Match Reports Sunday 6th March
Sunday 6th March
Jackie Crossan Premier Division
Glengad United 3
Moville Celtic 1
After an uneventful opening period the visitors took the lead on 25 minutes after the home side lost possession in midfield
allowing Marc Bell to run through and although Daniel Mullarkey got his hand to the initial effort the rebound fell kindly for Bell to slot home. Although the home side dominated possession the only chance of note they had was as half time approached when a Lee McColgan cross cum shot glanced off the bar. The introduction of substitute Conor Barrow turned the tide in the home sides favour as he had a hand in all three goals. Firstly on 67 minutes Barrow broke on the right hand side before pulling the ball back into the path of Stephen McLaughlin to fire to the roof of the net past Ryan Coyle. Ten minutes later another Barrow run and cross found Terence Doherty to slot home from close range to put the home side ahead. Barrow then sealed the win when he raced clear onto a Stephen Harley through ball to drill low past Coyle and in off the post.
Clonmany Shamrocks 2
Cockhill Youths 1
In a scrappy opening half there were few clear chances with defences on top and a lot of midfield tussles. Clonmany had the first opportunity in the 18th minute when Paddy Doherty fired over the bar. Cockhill responded but Michael Noone also failed to keep his effort on target. Clonmany had a couple of chance then with Shane McCaul heading over before a Jake Harkin effort was deflected behind and from the corner Steve Harkin headed over the bar. The visitors replied before the interval when Noone rose highest to head over following a free kick into the area. Cockhill had the first chance of the second half when Shay McLaughlin broke clear of the home defence but was denied by a last ditch Jason Devlin tackle. At the other end Jake Harkin headed home at the back post from Devlins corner to out the home side ahead. Midway through the half Paddy Doherty was upended inside the area and Oisin Hession fired low to Eoin Colhouns left hand side. Cockhill responded and reduced the deficit when substitute Paul Duffy fired a free kick from the edge of the area to the bottom left hand corner past Aiden Lynch. On 77minutes Clonmanys Paddy Doherty ran onto substitute Marty Dohertys pass but fired wildly over the bar. The home side had Devlin to thank again when he reacted well to dispossess another substitute Jack McDaid who had latched onto a long ball as the home side held on for the win.
Carn FC 1
Aileach FC 3
After their defeat in Greencastle last week Emmet Mclaughlins side were keen to get back to winning ways and began brightly. They took the lead in the 7th minute when Gavin Doherty broke on the left and crossed for Ethan canning who fired a powerful shot to the bottom right corner of the net from inside the 18 yard box. Carn had a chance to pull one back on 22 minutes after a Michael McDermott pass from midfield found Cade Cooke on the left who rounded the defender and laid it off for Kyran Cantwell but he was narrowly off target from outside the area. Aileach got a chance to double their lead on the half hour when a Jordan McGeady cross found Darren McMonagle unmarked in the penalty area but he shot over the bar from 10 yards. Carn replied with sub Adam McLaughlin crossing to Cantwell whose low shot was well tidied up by Darragh McLaughlin in the Aileach goal. Aileach doubled their lead on 49 minutes when Jordan McGeady broke on the right and laid it off to Dermot Doherty who drove a powerful low shot past Kyle Harkin from 15 yards. They made it three on 58 minutes after Darren McMonagle evaded two defenders and laid it off for Dermot Doherty who finished superbly to the top corner. Carn pulled a goal back after a Dayton Cooke corner from the left found his brother Cade unmarked outside the 18 yard box and drove a powerful shot to the top right corner of the net. Carn went close again when Cade Cooke made a great pass to substitute Cian Burke who went on a tremendous run rounding two defenders and shot low to the right and wide from eight yards. Aileach had the final chance after Darren Mc monagle broke on the right wing and fed McGeady but his effort failed to hit the target when well placed.
