Reports Sunday 26th February
Sunday 26th February
Ulster Junior Cup Semi Finals
Buncrana Hearts 1
Moville Celtic 0
The first half was a torrid tight affair and while the visitors enjoyed more possession there was little in the way of goal mouth action.
Midway through the half Movilles Bradley Callaghan advanced from midfield and unleashed an effort from distance that Rory Kelly comfortably gathered. Buncrana replied in the 38th minute when Kieran McDaid cut in from the right and laid the ball back into the path of Calvin Gallagher whose effort was blocked by a defender. The second half was more of the same with a lot of the play bogged down in the middle of the pitch. The crucial moment came on the hour when Sean Mullan held the ball up and laid it back for Christy McKinley who split the Moville defence with a superb pass for Jamie McDaid to run onto and fire low across Taylor Clarke to the far corner for an emphatic finish. Moville tried hard to get back into the contest but it was Buncrana who had the better chance on 82 minutes when Mullan again chested the ball down to Jamie McDaid but he blazed over the top.
Castlefin Celtic 2
Aileach FC 3
This was a tough encounter with the home side taking the lead in the 15th minute after fired the ball low to the bottom corner past Matthew Gallagher from the edge of the area. But the visitors equalised on 20 minutes when Thomas McMonagle scored with a sidefooted volley at the back post following an Ethan Canning free kick. Aileach then took the lead before the half time break after Aaron Nash went past a defender on the right and pulled the ball back to Darren McMonagle who controlled and poked past Tiernan Gallagher from ten yards. The home side began the second half on the front foot and when White weaved his way into the area his low shot was superbly turned around the post by Gallagher at full stretch. Aileach earned a corner in the 65th minute after a swift counter attack and when Canning s corner found Gavin Doherty he headed home to put Aileach three one up. But again Castlefin rallied and reduced the deficit on 80 minutes after Aileach partially cleared a corner allowing Jordan Duffy to hammer to the roof of the net from ten yards. Duffy had another chance when he controlled on the edge of the area and unleashed a first time shot which Gallagher tipped over the bar. On the break Aileach had two late chances with Gavin Doherty seeing a header come off the post and Nash firing into the side netting. The Aileach defence stood firm and they advance to their fourth Ulster Junior cup final in five seasons to set up another all Inishowen decider.
Jackie Crossan Premier Division
Clonmany Shamrocks 1
Greencastle FC 4
Greencastle dominated the opening half in excellent conditions at Shamrock Park in this early kick off. Nigel McMonagle fired wide from six yards after a corner broke for him on 5 minutes before he then pulled a shot wide after a superb James Henry through ball. But McMonagle fired the visitors ahead in the 15th minute latching onto a loose ball after Kevin McLaughlin had parried a Nathan Harkin effort. Minutes later Brennan Moore curled a superb twenty five yards free kick to the top corner to double their lead. Clonmanys only response in the first half came when Brendan Doherty fed Aaron Porter but his attempt was blocked by a defender. Greencastle resumed on top and made it three nil after Oran Kennedy played a one two with McMonagle before curling the ball past Mclaughlin. Just before the interval Henry sent McMonagle clear again but he blazed over. Clonmany started the second half well and when Paddy Doherty flicked on a Porter free to Jake Harkin he was unlucky to see his effort crash off the bar. They reduced the deficit in the 50th minute when Pearse McCarron collected the ball in midfield and went past two defenders before shooting low past Conor Browne from fifteen yards. But six minutes alter they conceded again after a looping cross from Kennedy deceived Mclaughlin and floated into the net to leave the visitors four one ahead. Clonmany tried to get back into the contest but McCarron failed to connect with a loose ball inside the area before they had penalty claims waved away.But the visitors finished the match strongly and McMonagle was denied by the advancing McLaughlin before the same player ran onto a Seamus McLaughlin pass but a superb tackle from Gareth Bradley averted the danger.
