Greencastle FC made the long trip to Traigh-a-Loch and came away with a place in the quarter finals of the Knockalla Caravans Cup after a 2-1 victory over Fanad United.
Fanad United 1 Greencastle FC 2
The game was played in a gale force wind which done neither team any favours. Greencastle played with the aid of the wind in the first half and dominated possession.
Ten minutes into the game, referee Vincent McLaughlin was forced to take the players from the field for 10 minutes due to lightening overhead.
When play resumed Greencastle continued to press without creating any clear cut chances. In the 25th minute, Eamon Donnelly hit a speculative shot from 20 yards which was easily saved by Sean McCafferty.
Ten minutes later Dean McCarry flicked on a Paul Bradley free kick to Caolan Kelly, who’s shot was deflected over the Greencastle bar.
Two minutes later, full back Gavin Harkin made a surging run into the Fanad box but his dangerous cross was cleared by Ryan McFadden.
In the 40th minute Sean McCafferty in the Fanad nets made a fine double save to deny Christy Hegarty and Matty Henry.
The clearest chance of the half fell to Jamie McCormick when he pounced on a poor clearance from McCafferty only to shoot straight at the keeper.
Fanad played with the aid of the wind in the second half and had more possession. They did have the ball in the net in the 51st minute, but Marty McAteer was harshly ruled offside.
Just after the hour mark Greencastle took the lead.
A ball from the right by Christy Hegarty was met by Nigel McGonagle who fired into the net.
The lead lasted five minutes as Fanad struck back. A free from Paul Bradley was flicked on by Caolan Kelly to Seamus Friel who headed into the net at the second attempt.
With 15 remaining, McGonagle missed a clear chance to put Greencastle ahead when he rounded McCafferty but pulled his shot wide.
Greencastle did get the winner with three minutes remaining when Matty Henry found space in the box and fired high into the net.
Fanad United: Sean McCafferty, Peter Curran, Paul Bradley, Seamus Friel, Patrick McGinley, Marty McAteer, Ciaran Sharkey, Dean McCarry, Jason Collins, Caolan Kelly, Ryan McFadden. Subs used: Edward O’Reilly, Rowan Duffy
Greencastle: Dylan Doherty, Gavin Harkin, Ciaran Moore, Mark Henry, DJ Canavan, Eamon Donnelly, Jamie McCormick, James Henry, Nigel McGonagle, Matty Henry, Christy Hegarty
Referee: Vincent McLaughlin