Illies Celtic 1
Buncrana Hearts 0
This local derby started off at a good pace and Illies had the first chance after a Matthew Green cross found Dominic Coyle but he headed over. Buncrana responded with Aaron McDaid firing just wide before a dangerous Kieran McDaid cross eluded all . Then in a goalmouth scramble Eoin Murphy blazed over and then Jerry Gill’s cross cum shot glanced off the crossbar before being cleared. Illies had the final chance of the half when Paul Doherty threaded a ball into the path of Adrian Donaghey-Doherty but he fired straight at Rory Kelly in the Hearts goal. It was even tighter in the second period and but the visitors spurned a couple of good chances. On the hour they went close when Aaron McDaid released Bart Wesolowski whose effort crashed off the bar before being cleared. Ten minutes later Kieran McDaid sent Wesolowski in but this time he skied his effort over the bar from a good position. With time running out Illies struck for the winning goal. Liam Doherty evaded two challenges in midfield before spreading the ball out to Ethan Doherty whose low cross was swept home from ten yards by substitute Brendan Grant to clinch the points in a hard fought battle.
Strand Hotel Division One
Redcastle United 1
Aileach Res 1
Aileach completed their season undefeated with this draw at Foyle Park in beautiful conditions on Sunday morning. They started well and on 9 minutes Darren Bradley cut inside from the right but drilled an effort just wide. Redcastle responded with Sean Curran whipping a delightful ball across the face of goal but there were no takers before Gavin Grant headed over a Curran free kick. Before the interval Paddy Curran had an effort saved by Michael McCole while at the other end Martin McCarron saw his shot well saved by David Mc Geady. Aileach started the second half the better and took the lead after Curran cut inside a defender and when his initial effort was saved by McCole he followed up to slot the rebound home. Both Gareth McElroy and James Wallace had good efforts saved by McCole as Aileach looked to press home their advantage. Redcastle finished strongly and on 82 minutes Darren Harkin got on the end of a Stephen Grant cross but his effort crashed off the bar. They salvaged a point on 86 minutes when Brendan Murphy cushioned a header from a Cahir McLaughlin cross into the path of Cathal Crumlish who drilled a low effort inside the post.
Greencastle Youth 1
Dunree United 3
Dunree continued their recent good form with this impressive away win in Chapel Lane. They started well and were unlucky when Jerry Farrell capitalised on a back pass but saw his effort crash off the post. Greencastle replied and Conor Gillen was also unlucky to see his goalbound effort cleared off the line. After the home defence failed to clear Farrell poked the ball home at the back post to break the deadlock on 27 minutes. The first effort of the second half fell to the home side with Gerry Gill unleashing a twenty five yards effort just off target. After an attempted clearance in the home defence in the 59th minute the ball was blocked and fell kindly for Farrell to slot home his second of the game. Midway through the half they made it three nil with Thomas Mulhern converting from a corner. Greencastle battled away and got a late consolation following a corner with Christy Hegarty scoring with an excellent finish.
Glengad Res 0
Culdaff FC 3
The home side had the first opportunity of the game when Gary Kelly fired into the side netting from a tight angle. But Culdaff responded and took the lead on 17 minutes when Jack O Brien split the home defence for Bryan McCandless to run through and drill low past Michael McLaughlin. Glengad responded with Ryan Mclaughlin volleying wide before John G McDermott fired over the bar. On the stroke of half time the visitors were unlucky after McCandless header from an Aiden Cunningham cross came back off the post. The home side had the first opportunity of the second period when McDermott saw his effort tipped onto the post by Martin Mclaughlin. But the visitors upped the tempo and when a Jack Mclaughlin effort was well saved Keith Norris was on hand to fire home the rebound. Culdaff completed the scoring on 81 minutes after a good passing move ended with Thomas O’Brien cutting inside a defender and shooting low to the corner to guarantee them runners up in the league and a promotion play off with Carn FC in a couple of weeks time.