Cockhill Celtic Youths 1
Illies Celtic 2
Cockhills poor form continued and they know face the promotion relegation play off in a couple of weeks. Illies began well with Liam Doherty send Kevin McGonagle away on the right but his dangerous cross was deflected into the grateful arms of Eoin Colhoun. Another great ball across from McGonagle then just eluded Michael Owen Doherty in the six yards box. Cockhill replied when Shay McLaughlin beat his man and his superb cross was just missed by the inrushing Paul Duffy and Conor Graham. Then a neat one two between Duffy and Conor Allen saw the former denied by a superb Johnathan Noone save. From the resultant corner Noone again saved to deny Duffy. Illies opened the scoring before the interval after good interplay between Paul & Liam Doherty ended with Brendan Doherty shooting into the bottom corner from twelve yards. Cockhill started the second half well and equalised on 50 minutes when the ball broke to Bobby Bradley inside the area and he calmly lifted it over Noone to the net. Illies hit back with Michael Owen Doherty denied by a good save from Colhoun while at the other end Duffy raced onto a ball over the top but blazed over the bar. With the game looking to be heading for a share of the spoils an error in the home defence presented Sean McCallion with an opening and he made no mistake firing past Colhoun to clinch the points.
Hannon Greene Insurances Fr O Gara Cup
Cockhill Res 2
Rashenny Res 1
In a tight and competitive first half neither Cockhill’s keeper Darragh O’Donnell or Rashenny’s Roger McGilloway were called in to action with little in the way of goal mouth action. Cockhill broke the deadlock early in the second half after good work by Liam Bradley set up Kieran McIlroy who buried his shot from just inside the box low past Roger McGilloway to edge Cockhill in front. Rashenny stood firm and continued to frustrate Cockhill and almost equalised midway through the second half when Abdul Al Rasheed got in behind the Cockhill defence and his fierce shot looked in all the way but Cockhill keeper Darragh O’Donnell made a great fingertip save to deny Rashenny. Cockhill continued to press and edged further ahead with 10 minutes to go. After some good build up play Shane McLaughlin found space inside the box to set up PJ Doherty who made no mistake with a well taken first time shot in to the far corner giving Roger McGilloway no chance. Just as the game looked over Rashenny pulled one back with the last kick of the game as Abdul Al Rasheed was given too much time to pick his spot and scored with a fine low drilled effort in to the far corner. But the home side held firm to advance to the next round.
Rashenny FC 3
Illies Res 0
Rasheney took an early lead in the 9th minute when Tommy Doherty converted a penalty awarded after Conor McDaid was upended in the area. Illies responded with a Liam O’ Connor s long range effort well held by Damien Friel. The home side got on top for the remainder of the half then with Declan Mclaughlin seeing an effort from distance tipped over the bar by Graham Doherty. Rashenny increased their advantage before the break when Friel launched a ball from half way which the Illies defence failed to deal with allowing David McLaughlin to fire a rising cross shot past Doherty. Rashenny begam the second half well and McDaid fired wide when well placed before after a corner broke to Shane Skelly on the edge of the area he fired through a crowd of players but was unlucky to see his effort rebound off the post. Illies tried to get back into it and when Shane Devlin found space inside the area his effort was parried by Friel who recovered to gather at the second attempt. They went close again on 77 minutes after substitute Paddy Doherty beat Friel with a low shot but Skelly completed a superb goal line clearance. Rashenny finished strongly and David McLaughlins effort was turned round the post by Doherty. They added their third goal in injury time when Declan McLaughlin set up substitute Cormac Dillon who swivelled inside the area before drilling low past Doherty from twelve yards.
Carrowmena FC 0
Glengad Res 2
Glengad were on top in the opening half but for all their pressure they really failed to trouble Michael Noone in the home goal. Their best chance came in the 15th minute after Paul McGonagle broke on the right into the area but fired wide from twelve yards. Midway through the half the home side had a chance after a Ruairi Dougal header was turned round the post by Michael McLaughlin. Then before the break Carrowmena had another sight of goal after Niall Curran released Mark McGonigle whose left footed effort flashed wide. The home side had the first chance of the second period when Paul McGowan s cross found McGonigle whose low effort was well saved by McLaughlin. Glengad made the breakthrough in the 57th minute when Matthew Harleys low cross was sidefooted home by the inrushing Caolan McColgan. Carrowmena tried hard to get back on terms and on 75 minutes Dougal sidestepped a defender and when his effort was parried by Mclaughlin the loose ball fell to Andrew McLaughlin who fired wide from ten yards. With the home side pushing forward they were caught on the break after Harley advanced and his low cross was turned past Noone from close range by PJ McDaid to seal the tie.
