THE INISHOWEN LEAGUE completed the group stages of the Oscar Traynor Trophy with a 1-1 draw away to the Cavan-Monaghan league last night.
Cavan-Monaghan League 1-1 Inishowen League
Report courtesy of Inishowen League
Diarmuid O’Brien’s team played at the John Sherlock Park in Cootehill, Co Cavan to remain unbeaten in the competition, played on a full sized Astro pitch under lights.
Inishowen made six changes to their starting XI from the team that beat Donegal two weeks ago.
The home side had the first effort on goal when Stevie O’ Connor hit a long range effort which was wide of Darragh McLaughlin’s net.
Inishowen replied when Michael Devlin mead a run on the left and cut inside the area but the home side cleared the danger.
David Mc Entee then tested McLaughlin in the Inishowen net but the Culdaff keeper gathered safely.
Cavan/Monaghan took the lead on 18 minutes when Enda Hessian hit a 40-yard effort over McLaughlin and into the net.
Inishowen equalised on 30 minutes when by Ryan Doherty to pick out Michael Devlin and he squared for Mathew Henry to shoot low past Jamie Smith in the home net.
Declan McGonagle had a shot turned away by Smith, then from a corner Ryan Doherty had a header cleared off the line by Dean Connolly, to leave the team level at the break.
Dean Connolly fired a shot over the bar for the home side before Inishowen stepped up the pressure the introduction of Jason Devlin and Terence Doherty for Declan Mc Gonagle and Michael Devlin saw Inishowen create a host of chances.
From a Jason Devlin corner Stephen McHugh shot wide from six yards with the goal at his mercy, then McHugh curled a 20 yard shot just over.
Jason Devlin had an effort from the edge of the area gathered by Smith at the second attempt and a Ryan Doherty effort took a deflection and keeper Smith did well to palm it away from under the crossbar.
Cavan/Monaghan hit back and Ronan Spratt shot over for the home side as Inishowen drove forward in search of a winner with Patrick Mc Dermott shooting wide and a McHugh corner was meet by the head of John Gerard Mc Laughlin but Smith gathered safely.
Terence Doherty then fed McHugh and his effort rebounded off the upright to Gavin Doherty his shot was blocked on the line it fell to Terence Doherty and his effort was cleared by Smith.
One downside for the defending champions was the sending off of Terence Doherty for two yellow cards. With seven points from nine, Inishowen are in the draw for the last 12 on Tuesday week.
Cavan/ Monaghan: Jamie Smith, Diarmuid Conaty, Paddy Smith, Enda Hessian, John Mc Aree, Dean Connolly, Ronan Spratt, David Mc Antee, Stevie O’ Connor, Gary Hessian, Mark Mulligan. Subs: Corey Smith, Dean Smith, Jimmy Fallon
Inishowen: Darragh Mc Laughlin, John Gerard McLaughlin, Ryan Doherty, Oisin McColgan, William McLaughlin, Paddy Doherty, Declan McGonagle, Mathew Henry, Michael Devlin, Patrick McDermott, Gavin Doherty, Subs: Nigel McMonagle, Terence Doherty, Jason Devlin, Paddy Harkin, Stephen McHugh
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