Culdaff turned on the style yesterday evening to defeat Aileach FC and land the Charlie O’Donnell Memorial Cup at Maginn Park.
Culdaff FC 4 Aileach FC 1
Culdaff led 2-0 at half-time, with goals by Paul McLaughlin and Dermot Diver.
The opening period was a lively end to end affair with both teams intent on attacking the opposition at every opportunity.
Culdaff had an early chance when Brian McCandless broke in the box and forced a good save from John Roulstone with his feet.
Aileach had a great chance in the 21th minute when Gavin Doherty’s super through ball put Keith McColgan clear but the youngster couldn’t keep his shot down and blazed over the bar.
Five minutes later Culdaff took the lead, Eugene’s McLaughlin’s cross was flicked on by Michael Coyle ahead of keeper ‘Roulstone and Paul McLaughlin headed home at the far post.
It should have been 2-0 six minutes later when Brian McCandless did well to beat Damien Barr to set up Eugene McLaughlin but he blasted over from 16 yards.
Four minutes later it was 2-0, Culdaff won a corner on the right, Darren Mullarkey inswinger wasn’t dealt with and Dermot Diver forced in over the line at the far post.
Three minutes into the second-half Culdaff almost got a third when Paul Mc Laughlin’s excellent cross found Eugene Mc Laughlin at the far post but he shot just wide from a great position.
However two goals in eight minutes ended this game as a contest. In the 62nd minute Michael Coyle did brilliantly on the right and his super cross left Brian Mc Candless with a simple tap-in from four yards and eight minutes later Coyle again did the good work to get behind the defence and when his shot was blocked by a defender it fell to Eugene McLaughlin who slotted home from 6 yards.
Aileach pulled one back in the 73rd minute when Culdaff defender turned the ball into his own net under pressure close to goal.
Aileach hit the crossbar a couple of times but Mickey Barr and his assistant Paddy Slevin last game in charge ended in defeat as Culdaff held on comfortably to take the Cup.
Ail each: John Roulstone, Dermot Doherty, Darren McMonagle, Damien Barr, Cathal Mc lhinney, Tommy Mackin (Darren Gallagher 65), Keith McColgan (Steven McKendrie 51), Gavin Doherty, Caomhghin McFeely (Conor Bradley 58), Jordan McGeady (James Wallace 84), Anthony Doherty.
Culdaff: Darragh McLaughlin, Dermot Diver (Niall McLaughlin 90), Â Darren Mullarkey, Ryan Greene, John Joe Doherty, Conner Farren (Aiden Cunningham 87), Paul McLaughlin, Dillon Ruddy, Michael Coyle (Paul Mills 90), Brian McCandless (John Mc Feely 80), Eugene McLaughlin ( Martin Keddy 80).
Referee: Danny Mc Laughlin.
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