Inishowen: Action in Charlie O’Donnell Cup, FAI Junior Cup and League

THERE WAS PLENTY for the footballing aficionados in Inishowen to sink their teeth into over the last seven days.

Charlie O’Donnell Memorial Cup

Rasheney FC 4-3 Dunree United

A game of two halves with all the excitement and goalscoring coming in the first half with the action toned down after the break.

The first goal came when Tyler McBride hooked home in a crowded goalmouth. After the visitors survived a penalty claim when McBride went tumbling in the area and McLaughlin just failed to get the ball round Doherty in a one on one situation action moved to the other end where Kevin McColgan had a shot blocked before Henry Connolly found the net from 14 yards with a deflected shot.

Just 11 minutes in –  Rasheney regained the lead when McLaughlin latched onto a Devine pass and lobbed Doherty from outside the box. 

Half way through the half Rasheney extended their lead. Mc Laughlin accepted a forward pass from Jimmy Mc Conologue, ran at the visiting defence and drilled a low ground shot to the net from 25 yards. A few minutes later a Philip Mc Guinness cross from the left was touched home by Baldrick from six  yards. 

With the interval approaching Devine broke up a Dunree attack and set up Mc Laughlin who completed his hat trick with a delightful chip from almost thirty yards out.

Close to the interval Farrell’s delivery from the right wing was blocked inside the area with the ball falling to Daryl Moran who drove to the home net for 4-3 and right on the whistle Mc Gilloway had to claw the ball away following another Moran attempt. While there was to be no further scoring in the second half chances were created at both ends.

For the home side McLaughlin saw an attempted chip just off target while Ben Lafferty’s excellent run from his own half was ended by Doherty’s intervention. Dunree’s substitute Thomas Doherty failed to trouble Mc Gilloway with two headed efforts and in a frantic finish Mc Colgan was out of luck when his sweetly struck drive from thirty yards came off the base of a post.

 

Charlie O’Donnell Memorial Cup

Glengad United 5-4 Aileach FC

Glengad came through against Aileach FC in a brilliant, entertaining game.

Read our match report here.

QPS 4-0 Redcastle United

Two goals in the final five minutes put a bit of a gloss on the scoreline as Redcastle battled hard throughout against their Premier Division neighbours.

The point dominated the opening period but had to wait until the 24th minute for their first chance when Odhran McColgan fired across goal and wide. Chris O’Donnell then had a 25 yards effort saved by Ryan McCole before McCole blocked with his legs to deny Ultan McCool as he broke clear.

On the stroke of halftime McColgan raced onto a ball over the top but McCole smothered well. The point broke the deadlock on 51minutes when a short corner was played to Kevin McLaughlin whose cross was flicked home by a backward header from Odhran McColgan.

Redcastle replied with Thomas McDermott firing a 25-yard free just over the bar before Colm McLaughlin saw another free tipped over the bar by Conor McColgan. The point replied and increased their lead when Denim McLaughlin despatched a twenty five yards free to the bottom corner. Redcastle again hit back and Aiden McLaughlin and Stephen McLaughlin both went close with good efforts.

The point finished strongly and on 86 minutes Stephen Grant advanced on the left and his cross was stabbed home by McColgan. They added a fourth in the final minute when an Oisin McCool corner was forced home at the back post by substitute Kevin Wallace.

FAI Junior Cup 

Greencastle  FC 2-1 Erne Wanderers

It was all Greencastle in the opening half with Danny Murphy denied by a superb tackle from Cian Dolan before James Curran had a well struck effort saved by Peter Boyle.

On 20 minutes Ciaran Moore fed Matthew Henry whose effort was well parried by Boyle but Ronan Doherty fired the rebound wide. Doherty made no mistake minutes later when he ran onto a long ball from Moore to outpace the defence and slot low past Boyle.

Within a minute Gerry Gill split the visitors defence to send Doherty clear and he made it two in as many minutes. Wanderers had a good chance before the interval when David Dorrian found space but fired wide from sixteen yards. Greencastle started well on the resumption when Doherty and Matthew Henry bot had efforts well saved by Boyle before Enda Faulkner headed wide.

