Match Reports

Wednesday 2nd September

Jackie Crossan Premier Division

Buncrana Hearts               2

Aileach FC                            3

Played on Wednesday evening in damp conditions at Castle Park league champions Aileach completed their programme with a come from behind victory.

They started well with Aaron Nash seeing a volley saved by Eoghan O Doherty before Darren McMonagle fired over following a Dermot Doherty cross. Buncrana settled and took the lead on 12 minutes after an Aaron McDaid effort  was parried by Kyle Dougal but Gerard Boyle reacted well to slot home. Aileach responded and Nash somehow fired over from point blank range after Anthony Dohertys pinpoint cross. They got back on terms on 26 minutes when McMonagle released Stephen Doherty who fired home a rebound after his initial effort was saved. Buncrana had a good spell before the break then with McDaid seeing an effort tipped over the bar by Kyle Dougal before Bart Wesoloski just failed to get on the end of a John Timlin cross. Then before the interval Ben Bradley unleashed a twenty five yards effort which crashed off the bar. Aileach had the first chance of the second half and again Nash spurned a gilt edged chance after being set up by McMonagle. At the other end Boyle swivelled and saw his low effort tipped round the post by replacement keeper David McGeady. Aileach took the lead on 54 minutes when an Anthony Doherty effort was well parried by O’Doherty but this time Nash fired home the loose ball. Buncrana battled and got back on level terms on 73 minutes when Kevin O’Loughlin rose highest to power home Eoin Murphys corner. But with ten minutes left a defensive slip in the home rearguard allowed substitute Darren Bradley to advance and slip the ball low past O’Doherty. Buncrana had the final chance when McDaid released substitute Stephen McHugh but under pressure from a defender he fired just wide.

 

 

 

Hannon Greene Fr O Gara Cup Final Maginn Park

Clonmany Shamrocks                  4         

Rasheney   FC                                 0

As many expected Clonmany cruised to O Gara Cup success and completed a treble success over Rasheney at a rain soaked Maginn Park on Saturday. Whatever chance Rasheney had of an upset evaporated when Clonmany scored twice in the opening five minutes. First Steve Harkin slipped the ball through a static defence for Jason Devlin to slam the ball low past Paddy McGilloway. Then Devlin raced through the defence to slide the ball low past McGilloway from fifteen yards. McGilloway then  blocked a Pearse McCarron effort after a good move ended with McCarron clear inside the area. Rasheney tried to get back into it and on 23 minutes  an inswinging Charlie Doherty free just eluded Conor McDaid at the back post. But Clonmany resumed in control with a Ferghal Harkin free clipping the bar before Devlin completed his hat trick with a glancing header from a Matthew Brennan cross. McGilloway then made further saves to deny Devlin and McCarron . On the stroke of half time Rasheney went close after Doherty’s snapshot was well saved by Patrick Harkin and when Cormac Dillon flashed the loose ball across goal there was no one there to take advantage. Rasheney had the opening chance in the second half after Shane Cregan found space inside the area and saw his looping effort drift past the far post. At the other end a right footed looping effort from Devlin was brilliantly tipped over by McGilloway. Minutes later Devlin  collected a superb pass from keeper Harkin and saw an effort crash off the bar. Rasheney to their credit battled gamely and both David Mclaughlin and McDaid were off target with efforts around the hour mark. Devlin then latched onto a ball over the top and when he was forced wide the ball fell into substitute Mark Mclaughlin’s path but he blazed over.  Clonmany kept pressing and when Oisin Hession played a one two with McLaughlin his effort was again saved by McGilloway. The shamrocks completed the scoring on 84 minutes after Mclaughlin displayed deft footwork on the edge of the area  and fired a superb left footed shot low to the corner.

Man of the Match

For Rasheney McGilloway had an excellent game while Joey Holland and John Mclaughlin battled gamely. Clonmany had a real solid team effort and dominated throughout and Jason Devlins hat trick means he fully deserves the award.

 

Inishowen Engineering Division Two A

Cockhill Res                        3

Aileach Youths                   5

In great conditions at the Charlie O’Donnell Sports Ground both teams fought out a highly competitive match from start to finish in the final game of the season for both teams.A young Cockhill side went toe to toe with a very strong Aileach team and it was Cockhill who took a deserved lead after 20 minutes when Cian Downey made a good run inside from the flank, beating his man before firing a cracking 30 yard effort past Dylan Clarke.Aileach proved a threat throughout with Jordan McGeady and Paddy Curran posing problems with their hold up play and pace in behind, linking up well with Stephen Doherty which led to the equaliser when quick thinking by Stephen Shivey caught the Cockhill defence sleeping allowing Darren Bradley to sneak in at the back post and equalise.Aileach then took the lead just before half time which was harsh on Cockhill when more quick thinking from a free saw Paddy Curran score at the back post slotting past Eoin Colhoun in the Cockhill net.Cockhill started the second half well and good play down the left saw Mark Gillespie get the better of James Wallace and his cross found Kevin McDaid who fired home to even the match up. But  Aileach took the lead again when Paddy Curran scored his second of the match with a fine finish after cutting inside firing low into the bottom corner. Cockhill never gave up and deservedly equalised again, this time Wes Doherty was quickest to react when a John Grant free kick broke in the box, Wes made no mistake with the rebound to even the game up again.

Aileach then regained the lead with 10 to go, this time a long ball into the box was not properly cleared and the ball fell kindly to Benny Hegarty who had the simple task of heading  the ball into the empty net from a few yards out. Cockhill went down to ten men after an injury late on when all subs had been used and deep into injury time threw every man forward for a late corner but Aileach cleared the danger and countered quickly to score again right on the final whistle with Gareth McLaughlin putting the gloss on the scoreline for Aileach.