Greencastle FC 3
Aileach FC 4
In an entertaining game Aileach started the better and went ahead on 2 minutes when a low cross from the left by Dermot Doherty found Anthony Doherty to side foot home from close range. At the other end Ronan Doherty had an effort well saved by John Roulstone but on 7 minutes Anthony Doherty fired home his second of the game after a scramble in the area. Dermot Doherty then intercepted a back pass and rounded O’Doherty but from a tight angle fired into the side netting. Greencastle rallied with Ronan Doherty seeing a shot saved, Matthew Henry firing over, Doherty denied by a Conor Bradley tackle before Mark Henry advanced and fed Michael Henry but he blazed over. On 38 minutes Michael Barr played a neat one two with Shaun Doherty before being upended in the area allowing Ronan Doherty to calmly slot home the spot kick. Aileach hit back and Gavin Doherty had an effort well saved while before the break Gavin Harkin found Joe Doherty but the striker was unable to hit the target. Aileach began the second period smartly with both Dermot Doherty and Stephen McKendrie seeing efforts well saved by O’Doherty. But the home side equalised on 55 minutes when a Matthew Henry low cross was poked home by Joe Doherty. They continued to press with Shaun Doherty and Mark Henry firing over but were dealt a severe blow on 79 minutes after Shaun Doherty was red carded for a second caution. Aileach exerted full retribution from the free when O’Doherty punched clear but only as far as Dermot Doherty who slotted home first time. Greencastle poured forward and when substitute Chris Hegarty was tripped inside the area Ronan Doherty converted his second penalty of the game to make it three all. But the home side were caught pouring forward and paid the price when Gavin Doherty curled a superb effort in off the underside of the bar from fifteen yards to secure the points.
Greencastle Res 3
Redcastle Res 1
The home side threatened in the opening minutes when John Mc Dermott broke along the right but his shot from the edge of the box was blocked. At the other end Kyle Mc Colgan pushed forward through the middle but his parting shot was just wide of the post. Mid way through the half Greencastle took the lead when Pauric Gillen laid the ball back to Daniel Rowan whose first time unstoppable shot from outside the area gave Ryan Mc Cole no chance. The same combination saw Rowan shoot wide when well placed. Gillen then had a good chance to increase the lead but the keeper prevailed in a one on one situation. The visitors Mickey Mc Colgan saw his free blocked by Christy Hegarty in the wall before Stephen Davenport was just wide from 20 yards. At the end of the half Rowan played Mc Dermott into the box but his shot hit the outside of a post. Early in the second half good approach play involving Rowan and Mc Dermott created an opportunity for John Hegarty but his shot was saved. On the hour mark the visitors equalised when the ball was played in to Darren Harkin and he slotted home for 1 – 1. Five minutes later Greencastle regained the lead when Christy Hegarty managed to evade a number of tackles before getting to the byeline and crossing for the inrushing sub – Cathal Mc Laughlin to drive home from eight yards. And Mc Laughlin’s persistence paid off when he was brought down by the keeper – allowing Mike Price to score from the spot. Redcastle continued to exert pressure but the home rearguard including Price, Brenda Mc Dermott and young keeper Pauric Carey Doherty ensured that there was to be no further scoring.
The home side got a great start when James Curran headed home a James Henry corner from six yards after 15 minutes. On the half hour Michael Henry played a neat one two with Joe Doherty before slotting low past Philip O Doherty from the edge of the area. On 40 minutes Henry crossed for Ronan Doherty to finish well from the edge of the six yards area. In the second period Dunree ralied and got a goal back when Philip McGuinness crossed for James O Donnell to head home from seven yards. But Greencastle responded and made it four one when Matthy Henry despatched a great effort to the bottom corner from twenty yards.