Barry Mulligan fired wide for the visitors before they got a consolation on 83 minutes when Mulligan headed home a Philip Patton cross.

Glengad United 6-0 Raphoe Town

Glengad dominated for long periods and took an early lead when Seamus Doherty fed Nigel McMonagle who crossed for Terence Doherty to slot home.

On the half hour McMonagle fed Patrick McDermott but his effort was saved by Roy Duffs. Raphoe hit back and a quick free by Stephen Canagh found Chris O’Neill and his first time effort crashed off the post. Just before half time both McMonagle and Doherty were denied by good saves from Duffs.

In the opening minute of the second half a brilliant Stephen McLaughlin run took him past four players before he squared for McDermott to slot home from eight yards. Raphoe hopes were not helped by a red card to Seamus Boyle for two cautions and Glengad took full advantage. McDermott set up Terence Doherty to blast high past Duffs before McMonagle cut in from the left and fired low to the corner.

Two goals by Matthew Byrne in the final eight minutes sealed the win with the first a volley from McLaughlin’s cross and the second a neat finish after Seamus Doherty sent him clear through the middle.

Kildrum  Tigers 2-0 Carrowmena FC

Carrowmena battled bravely throughout but in truth Kildrum had them on the back foot for long periods.

In the first half Carrowmena defended well restricting the home side to long range efforts which failed to trouble Kyle Dougal.For their part Kevin Toner twice went close in the opening half with half chances.

The home side got a dream start to the second period when in the 46th minute Damien Crossan poked home in a scramble after a corner. They continued to press but spurned a few chances before sealing the tie on 83 minutes when substitute Damian Keyes fired a cross  shot high past Dougal  to send Kildrum into the next round.

Jackie Crossan Premier Division  

Aileach FC 2-1 Illies Celtic

Aileach started the game well and on 10 minutes broke the deadlock when Stephen Doherty and Thomas Mcmackin combined for the latter’s effort to be parried by Johnathan Noone and Dermot Doherty followed up to sot home.

Midway through the half they made it two nil when McMonagle crossed for McMackin to slot home from eight yards. Illies spurned two good chances before the break when firstly the unmarked Paddy Doherty looped a header over the bar before the same player got on the end of a Shane Devlin cross but saw his effort blocked by David McGeady.

The got a deserved goal back on 51 minutes when Martin Coyle fireda superb twenty five yards effort high past McGeady. Illies were on top and forced a number of corners but failed to create any clear chances. Somewhat against the run of play Aileach broke and when James Gillespie  hooked the ball into the box McMonagle looped a header over Noone and they saw out the remainder of the game comfortably.

Moville Celtic 4-1 Culdaff FC

Moville began well with Ciaran Diver heading over before the same player fired just wide.

They took the lead on 16 minutes when Diver flicked the ball on for Conor Doherty who found Josh Lafferty and he fired a brilliant twenty five yards effort high to the net. Midway through the half Culdaff levelled when after the home defence failed to clear Declan McLaughlin drove low to the corner.

Ciaran Diver then had a shot crash off the post before Conor Lafferty was twice narrowly off target before Josh Lafferty had a shot saved by Darragh McLaughlin.Culdaff replied before the break when McGuinness advanced to smother at the feet of Mclaughlin and Michael Coyle flashed a first time 40 yards volley just wide.The second half was an even affair with Conor Doherty firing narrowly wide.

Then on the hour mark with Culdaff appealing in vain for offside Diver raced clear to slot low past McLaughlin. Diver was narrowly wide with a half volley, substitute Harry McCormick sidefooted over before Keys had a header tipped over byMcLaughlin.

Culdaff tried to get back into it but Crampsey as denied by a superb tackle before Dermot Diver mickicked when well placed.On 88 minutes substitute Christy Smith fired over when it looked esier to score  and at the other end Dillon Ruddy was denied by a brilliant point blank save from McGuinness. With Culdaff throwing everyone forward Moville broke and Jack Keys scored from all  of 50 yards before McCormick sent Smith clear and he rounded McLaughlin to make it four in injury time.

Buncrana Hearts 1-3 Clonmany Shamrocks 

The opening exchanges in this match indicated that this was going to be a very entertaining match as both teams went on the attack.