Inishowen Engineering Division Two A
Carrowmena FC 2
Sea Rovers 3
Rovers started this game well with Damien Ward , Conor McGeoghaghan and Caolan Doherty prominent in midfield. On 19 minutes Andrew Gallagher raced clear of the home defence but keeper Kyle Dougal saved the day at the expense of a corner. Carrowmena responded with a Kevin McLaughlin ball over the top to Gerard McLaughlin whose cross found Ryan McDermott but his looping header was scrambled clear by keeper Mark McLaughlin. Against the run of play the home side had a great chance on 37 minutes when Gerard Mclaughlin laid the ball off to McDermott whose point blank effort grazed the post. Rovers replied and broke the deadlock three minutes later when Conor Gallagher found Ward whose through ball released Andrew Gallagher who drilled past Dougal from fifteen yards. On the stroke of half time Gallagher fired a penalty low past Dougals outstretched right hand to double their lead. Rovers had the first chance of the second half when David Gallagher capitalised on a defensive error to advance but drilled wide. The home side got a goal back on 64 minutes when Adam Harkin was upended and McDermott converted low to Mclaughlins right hand side. Carrowmena got on top and deservedly equalised on 75 minutes after substitute Ronan Doherty collected a cross from Ciaran Browne before swivelling and firing low past Mclaughlin. But Rovers hit back within two minutes after a Conor McGeoghaghan free found Gallagher who fired past Dougal from eight yards to complete his hat trick. Carrowmena pushed hard in the closing stages but Rovers held out to continue their recent good form.
Rasheney FC 1
Illies Res 3
Illies started this game well and Gavin Doherty fired one effort wide from the angle of the area before Shane Devlin had a shot saved by Damien Friel. On 18 minutes Rasheney responded with a David McLaughlin effort blocked by a defender before his follow up was well gathered by Graham Doherty. Illies replied and Gavin Dohertys curling effort was heading to the top corner before Friel brilliantly tipped the ball around the post.Rasheney then took the lead midway through the half after Charlie Doherty laid a free kick off to keeper Damien Friel who curled a superb strike around the wall and into the bottom corner. But within a minute Illies responded after Devlin latched onto a loose ball on the right hand side of the area and fired a sweetly struck shot across Friel to the far corner. Illies then took the lead on 33 minutes after a mis hit free kick came off the wall to Devlin who reacted quickest before drilling a superb low effort to the bottom corner from the edge of the area. Rasheney tried to hit back and on the stroke of half time Eoin McLaughlin sidestepped a defender but saw his effort saved by Doherty. There was little to report in the early stages of the second half but on 70minutes Illies Gavin Dohertys diagonal cross just eluded substitute Ronan Hegarty. Illies then increased their lead after a Nathan McLaughlin corner bounced inside the six yards area and into the roof of the net to make it three one. Rasheney finished the game strongly creating a number of chances. A Declan Mclaughlin free just eluded substitute Cormac Dillon at the back post before slackness in the Illies dfence gifted Eoin Mclaughlin a clear sight of goal but Doherty saved well. Declan Mclaughlin then fired over the bar before Dillon had one effort saved and saw the final chance crash off the bar.
Buncrana Res 3
Cockhill Res 0
A youthful home side started this game the better and went ahead after 11 minutes when a Jack Soal cross found Liam Jordan to head past O’Donnell in the Cockhill goal from twelve yards. Cockhill responded well to this setback and Luke Bradley fired one shot straight at Oran McBride before failing to hit the target in a one on one situation just before the interval. Buncrana again started the second half well and made it two nil on 55 minutes when Michael Doherty fired low past O’Donnell from the tightest of angles on the left. The home side ensured the points on 73 minutes when debutant Colin Murphy ‘s crossfield pass found Jordan to fire past the stranded O’Donnell.
Inishowen Engineering Division Two B
Culdaff Res 4
Aileach Youths 2
After a good opening by both teams Noel McLaughlin had a twenty five yards effort well saved by Aileach keeper Dylan Clarke while at the other end Matthew McDermott picked out Dylan McGrory but unmarked he headed over the bar from ten yards. Aileach then took the lead with a well worked goal which ended with McGrory releasing Ethan O Toole who finished superbly to the top corner. Culdaff responded well and Noel McLaughlin headed wide when well placed before a Matt McDaid free crashed off the bar. They spurned a great chance after a Darragh McCormick cross found Stephen Callaghan but he was denied from point blank range by Clarke. The pressure told on 41 minutes when brilliant control by Mclaughlin from a Reece McDaid cross saw him turn and fire low past Clarke from eight yards. The home side then took the lead when McLaughlin converted a penalty low to Clarkes right after he had been upended. The home side had the first chance after the break when after good approach play Reece McDaid fired narrowly wide. Aileach then got on top for a spell and spurned a couple of good chances. After Benny Hegarty had been upended inside the area Daibidh Grant saw his well struck penalty superbly saved by Dermot Callaghan before a Kevin Wallace header was cleared off the line by Stephen Callaghan. William O Donnell then found space to unleash a powerful effort but Dermot Callaghan tipped his effort over the bar. Culdaff broke and Reece Mcdaid was denied by a stunning save from Clarke before substitute Niall Mclaughlin back heeled the ball into nephew Patricks path and he slotted home to make it three one. Aileach kept pushing and after a Kevin Wallace header fell to substitute Aaron Doherty he fired home from the edge of the area in the 89th minute. But Culdaff sealed the points when Niall Mclaughlin scored with an audacious free kick into the top corner from a very tight angle in the final minute.
