Cockhill Celtic moved into their fifth Donegal News USL League Cup final in a row after a strong second-half against Fanad United.
Cockhill Celtic 5 Fanad United 2
At a rain-soaked Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds, Gavin Cullen’s side surged to victory against a Fanad side that had momentum pulled from their sails at half-time.
Davitt Walsh had leveled things up, after Gerry Gill’s deft opener early on for the home side, but with Fanad just starting to look as if they might get their noses in front, the half-time whistle allowed Cockhill to shake their heads clear.
The enforced withdrawal of Shaun McElwaine, the Fanad centre-back, right on the blow of the half-time whistle, rocked Fanad, who found themselves 3-1 down by the hour mark.
Ronan Doherty and Gerard McLaughlin netted to put the game beyond Fanad’s reach and penalties late in the game by Gerry Gill and substitute Conor Keddy put a gloss on it before John McGarvey bagged a late consolation for the visitors.
Fanad arrived in Inishowen on the back of a fine 2-1 win over Derry City Reserves on Thursday night that confirmed their advancement into this semi-final.
Cockhill hit the front after just four minutes and it was perhaps a moment that the dubious goals committee could be called in for. Ronan Doherty’s teasing cross was deflected past Shane Graham, the Fanad goalkeeper, by Gerry Gill, though it had initially been claimed that the ball had changed course having connected with a Fanad defender.
Gill mishit another shot from a Garbhan Friel pass, while he dragged narrowly wide after the impressive and lively Doherty made the incision.
Fanad United
Fanad came into the tie and Matthew Crossan teed up Marty McAteer, but the veteran midfielder was denied by player-manager Cullen.
Crossan had a go himself, but had too much elevation on a long-range attempt.
Gill curled a free-kick wide but the contest sprung to life when Cullen raced from his goal to stop Daire McDaid equalising after Seamus Friel’s free was headed back in by McElwaine.
Fanad got the goal their endeavours deserved as Crossan’s free was touched back to Walsh by Eunan Kelly. Walsh’s attempt was true and found the bottom corner.
Game on.
As they had done in the first half, Cockhill wasted little time in getting a goal in the second half and Doherty profited from a little good fortune, but he steered home and Cockhill were in front again.
On 59 minutes, it was 3-1 with the goal of the game. Doherty’s wonderful, curling cross was brilliantly headed past Graham by McLaughlin.
When Derek Doherty went to ground, referee Marty Quinn pointed to the spot and Gill stroked home.
It was a carbon copy soon after as Keddy won and then scored the penalty to put daylight in it and McGarvey’s 90th minute strike would prove a footnote to the tale as Cockhill reached a fifth successive final, having won the last four.
As they huddled afterwards, Cullen could be heard noting how his men had taken their feet from the gas.
The serial winners are ruthless – and, again, will take some stopping as they go in search of a treble haul of honours.
Cockhill Celtic: Gavin Cullen; Jason Breslin, Peter Doherty, Oisin McColgan, Christopher Duffy; Derek Doherty, Gerard McLaughlin, Ryan Varma, Ronan Doherty; Garbhan Friel, Gerry Gill. Subs: Conor Keddy for Friel (69), Mark Moran for R.Doherty (75), Darragh McDermott for Varma (84), James McGonagle for D.Doherty (84), Daniel Martin Doherty for Gill (85).
Fanad United: Shane Graham; Conor Blaney, Seamus ‘Coshia’ Friel, Shaun McElwaine, Oisin Langan; Marty McAteer, Matthew Crossan, Declan McGarvey, Daire McDaid; Davitt Walsh, Eunan Kelly. Subs: Keelin McElwaine for S.Elwaine (45), John McGarvey for D.McGarvey (65), Darren McElwaine for Walsh (85), Peter Curran for McAteer (85).
Referee: Marty Quinn.
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