A Steven Harkin header went just wide on two minutes and three minutes later Stephen Mc Hugh, for Buncrana, found the back of the net only for it to be disallowed. Then on seven minutes Hearts’ keeper Mc Laughlin could only parry Harkin’s long range effort and it fell to Mark Mc Laughlin who scored from close range.

Five minutes later Mc Hugh came close to equalizing, while Jason Devlin came close to extending Clonmany’s lead. Then James Mc Gonagle’s had an opportunity to score for Hearts before on  twenty minutes Liam Hirrell after a mix up in the Hearts’ defence scored Clonmany’s second.  

Almost immediately Mc Gonagle scored giving Harkin no chance from twenty yards. And so this end to end pattern of play continued and just before the break Mc Laughlin got his second of the match.

Although Hearts dominated the second half they could not convert this into scores, though Kevin O’Loughlin did come close on two occasions, the first time his shot was well saved by Harkin and the second time he pulled his shot wide with his weaker left foot. Clonmany did create a few chances but only troubled Hearts’ keeper Mc Laughlin once and so this very entertaining game ended with Clonmany winning  three one.

Strand Hotel First Division

Redcastle United 1-6 Dunree United

The visitors when ahead on 13 minutes when Liam Baldrick collected a throw in and setup Philip Mc Guinness,who picked his spot from 12 yards.

Dunree continued to press and Oisin O’flaherty and McGuinness were both denied by Ryan Mc Cole saves. They increased their lead, when Sean Doherty side footed a McGuinness cross to the net. Doherty got his second as half time approached, when a misplaced pass, allowed him to  advance and poke the ball past Mc Cole for a three goal half time lead.  

Dunree continued where they left off in the second half as Mc Guinness cut in from the left and slotted past the home keeper.  Redcastle tried to up the tempo through Stephen McLaughlin, who tested Phillip Doherty with a snapshot that he easily dealt with.  

Minutes later it was five one when Gerry Farrell crossed from the right, for Doherty to get his third of the day. Redcastle got a goal back when Kevin Doran and Brendan Murphy combined to set up Greg Breslin, to shoot low past Doherty.  

Redcastle then applied some pressure and Colm McLaughlin and Joe Mc Cauley had shots blocked down, by the away defence. Dunree had the last say however,  when Farrell picked out O’ Flaherty  to complete the rout.

Rasheney FC 1-4 Cockhill Celtic Youths

Cockhill got off to a great start in the eigth minute when Sean P Fullerton floated a ball in for Andy McEleney to glance a header past Roger McGilloway in the home goal.

Rasheney replied with Damien Friel’s free kick well held by Declan Caldwell. At the other end Joe Doherty twice went close firing firstly into the side netting before then shooting just over both from the edge of the area.

On 38 minutes Doherty then fed Martin Bradley who looked certain to score but McGilloway somehow got out to smother.Rasheney almost equalised on the stroke of half time when Peter Doherty set up ben Lafferty who cut inside but blazed way over the top when well placed.

Cockhill had the first threat on the restart with Michael Gallagher’s long range free held by  McGilloway. Rasheney hot back and got on terms on 57 minutes when a Damien Friel free found  Lafferty whose header took a deflection off a defender past Caldwell.

Lafferty then broke clear of the visitors defence but a defender got back to save the day. Cockhill retookthe lead on 72 minutes after a deep corner by James O Donnell was headed home by Michael Noone. Within a minute they added another after Anthony McEleney’s header as adjudged to have crossed the line despite the best efforts of Sean Friel.

They sealed the points on 78 minutes when O Donnell fed Bradley on the right and his low cross was touched home at the back post by O’Donnell.

Donegal Signs Reserve League Shield                

Rasheney  Res 3-4 Carrowmena Res

In good conditions the home side had the first chance on 11 minutes when James Griffin advanced and flashed a dangerous ball across the face of goal but there were no takers.

Carrowmena responded and a Ryan McDermott shot on the run just dipped over the bar. Midway through the half Griffin fed Eoin Sweeney but keeper Michael Noone advanced to smother. Carrowmena then took the lead on 28 minutes when a James McDermott cross from the right was volleyed back across keeper Roger McGilloway by  Oran McDermott from 12 yards.

