after a Conor Barrow corner was parried by Dean Mason for Doherty to slide the ball home from six yards. Carn came much more into the game after the break with both Coyne and Christopher McDaid seeing efforts saved by Daniel Mullarkey. They got back on terms on 77 minutes when the home defence failed to deal with Coyne’s corner and Ryam kelly fired home from twelve yards at the back post. Glengad upped the tempo in the closing minutes and their best chance fell to Matthew Byrne eight yards out but his effort cleared the bar.
Friday 2nd May
Inishowen Engineering Division 2 A
Clonmany Res 6
Redcastle Res 1
Redcastle started brightly and went close in the 9th minute when Emmett McConway was put through but his shot was saved and cleared by Liam McGonigle and a quick counter attack was set up by John Porter and this allowed Dessie Doherty to get behind the Redcastle defence and he steered
the ball beyond Ryan McCole in the Redcastle goal to give Clonmany the lead.Clonmany added a second in the 15th minute when Michael Devlin’s corner from the left was flicked home at the near post by Conor Doherty.With four minutes remaining in the first half Dessie Doherty added a third goal from close range despite Ryan McCole attempted block. The second half was only three minutes old when Clonmany scored their fourth through Paul McLaughlin when he burst into the box on the right hand side and thundered a shot in off the post to the roof of the net. Redcastle pulled a goal back in the 55th minute when Ronan Moy burst into the box and his shot found the net from close range. Redcastle’s Brendan Murphy went close soon after but his shot from the edge of the box went narrowly wide. Clonmany added a fifth in the 71st minute when Paul McLaughlin’s free kick from the halfway line was volleyed past Ryan McCole by Clonmany midfielder Paul Devlin. Clonmany wrapped up the scoring in the 75th minute when Dessie Doherty’s shot from the right of the box was parried away by Ryan McCole but Clonmany sub Thomas Comiskey was on hand at the back post to finish the loose ball to the net to leave a full time score of Clonmany Res 6 Redcastle Res 1.
Charlie O Donnell Cup Final Maginn Park
Aileach Res 1
Moville Celtic 5
Two defensive lapses early in the second half contributed greatly to preventing Aileach from causing an upset. Aileach had a great chance on 5 minutes when Benny Hegarty released Eamon Brown on the left and his cross found the unmarked Stephen Doherty who headed wide from six yards. Moville suffered a blow then when captain Carlie Gill had to retire injured. Moville gradually found their feet and on 15 minutes Finn Mclaughlin fired over after Nathan Harkin had set him up. Midway through the half Caolan Doherty had a curling effort from the right had edge of the box come off the bar and post before being cleared while Harkin had a curling effort saved by Ciaran Bradley. Michael McNaught then turned and twisted inside the area but his effort was blocked behind by Damien Barr and Conor Doherty headed wide from the corner. Aileach responded with a James Wallace free saved by Ryan Coyle before Paddy Curran latched onto a poor back pass but Coyle blocked his effort. Aileach suffered a blow on the stroke of half time when they lost their captain Damien Barr through injury. Moville had the first chance of the second half on 55 minutes when a long clearance from Coyle sent Harkin clear but Bradley spread himself to block well. The great work by Conor Doherty took him into the area where his effort was blocked by Bradley and Caolan Doherty ‘s follow up clipped the outside of the post. They broke the deadlock when Shane Canning threaded a superb pass into the inside right channel for McNaught to finish superbly past Bradley. But Aielach equalised immediately when a Shane McMonagle cross broke to Benny Hegarty who fired to the roof of the net. But Moville regained the lead within a minute after Harkin sized on a poor defensive header to lift the ball past Bradley from ten yards. Minutes later a long range free by Canning evaded Bradley and landed in the net and there was really no way back for the Aileach men. Another long clearance from Coyle sent McNaught clear and he unselfishly squared to Caolan Doherty to tap home. Aileach defende Brown then averted a certain goal with a timely intercept before Moville completed the scoring when McNaught dribbled in along the end line and from an acute angle fired home.