Dunree Res 3
Moville Res 3
Dunree started off strongly and after two minutes Gareth Mc Geever’s long ball from defence put in Sean Doherty who lifted it over the Moville keeper Stephen Telles just for it to go wide of the post . Then Mickey Grant in midfield played a brillant ball to Gary Breslin who raced clear but his one on one with the keeper he also fired wide.Dunree piled on the pressure and in a goal mouth scramble from a corner from Sean Doherty fell to Grant who hit the crossbar from inside the 6 yard box .Moville replied and caught Dunree on the counter attack midway through the half when Mark Grimley played in Michael Mc Carron but his driven shot was straight at the Dunree keeper Philip Diherty .Moville then broke the deadlock on 33minutes after a corner swung in and at the back post John Harkin headed it home .After this Dunree pressed hard for the equaliser and on 40 minutes Tiarnan Moran was upended on the edge of the box Ryan Toland stepped up with a rocket of a free kick to the top right hand corner giving the keeper no chance to make it one all at half time . Both defences were well on top until the 60 minute a Gareth Mc Geever free kick from the halfway deceived all heads in the box and bounced over the Moville keeper to give Dunree the lead .After this it was Moville pressing for the equaliser and when Mark Grimley got upended at the edge of the box on Michael mc Carron stepped up and drove the free kick to the right hand corner passed Philip Doherty in the Dunree goal . Five minutes later John Mc Geady for Moville put a through ball through but a Dunree player slipped to leave Mark Grimley one on one he tucked it low past the keeper to the corner to put Moville ahead .Then on 80 minutes there was a bad injury from John Harkin in the Moville defence we wish John a speedy recovery . After a delay the game resumed and Dunree got there equaliser after Sean Doherty swung in a great free kick which deceived every player in the box and crept in at the back post to make it three three.After this it was all Dunree pressing for the winner and on 88minutes Ryan O Donnell put Sean Doherty down the left hand side his cross into the box fell for Marty Mc Dermott but his shot went over the bar .
Clonmany Youth 2
Rasheney RES 1
This local derby was played in good conditions on Sunday morning and while the home side dominated in terms of possession they found clear chances hard to come by in the opening half. On 18 minutes Liam McGonigle found space to unleash an effort from outside the area but Roger McGilloway gathered comfortably. Rasheney then took the lead against the run of play on 38 minutes when a Ryan Doherty (S) free kick from wide on the right sailed over the head of Killian McCarron and into the net. This spurred the homesid einto action and when Johnathan McDaid fed Aaron Harkin he evaded couple of challenges but from a tight angle his effort was saved . The home side equalised just before the break when a headed Eamon Reidy clearance was collected by McGonigle who found Aaron Porter ‘s blind side run to nip in and slot low past McGilloway. Clonmany dominated the second half but stout defending by the visitors made it difficult for them. On 59 minutes Dylan McEleney intercepted a kick out and ran through but his low effort was blocked by the legs of McGilloway. They did take the lead on 79 minutes when Porter despatched a stunning twenty yards free kick to the top corner. Rasheney suffered a number of body blows when McGilloway had to retire injured as then his replacement Philip Harkin had to also to retire injured. They then had Ryan Doherty red carded for a second caution. Clonmany finished strongly with Aaron Harkin blazing over the bar before Jack Doherty saw a close range effort come off the bar after a corner.