But Rasheney hit back within minutes and equalised when Griffin threaded a fine pass into Sweeney who got between defenders before sliding the ball past the advancing Noone and in off the post. 

Rasheney replied and on 58 minutes Sweeney beat the advancing None to the ball but it ran over the end line before he could get a shot away.Minutes later Carrowmena increased their lead when Mark Doherty beat two defenders and crossed for Oran McDermott to volley past McGilloway.

Rasheney suffered a blow then when Sweeney was red carded for a second yellow card but they got a goal back on 71 minutes when Brendan Grant pounced on a poor clearance turned and fired a superb shot to the bottom corner from 16 yards. But Carrowmena increased their lead  again on 78 minuteswhen Mark Doherty intercepted in midfield and raced through to slot low past McGilloway. Oran McDermott then fired wildly wide when well placed before Rasheney got another back after a Fergal Doherty header was punched from beneath the bar by Noone but Grant rifled home from eight yards to make it four three. 

Culdaff  Res 4-4 Moville Res 4

This was a highly entertaining game played on Saturday night under floodlights.

Moville started the stronger but it was Culdaff who took the lead in the fourth minute. After good play from midfield found Dale Hutchison out on the left and his shot found the roof of the net from about 20 yards.

Moville continued to press and were dangerous on the break. They equalised on 19 minutes when Pauric Parkinson found the net from six yards after a cross from the right wing. They took the lead midway through the half when Kevin McDermott volley home from six yards after another cross from the right wing.

They then  increased their lead on 33 minutes when a shot from 20 yards from Christy Mc Geoghan found the back of the net. Culdaff pulled a goal back on 36 minutes when following a ball over the Moville defence, Declan McLaughlin volleyed to the top corner from the edge of the area. The same player was unlucky notto equalise a few minutes later but his effort struck the post.

On the 42nd minute Moville restored their two goal advantage when Kevin Mc Dermott headed home a corner from the right. Culdaff started the second half the stronger and pulled a goal back on 48 minutes when  a shot from the left wing from Dale Hutchison found the top right hand corner of the Moville net.

Both teams had chances with Moville hitting the crossbar midway through the second half. Second half substitute for Culdaff, Paul Mc Laughlin was a threat down the right hand side and was unlucky with a few shots going narrowly wide. Culdaff got a deserved equaliser on 83 minutes when a Derek Doherty corner from the right rebounded off a Moville defender and ended up in the back of the net.

QPS Res 2-2 Sea Rovers

Rovers got a flying start to this game and took the lead on six minutes when William Logan fired a free kick to the top corner from the edge of the area past Conor McColgan.

They increased their lead then when another Logan free kick came back off the post and Graham Morgan was on hand to slot home the rebound. The home side replied when Paul Grant released Josh McConalogue and his effort crashed back off the post.

They got a goal back before the break when after a period of sustained pressure Grants effort deflected off a defender and into the path of Joe Johnstone who fired home from six yards. Rovers had the first threat of the second period when Keelan Doherty broke on the right and crossed for Kevin Harkin but his effort was blocked by McColgan.

The point replied on the hour mark with Johnstone feeding Fergal Buchanan but he fired wide from the edge of the area. The home side salvaged a point in the 77th minute when a ball broke to Chris O’Donnell thirty yards out and he fired a stunning effort to the top corner.

Aileach Res 7-0 Redcastle Res

Aileach dominated this game from the start and took the lead on nine minutes when Dermot McGlynn released Ruairi Bradley to fire low past Ryan McCole.

Minutes later they doubled their lead when James Wallace converted  a penalty awarded after Jordan McGeady had been upended.Good work midway through the half by Conor Bradley saw him release brother Ruairi and he finished well to make it three nil. Just before the break Thomas McMackin fed his brother Conor and he fired home from close range. Redcastle were first to show on the resumption but were unlucky when a Daniel Harkin effort came back off the post.

