There were wins for Illies Celtic, Greencastle, Aileach and Buncrana Hearts in the Inishowen Football League this weekend, with plenty of goals recorded across a busy weekend.
Illies Celtic 1-0 Clonmany
Illies Celtic ran out 1-0 winners in their league game against Clonmany through a Paddy Doherty penalty kick.
Played in windy conditions – Illies first chance fell to Liam Grant who blazed over, then Clonmany’s Brendan Devlin headed narrowly wide a few minutes later – it was a difficult game for both teams.
Paddy Doherty swooped a low cross for Liam Grant but he shot weakly at Paddy Harkin in the Clonmany goal.
Illies had a great chance at the start of the second half, Domenick Doherty broke and found Paddy Doherty but his shot was brilliantly blocked by Harkin – the rebound falling to Liam Doherty who should have scored.
The deadlock was broken when Paddy Doherty was upended in the box. He tucked the spot-kick low past Paddy Harkin.
Clonmany pressed hard for the equaliser – Jonathan Noone tipping two efforts over the bar and a Jason Devlin free-kick travelled narrowly over, Illies holding on for three valuable points.
Greencastle 5-2 Carn
Greencastle came from behind twice to see off a gallant Carn side whose first-half dominance should have resulted in more goals.
Carn’s Conor Mc Laughlin produced a fine save from Dillion Doherty in the home goal on the second minute. Nigel mc Monagle was fouled and Eamon Donnelly’s free-kick was subsequently cleared.
Carn was well on top and Ryan Kelly found Shane Doherty, his effort sailing just wide of the right-hand post.
However, their dominance paid off halfway through the first half, Darragh Deery getting on the end of a cross to slot home from six yards.
Nigel McMonagle then put in a good cross for the home side that found no takers – Shaun Doherty forcing a fine save from Seamus Houghton in the Carn’s goal minutes later.
McMonagle then shot wide, and from a Carn free Mick O’ Donnell’s header was cleared off the line by Mark Henry.
Greencastle pulled one back through Doherty, getting on the end of a Stephen Grant to tuck the equaliser home.
Carn restored their lead a few minutes later when Darragh Deery tucked a fine cross past Doherty.
Greencastle gathered some momentum late on and produced a masterclass in goal scoring, putting Carn to the sword.
D.J. Canavan rose at the back post to leave the Carn goalkeeper with no chance, Mc Monagle steered Grants cross home in the final ten minutes.
It was 4-2 after 86 minutes, Michael Henry scoring from the rebound after Mc Monagle found his effort blocked.
In added time, Grant produced another assist – providing for Mc Monagle to add goal number five.
Aileach FC 3-1 Glengad Utd
This game between last season’s top two sides was eagerly anticipated – but in truth, neither side bore much resemblance to the teams that finished last year in scintillating form.
Aileach started the better and were ahead inside 10 minutes when Darren McMonagle cut in from the left and unleashed a fierce drive from 20-yards, which beat Christopher McLaughlin high to the keepers right.
Aileach were two ahead after five minutes – the same player broke into the box and slid the ball past the advancing McLaughlin.
Glengad struggled to get a foothold in the game, eventually settling into the game and began to control possession and on the half-hour mark, they got their reward when Terence Doherty did well to hold off two defenders before toe-poking the ball past Peter Devlin.
With half-time approaching Aileach restored their two-goal cushion when Anthony Doherty raced down the right and crossed low for Caoimhghin McFeeley to slide the ball past McLaughlin from inside the six-yard box.
Glengad began the second half on the front foot and when the ball found John G.McDermott on the right side of the Aileach box, Devlin did well get a strong hand to his well-struck shot.
Glengad took real charge with Aileach unable to maintain possession. A good move down the left side resulted in Dylan Ruddy getting possession 25 yards out.
He worked himself into a good position and was unlucky to see his right-footed effort just clear the angle of the crossbar, Devlin pulling of a spectacular stoppage.
Glengad continued to boss possession but with Aileach defending deep they struggled to unduly trouble
Devlin in the Aileach goal.
With five minutes left, the ever-dangerous Terence Doherty unleashed a stinging drive which Devlin managed to parry, eventually being cleared by Paddy Slevin. Aileach saw the remainder of the game out for an important three points.
Redcastle United 2-6 Buncrana Hearts
In other results, Buncrana Hearts won 6-2 against Redcastle United on the road.
A full match report will be available as soon as possible.
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