Match Reports Tuesday 24th April

Jackie Crossan Premier Division    

Illies Celtic                          0

Glengad United                 3

Glengad dominated the opening  half an hour but for all their possession they really failed to trouble Johnathan Noone in the home goal.

Illies then had a great chance on 30 minutes when Paddy Doherty found Dominic Doherty six yards out but Kevin McLaughlin made a fine save with his legs.Glengad replied and Matthew Byrne headed a Stephen McLaughlin corner over the bar when well placed. The visitors made the break through on 40 minutes after a superb through ball from Michael Byrne found Terence Doherty who turned his man and fired superbly to the roof of the net. Glengad doubled their lead on 55 minutes after they were awarded a hotly contested penalty but James McKinney kept his nerve to fire low past Noone.Illies rallied and an Adrian Donaghey Doherty effort was superbly tipped over by McLaughlin before Dominic Coyle fired wide from a good position. When Paddy Doherty blocked a clearance the ball fell to Liam Grant but again Mclaughlin made a good save. Glengad sealed the tie in the final minute after substitute Patrick McDermott cut the ball back for   Terence Doherty  to tap home from close range.

Culdaff FC                            1

Greencastle FC                  3

In an entertaining game the home side opened the scoring on 11 minutes after Brendan Mclaughlin threaded a pass through the visitors defence for Jack O Brien who drilled low to the back post for Noel McLaughlin to hammer home. Greencastle replied and Michael Henry fired over before Nigel McMonagle flicked a Gavin Harkin cross just wide. Culdaff responded with Aiden Cunningham firing high and wide from a free kick. But Greencastle resumed on the front foot with a superb Matthew Henry pass up the left releasing McMonagle who lifted the ball over Darragh McLaughlin but past the far post. At the other end Brendan Mclaughlin chased a lost cause on the right and cut along the byeline but fired into the side netting. Greencastle got back on terms before the break when a poor throw in was headed by David Henry to Matthew Henry who advanced to slip the ball into McMonagle and he fired low to the bottom corner from twelve yards. After a brisk opening to the second half the visitors took the lead on 55 minutes after Sean McKinney’s through ball sent McMonagle clear and he unselfishly squared for Matthew Henry to slot home from six yards. Culdaff almost replied instantly when Cunningham ran onto a ball over the top but Dylan Doherty advanced to kick clear. Conor Gillen then had claims for a penalty waved aside after he pressurised McLaughlin in the home goal before Michael Henry had an effort deflected wide. At the other end a defenders slip gave Brendan McLaughlin a sight of goal but he attempted a  chip from the edge of the area which drifted wide . Greencastle sealed the points on 71 minutes after a superb cross from Matthew Henry found the unmarked McMonagle who rounded McLaughlin before slotting home. McMonagle was denied his hat trick when his snapshot from the edge of the area was superbly tipped over by McLaughlin.