Aileach then increased their lead after Gregory Doherty released Ruairi Bradley and he converted at the back post to complete his hat trick. McGlynn then increased the lead with a fine solo goal running from midfield past two defenders before slotting low to the corner. Number seven came  on 78 minutes after Tom Doherty played a neat one two with Bradley before slotting low to the corner.

Gleneely Colts 1-0 Carn Res

In a game of few chances it was the home side who threatened first when Nathan McLaughlin and Dylan McDaid combined well on the right to cross to Aiden Porter whose mishit effort was well saved by Daniel McCallion.

Carn had the best chance of the half on 37 minutes when Conor McGeoghaghan broke clear of the home defence but Mark Lafferty saved well.The colts had the better of the second half but again failed to create many clear openings. On 65 minutes McDaid saw his free kick from the edge of the area well tipped over by McCallion in the Carn goal.

On 80 minutes Porter’s snapshot was superbly tipped round the post by McCallion but from the corner Kieran White rose high to head home from six yards and give the colts the win.

Aileach Youths 8-1 Glengad Res

Aileach went close after five minutes when Paul McGrath fed his brother Edddie who laid the ball into the path of Benny Hegarty but Glengad’s Lee Kelly got in a vital tackle with Hegarty ready to pull the trigger.

Glengad were pressing at this stage and tested Aileach keeper Dylan Clarke with a few long range efforts.Aileach took the lead after 15 minutes when Stephen O’Donnell sent Eddie McGrath clear and he slid the ball past Michael McLaughlin in the Glengad goal to open the scoring.  

Glengad almost equalised on 20 minutes when Joe Doherty had an effort cleared off the line by Ryan McLaughlin.  Aileach incresed their lead minutes later when Benny Hegarty sent Eddie McGrath away on the right hand side and McGrath returned the favour by picking out Hegarty in the box to slot into the bottom corner from 10 yards.  

Five minutes later, Mickey Morrison beat two men on the left wing before being upended in the box.  Stephen O’Donnell placed the resulting penalty into the bottom corner to give Aileach a 3-0 lead.

Glengad came close minutes later when Dan McDaid wiggled free in the box and fired a shot just past Clarke’s left hand post.  Aileach went four up right on half time when Stephen O’Donnell’s free kick fell to Dean Gill in the box to poke past the keeper from the penalty spot.  

Aileach kept the tempo up at the start of the second half and made it 5-0 early in the second half when Stephen O’Donnell sent Paul McGrath clear on the right and he played the ball in front of Eddie McGrath who drove home from the edge on the box past McLaughlin.  

Glengad pulled one back almost imeadiately when a long ball upfield fell to PJ McDaid who smashed the ball past Clarke to make the score 5-1. Aileach increased their lead within five minutes when Dean Gill advanced from midfield to drive a shot from 30 yards into the bottom corner.  

On 70 minutes, Hegarty evaded two Glengad defenders and crossed for Mickey Morrison to tap home. Eddie McGrath came close to his hat-trick minutes later when he unleashed a left foot shot from 30 yards that cannoned off the crossbar.  

Glengad came close again in the 80th minute when substitute Michael Farren cut inside and shot narrrowly wide.  Aileach completed the scoring in the 85th minute when Ryan McLaughlin’s free kick was knocked down by Dermot Doherty into the path of Dean Gill to complete his hat-trick.

Buncrana Res 2-1 Dunree Res

Hearts started brightly with Timlin, Morrow and Murphy controlling midfield, although they created only half chances until in the 24th minute a partial clearance from defense by Dunree fell to Murphy who gave the keeper no chance from 25 yards.

Ten minutes later from a throw-in Hearts worked the ball to Christy Mc Kinley who squared for Eamon Morrow to score from twenty yards. Hearts kept up the pressure but failed to create any further significant chances before halftime.

In the second half Dunree started to dominate territorially but like Hearts in the first created very few clear cut chances.  It took a spectacular effort from Neil Moran on 65 minutes to get them on the scoreboard and while their height advantage at corners and free kicks was always a threat they could not add to their tally.

Indeed it was Hearts who can feel unfortunate not to add to their tally with Michael Doherty hitting the Dunree crossbar in the eighty third minute and two minutes later Noel Mc Laughlin just shooting wide.

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