Man of the Match
For Aileach Sean McHugh and Benny Hegarty were very prominent while for the winners Shane Canning and Nathan Harkin were always to the fore. But scoring two goals and providing a superb assist the winner of the award was Moville’s Michael McNaught.
Sunday 5th May
Jackie Crossan Promotion/Relegation Play Off
Clonmany Shamrocks 1
Cockhill Celtic Youths 3
In an end to end first half Cockhill had the first opportunity in the opening minute when Darragh McDermott broke into the box from the right wing but Patrick Harkin clawed his shot around the post to concede a corner. Clonmany created their first chance in the 6th minute when Jake Harkin’s pass found Mark McLaughlin’s run into the box but Kyle Dougal came out to block Mark’s shot. Cockhill took advantage of a Clonmany error in midfield in the 16th minute to break forward through Shane Doherty on the left wing who advanced into the area but Patrick Harkin was off his line quickly to avert the danger. Clonmany forced another save from Kyle Dougal in the 22nd minute when Jake Harkin ran onto Mark McLaughlin’s pass but Kyle came out quickly to save with Marks follow up shot going wide of his right hand post. Cockhill took the lead in the 27th minute when a cross field pass found Shane Doherty in space on the left side of the box and his cross found Darragh McDermott at the right post and he finished to the net from close range. Clonmany equalised in the 29th minute when Patrick Harkin’s clearance was controlled in midfield by Mark McLaughlin and his pass found Jason Devlin on the 18 yard line and he curled a shot low past Kyle Dougal to the bottom left hand corner of the net. Clonmany almost grabbed a second in the 35th minute when Oisin Hession ghosted downthe right wing but his cross was headed narrowly wide by Steve Harkin. The final chance of a ding dong half saw Clonmany’s Declan McLaughlin cross from the right wing for Jason Devlin but he saw his header loop over the bar. Cockhill started the second half brightly and regained the lead in the 52nd minute when Darragh McDermott found himself in space on the right side of the Clonmany box. Darragh’s initial shot was saved by Patrick Harkin but the ball broke kindly for him and he curled a shot to the top right hand corner of the net. Cockhill added a third goal in the 60th minute when Adam McLaughlin broke clear down the left wing and was left one on one with Patrick Harkin and he finished cooly, shooting low into the bottom corner. Clonmany almost pulled a goal back in the 66th minute when Jason Devlin broke down the left wing and pulled the ball back for Jake Harkin at the 18 yard line but his shot was tipped over spectacularly by Kyle Dougal. Kyle Dougal was called on again two minutes later when Jason Devlin broke into the box but again he came out quickly to close down the space and save Jason’s shot.Clonmany threw everything into attack in the final 15 minutes and almost reduced the deficit in the 78th minute after Jason Devlin collected the ball on the edge of the box and worked some space to get away a shot but yet again Kyle Dougal was well positioned to save. The final moments of the game saw Clonmany mount one last attack but Mark McLaughlin saw his shot from the edge of the box go over the bar and Cockhill recorded a 3-1 victory to clinch promotion and relegate Clonmany to the First Division in the process.
