THE fading Manorcunningham light meant that referee Joe McHugh put this gripping Brian McCormick Cup tie straight to penalties – and it was Lagan Harps who prevailed when the crunch arrived against the old foes from Drumoghill.
Lagan Harps 2 Drumoghill FC 2
Lagan Harps win 3-1 on penalties
The game had ebbed and flowed with Premier Division Drumoghill battling back from two-nil down as half-time substitute Marcus Oliver cancelled out first half strikes by Kevin Kelly and Darren Doran.
But when the lottery balls of the shoot-out were scrambled it was Lagan’s numbers that came out.
Veteran goalkeeper Damien McFadden saved from Gerard McGranaghan and Benny Bonner.
In between times, Chris Malseed netted, but it was advantage Lagan, for whom Mark Harkin, Kelly and Glenn Gallagher scored.
It was goalkeeper versus goalkeeper for the crucial eighth penalty and Paul McCauley’s attempt at a ‘Panenka’ went horribly wrong.
The Drumoghill number 1 saw his effort sail over McFadden’s crossbar and it was Keith Hegarty’s side who clinched advancement to a Letterkenny Area semi-final meeting with either Kilmacrennan or Bonagee – not to mention the local bragging rights, too.
When the sky was lighter, it was Lagan who had started the evening better and the hosts led 2-0 at the break.
They hit the front when Doran was clipped inside the area by McCauley as the pair raced for possession. McCauley escaped with a yellow card from the referee, but was beaten by Kelly’s precise penalty.
Little did they realise, but they’d be eyeball-to-eyeball from 12 yards again before the drama had come to a conclusion.
Lagan doubled their lead when Kelly’s superbly-flighted cross was headed home by Doran.
Michael Lynch, the Drumoghill manager, sent Oliver on at the interval and it proved an inspired change.
They were back in it when Oliver finished from eight yards after Chris Malseed’s header crashed off the crossbar.
It was the lifeline they needed and they drew level when Oliver volleyed into the bottom corner after Lagan could only partially clear their lines.
While last year’s Premier Division runners-up might have been expected to go on to win it, Lagan shook their heads clear and could have nicked it in normal time but Doran and Harkin were denied in one-on-ones.
With darkness descending, extra time wasn’t an option and it was down to penalties with Lagan holding their nerve.
Drumoghill FC: Paul McCauley; Ray Quinn, Benny Bonner, Christopher O’Donnell; Paddy Collins, Phillip Whyte, Chris Malseed, Gerard McGranaghan, Keith Malseed; Liam O’Donnell, Ethan McCready. Subs: Marcus Oliver for McCready, Carlos Rogers for K.Malseed.
Lagan Harps: Damien McFadden; Glenn Gallagher, Travis Crawford, Daniel Clarke, Conor Grant; Kevin Kelly, Gerard Hilley, Mark Harkin, Matrty Brogan;Â Darren Doran, Chris Toner. Sub: Phillip Doran for Brogan.
Referee: Joe McHugh.
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