Carn Res 2
Aileach Res 1
Daniel Dohertys Carn Res cause a huge shock when they dumped first division Aileach Res from the O Gara cup in bright sunshine at St Patricks Park. In a tightly contested affair it was Carn who started the brightest. Dayton Cooke was played through by Mark Scott but Aileach keeper Dylan Porter saved well from close range. Carn continued to press for the opener but were caught on the break when Anthony Doherty latched onto a long ball to race clear with Carn keeper Dan McDaid. Doherty struck his shot high into the right corner form 12 yards to give Aileach the lead on 25 minutes. Carn responded well and got back into the game thanks to a wonder goal from Daire Tully. Tullys initial shot was saved well by Porter and on the rebound he acrobatically over head kicked the ball into the roof of the net from 15 yards out. In the second half it was again Carn who began on the front foot. They were unlucky after a Dayton Cooke’s effort beat Porter but came back off the post. Aileach then had a great chance to take the lead and again it was Anthony Doherty who got in behind the Carn defence. This time his shot was well saved by Carn keeper Daniel McDaid. Eventually Carn would take the lead when Cormaic McLaughin finished after a good ball in from Daire Tully side footing the ball past Porter from 10 yards out. Aileach threw everything at Carn in the final ten minutes but the Carn defence stood strong to advance to the next round.
Sea Rovers 1
Carn FC 5
Ten minutes had past until the first chance came for Carns Kyron Cantwell forcing Rovers keeper Mark Mc Laughlin into making a fine save. The home side stunned the visitors midway through the half when from a throw in Keelan Doherty in midfield put the perfect pass through the Carn defence to Daniel Gallagher whose shot went low to the keepers left . Carn levelled it up before the half when Brandon Browne latched onto a long ball to shoot low past Rovers keeper Mark Mc Laughlin . The first division side whowed their calibre in the second half and after the home defence failed to clear a corner , the ball fell to Conor Doherty whose shot was deflected past Mclaughlin. Carn broke down the right wing and a cross in from Carns Brandon Browne found Cade Cooke on the six yard line who tapped to make it three one.Carn continued to press and a short pass to Ross Farren inside the area saw his shot beat the Rovers keeper . Rovers pressed hard but were caught on the counter attack when Cade Cooke beat the Rovers defence to make the final score five one to the visitors .
Dunree United 3
Greencastle Youths 0
There as a good tempo to this game with both teams pressing the other. Dunree had a couple of early chances when Mark Moran fired wide when well placed before the same player saw a shot tipped over by Evan Davenport. Greencastle replied and spurned a good opening in the 37th minute when Luke Bradley failed to get enough on a free header as the half ended scoreless. Greencastle had the first opportunity on the restart when a Kyle Harkin free deflected off the wall and Bradley was unlucky not to connect at the back post. Bradley had another chance for the visitors but was denied by a superb save from Adam Harrigan. Dunree responded and opened the scoring on the hour mark after good work from Adam Barrett on the right saw his low cross parried put by Davenport only for Sean McColgan to pounce and slot home. They increased their lead then on 68minutes after Bernie Doherty laid the ball off for Mark Moran to curl a superb effort to the top corner from the edge of the area. Dunree then made it three nil after Moran split the defence with a superb pass for Bernie Doherty to run onto and slide the ball past Davenport.
Gleneely Colts 0
Clonmany Res 2
Clonmany took the lead in the fifth minute after a good ball from Conor Doherty found Liam Hirrell you fired into roof of the net from eight yards. They went close again in the 14th minute after a snapshot from Steve Harkin from 25 yards hit the crossbar. Gleneely responded and great work by Paul Gamble up the right wing who cuts in but drags his shot wide. Oran Raymond in the home goal then produced two good saves to deny Steve Harkin from six yards and a Paul McLaughlin free kick. Gleneely had the first opportunity of the second half on the hour mark when Shay Harkin intercepted a pass in Clonmany defence and forced Tiernan Devine to make a great save from a shot from the edge of the box before John Harkin has another effort for Gleneely drift just wide. Clonmany replied when Raymond McDaid blazed over from 12 yards after been well placed to score. The visitors sealed the win in the 80th minute with Brian Doherty intercepting a pass after mix up in Gleneely defence and slotting past Raymond.