Jackie Crossan Premier Division
Buncrana Hearts 1
Glengad United 2
Glengad started brightly and Terence Doherty had a couple efforts that failed to trouble Eoghain O`Doherty in the Hearts goal. On 44 minutes the Hearts took the lead when good work from Aaron Mc Daid set up sub Ben Bradley who beat Mullarkey from five yards. Glengad got back on level terms on 52 minutes when Terence Doherty fired home from 20 yards past the despairing dive of O`Doherty in the home goal. On 68 minutes the visitors took the lead James Mc Kinney heading home from 8 yards after a sweeping move. Conor Barrow almost made it three one but his shot drew a superb save from O`Doherty. On 81 minutes Kieran Mc Daid almost got the Hearts level when a mazy dribble got him in but his shot just went the wrong side of the post with Mullarkey beaten. Mc Daid had the final opportunity of the match in injury time this time his shot from twenty yards was superbly pushed around the post. Glengad saw out the remaining minutes for victory
Carn FC 1
Greencastle FC 6
Greencastle got the first chance on 8 minutes when Eamonn Donnelly found Nigel McMonagle on the right side of midfield and he went on a brilliant run rounding the defender but failed to hit the target from 10 yards. Carn replied on 14 minutes after Shane Doherty broke on the left wing and squared it for Cade Cooke but his low shot was well saved by Dylan Doherty in the Greencastle goal. Greencastle broke the deadlock on 29 minutes when Christy Hegarty released Nigel McMonagle who went on a great run rounding the defender and slotting it to the bottom of the net from 12 yards. Greencastle doubled their lead on 32 minutes after Christy Hegarty broke on the left wing and crossed it for Conor Gillen who drilled it to the bottom right corner of the net from 15 yards. It was three for Greencastle on 39 minutes when Shaun Doherty fed Nigel McMonagle who managed to lob the ball past Jack Nelson in the carn goal to the top cornier of the net. Carn pulled one back on 41 minutes after Shane Doherty released Girts Dzerins on the right wing and and he crossed for Cade Cooke who headed it past Dylan Doherty . Carn nearly got another one back 5 minutes after the restart when a Michael McDermott pass from midfield found Christy McDaid who made a great run and slotted it to Dermot Doherty but he fired narrowly wide from 15 yards. Greencastle got their fourth on 65 minutes after David Henry was upended in the penalty area and Jamie McCormick converted the resulting penalty. Greencastle made it five on 75 minutes when Matthew Henry broke on the left wing and rounded the defender and squared it for Christy Hegarty who drove it to the bottom right corner of the net from 15 yards. Greencastle rounded off their scoring on 84 minutes when a Michael Henry pass from midfield found Christy Hegarty who laid it off for Michael Henry who shot low to the right corner of the net from 10 yards.
Inishowen Engineering Division 2 B
Illies Res 1
Dunree Res 2
Dunree opened the scoring when they were awarded a penalty on 12 minutes which TJ Mc Kinley converted . Illies then missed a couple of good chances with Brendan Doherty missing the best of these from point blank range.On 20 minutes Joe Mc Laughlin equalized for the home side on 35 minutes with a great volley from twenty yards to leave it level at the break. Dunree had another great chance to restore their lead on the hour mark but McKinley failed to convert from the penalty spot. Illies then struck for the winner on 76 minutes after Joe mc Laughlin fired home from twelve yards.The game play out with few chances on both sides.
Cockhill Res 8
Rasheney Res 3
After an even opening 20 minutes with neither keeper troubled it was Cockhill who took the lead when Tristan Donaghy raced clear to slot home past Rasheeny keeper Corney McCole. Cockhill were 2 up moments later when Kevin McDaid scored after making a good run in behind the Rasheeny defence to beat Corney McCole to the ball and head home. As half time approached Kevin McDaid scored his second and Cockhill’s third with a well timed run and first time finish past the advancing Corney McCole to put Cockhill three up. Just before halftime Rasheney were rewarded for their efforts and pulled
one back when Nathan McConellogue scored with a fine shot giving Ciaran Sharkey in the Cockhill net no chance. That goal just before half time gave Rasheeny a lift and they got right back in to the match at the start of the second half when Nathan McConnelogue got his and Rasheenys second after catching the Cockhill defence out, rounding the keeper to make it 3 – 2.Cockhill replied soon after when Mark Gillespie made it 4 – 2 before Damien Friel made it five for Cockhill with a 25 yard effort that flew past Corney McCole and in off the underside of the bar. Rasheeny were still well in the match and were unlucky when a good effort from the edge of the area by Tiernan McDonald was well saved by Cockhill keeper Ciaran Sharkey. However, Rasheeny were not to be denied another goal as Paddy McGilloway reduced the deficit scoring Rasheeny’s third to make it 5 – 3. Gary Breslin then scored a memorable hattrick in the last 15 minutes with three very good finishes, one with the left foot, one with the right and a header. His first was from a well timed run and he beat the Rasheeny keeper to slot home from a tight angle with his left foot. Breslin’s second was a close range header as he nodded home the breaking ball after Corney McCole made a good save from a Kevin Donohoe shot. The hattrick was complete with the right foot after a shot from Patrick McLaughlin came back off the post and Gary Breslin was first to react knocking in the rebound from close range.