The pairings for the various area finals in the Brian McCormick Cup were decided today as the semi-finals were played out.
Convoy Arsenal 5 Deele Harps 0
Convoy Arsenal scored four in the first half with Emmet Patterson finding the net and Anthony Bogle completing his hat trick before the half time whistle. Convoy continued to press in the second half with Fergus Carson getting the 5th goal towards the end of the match.
Milford United 3 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 2
Milford qualified for the area final with a hard fought win over Kerrykeel at Moyle View Park.
In a tense first half Milford created several chances but a lack of composure in front of goal proved costly when Kerrykeel took the lead after 29 minutes when Bernard McGettigan slotted home after poor defending from Milford.
Milford started the second half well and Rory O’Donnell and Kyle Black hit the woodwork before Gary Merritt got Milford’s equaliser on 58 minutes.
Milford took the lead on 65 minutes, once again through Merritt after a fine flowing move by the home side involving Black, Logue and Adam Serrinha.
Johnny Logue got what proved to be the winner on 80 minutes when he fired home from the edge of the box.
Kerrykeel pulled a goal back in the last minute of injury time from the penalty spot through Johnnie Friel.
Best for Milford were Anthony Hegarty, Johnny Logue and Rory O’ Donnell
Cathal Martin played well for the ’71
Glenea United 1 Cranford United 3 (after extra time)
In blustery conditions it was Cranford that eventually came out on top after extra time.
In a quiet first half, both sides found clear cut chances hard to come by and the game remained scoreless at half time.
In the second half, Cranford started well and on 50 minutes Keelan McGroddy force Shaun McClafferty into a fine save.
Cranford took the lead on 55 minutes when, after a foul in the box, Keelan McGroddy converted the penalty.
Glenea pushed hard for an equaliser and went close through efforts from Michael Barry and Sean Coll but Cranford always looked dangerous on the break and Keelan McGroddy was denied a second on a number of occasions by Shaun McClafferty and the post.
Glenea equalised on 80 minutes when the Cranford defence failed to deal with a long kick out and Michael Barry was on hand to drill home from the edge of the box to force extra time.
Cranford regained the lead on 94 minutes when Chris Carr’s deflected free kick found the corner of the net.
Glenea almost equalised but Michael Barry saw his close range effort clear the crossbar. Cranford extended their lead on 100 minutes when Chris Carr scored with a well hit free kick.
In the second half of extra time Glenea pushed for a goal but were unable to find one. Best for Glenea were Shaun McClafferty and Kyle McMullan, while Keelan McGroddy was threat throughout for Cranford.
Referee: Michael McFadden
Donegal Town 3 St. Catherine 0
Donegal Town booked their place in the Donegal Town Area Final of the Brian McCormick Cup with a convincing victory over St. Catherines at the Hospital Field.
After a largely uneventful first half the teams went in level at the break although the Town had a great chance from the spot but the effort was well saved by Catherine’s stopper Michael Mullen.
Donegal were much better in the second half and took the lead through James Kerrigan who tapped in from close range to finish off a good team move. Declan Brown whipped in a great ball which was headed home by David Graham to double the lead shortly afterwards.
The game was effectively over as a contest minutes later when quick thinking from Town ‘keeper John Leonard put Ronan McHugh through on goal.
McHugh beat his man well before selflessly squaring the ball to Graham who made no mistake from close range. Donegal had several chances to extend their lead with Graham, Gary Ward and McHugh all going close. Team performances from both sides.
Referee: Patrick Martin
Bonagee United 3 Whitestrand United 2
Click here to read Chris McNulty’s report from the match
Curragh Athletic 5 Raphoe Town 0
(No Report)
Kilmacrennan Celtic 2 Keadue Rovers 3
(No Report)
Ballybofey United 1 Cappry Rovers 1
(Ballybofey United won 4-2 on Penalties)
