Ulster Junior Cup Final

Cavan Town            0

Aileach FC                4

This delayed Ulster Junior cup final pitted the same teams as when Aileach lifted their first Ulster Junior Cup a couple of seasons ago. Played in Gortakeegan ,

Monaghan this covid delayed game was barely 5 minutes old when Aileach struck for the opening goal. Good work down the Aileach right resulted in Gavin Doherty playing in Darren McMonagle whose cross shot was latched on to by Dermot Doherty who turned the ball home past Gary O’Rourke from six  yards. Cavan Town responded well and forced a series of corners the last of which fell to Callum Lynch but his curling effort just cleared the angle of Kyle Dougal’s post and crossbar. Cavan continued to press and always looked dangerous but when Aileach got forward they caused the town defence problems. On 11 minutes one of those forays forward resulted in Aileach doubling their lead. Centre half Cathal McElhinney strode out of defence and played an inch perfect pass for the run of Aaron Nash and the big centre forward calmly rounded the keeper before finishing to the empty net. Cavan should have pulled a goal back midway through the half when a free kick was taken quickly and rolled to the edge of the box where Brian Dolan fired goalwards Dougal did well to parry the effort but Packie Sheridan following up saw his diving header go the wrong side of the post. Within minutes  Aileach stretched their lead further after Shane McMonagle found the overlapping Dermot Doherty whose low cross just evaded Darren McMonagle at the near post which deceived the goalkeeper and Nash was on hand to finish at the back post from close range. Aileach made it four  before the interval when Aaron Nash completed his hat trick when Gavin Doherty played a through ball to the centre forward wide on the right and he cut inside and as the keeper advanced he fired home from the narrowest of angles.The second half was fairly predictable affair with Cavan having to push to try and get back into it and Aileach counter attacking at every opportunity. Cathal McElhinney and Dean Curran were solid in defence for Aileach with the experienced Thomas McMonagle providing a calming influence in front of the back four the Inishowen side were able to thwart most of Cavans best attempts. They were unlucky on 65 minutes when a left wing cross  was headed goalwards by Callum Lynch but his effort came back of the bar. Aileach were wasteful on the break with both Aaron Nash and Darren McMonagle spurning great chances to add to their tally.  On another day this could have been a lot closer but for the clinical finishing of Aaron Nash in the first half but in truth the Inishowen side were good value for their win.