QPS 1
Redcastle United 2
The home side had the better of the early exchanges but the visitors were on top for the latter stages of the opening half. I the 5th minute Shea Lynch ‘s cross cum shot came off the post to Conor Barrow whose follow up effort was saved by Michael McCole in the visitors goal. But the visitors took the lead with their first threat in the 17th minute when Marc Bell burst through the point rear guard on the left and shot low past Conor O Neill from ten yards . They almost added another before the break when Kevin Dohertys cross found Joseph McCauley and he was unlucky to see his header come off the post. The home side started the second half the better and Stephen Harley had an early effort saved by McCole and from the corner David Healy headed over the bar. They got back on terms in the 52nd minute when Barrows cross found Mark Murray to head to the roof of the net past McCole from six yards. But the visitors regained the lead on the hour mark when a Jack McConalogue corner found the unmarked Cathal Crumlish at the back post and he headed powerfully past O’Neill. The point tried to get back on terms and when a Harley free was parried by McCole he recovered to save Jack McCleans follow up. At the other end O Neill done well to punch away Sean Curran s goal bound free. The home side threw everything forward in the closing stages and on 87 minutes Sean McIntyre fed McClean whose left footed effort was superbly saved by McCole.
Inish Engineering Division Two A
Culdaff Res 1
Moville Res 1
There was a frenetic opening to this game under the lights on Saturday evening on a crisp cold night. But clear chances were at a premium until the 22nd minute when a Ben Curley twenty five yards effort was superbly tipped over the bar by Stephen Teles in the Moville goal. Culdaff then took the lead before the break when Teles made a good save from a Michael Doran shot but Doran reacted first to slot the loose ball home. Moville upped the tempo on the restart and pinned the home side back for long periods. They deservedly got back on terms on 71 minutes after the home defence failed to clear allowing Danny Murphy to drill low past Dermot Callaghan from ten yards. In a sporadic foray into the Moville half Culdaffs Matthew McGoldrick almost snatched a winner but his twenty yard effort was brilliantly saved by substitute Ryan Coyle. Moville pressed hard in the final ten minutes but the home defence stood firm.
Inish Engineering Division Two B
Aileach Youths 3
Dunree Res 2
The visitors started this game well with firstly Ryan Toland and then David O Hagan failing to hit the target when well placed. Aileach responded and Kevin Wallace headed just wide following a corner. The visitors then opened the scoring when a Cian Moran corner deceived all defenders on its way to the net. Dunree had another good chance after O Hagan failed to hit the target when very well placed in front of goal. Aileach rallied and drew level before the break when Benny Hegarty combined with Jordan McGeady for the later to finish well low to the corner. The home side upped the tempo on the restart and took the lead on 55 minutes with a superb Daithi Grant finish from a Hegarty cross.They made it three one shortly after this when McGeady fed Kevin Boyle who rounded a defender and slotted low to the corner. Dunree battled back and reduced the deficit when Evan Barry hammered the ball to the roof of the net from the edge of the area. But the home side ended the game on top with a Dillon McGrory free coming off the bar and an Aaron Doherty effort going just wide.
Inish Grass Division Two Shield
QPS Youth 4
Redcastle Res 2
The home side dominated the opening half but failed to convert some decent chances. Cillian McEleney had a twenty five yards effort tipped over by Oisin Quigley in the 5th minute. They opened the scoring minutes later after Jason McCallion pounced on a loose ball to poke home from six yards. Cormac McColgan then took a good save from Quigley before at the other end Oisin O Kane broke clear only for home keeper Stephen Slattery to advance and smother at his feet. Redcastle equalised on 37 minutes when Shay Sweeney converted a penalty low to Slatterys left after a handball inside the area. The Point had the final chance of the half after Ronan Lafferty advanced and crossed from the right to Oisin McIntyre who sidestepped a defender but saw his effort saved by Quigley. The point started well on the resumption with McIntyre seeing an effort tipped round the post by Quigley before McCallion headed a McEleney cross wide. They increased their lead when Josh McLaughlin converted a penalty after he had been fouled firing low to the keepers left. Redcastle replied an a Sweeney free came off the bar before Conor Doherty s cross picked out Gordon Steele but his effort was well saved by Slattery.The home side increased the pressure again with McCallion denied by a good save from Quigley before Quigley then tipped a Sean Og Gallagher effort onto the bar . They made it three one when Adam Harkin released substitute Dean Hegarty who calmly scored with a side footed lob over the advancing Quigley. Hegarty turned provider in the 82nd minute when he sent Gallagher through and he fired low to the corner from fourteen yards to ease the home side into a four one lead. Redcastle got a consolation from another penalty when Doherty was fouled with Caolan Henry scoring from the spot.