INISHOWEN LEAGUE champions Greencastle United lost out to Illies Celtic at Druminderry this afternoon while Glengad had a useful win over Buncrana and Aileach saw off Culdaff. Here’s how today’s action panned out:
Jackie Crossan Premier Division
Glengad United 3 Buncrana Hearts 1
Glengad got off to a great start on 9 minutes when Stephen McLaughlin broke on the right and crossed for Terence Doherty to fire a half volley to the roof of the net.
Buncrana replied with Gerard McLaughlin having a header saved by Kevin McLaughlin in the home goal.
Midway through the half Glengad went close after good work from Doherty to find Patrick McDermott but his effort was well saved by Eoghan O’Doherty. The visitors had another attempt with Declan Fullerton’s snapshot saved by McLaughlin.
The home side had the final chance of the game when a Finn McClure had a superb effort parried away by O’Doherty.
Glengad started the second half well with Conor Barrow seeing an effort deflect off a defender and onto the bar before the same player was denied by O’Doherty who smothered at his feet.
The home side increased their lead on 75 minutes when McClure unleashed a stunning twenty five yards strike to the top corner. A minute later McDermott was upended in the area and James McKinney despatched the kick to the top right hand corner. Buncrana got a consolation when McLaughlin broke clear with the home defence looking for offside and slipped the ball low past McLaughlin.
Moville Celtic 5 Carn FC 2
Moville took the lead in the sixth minute after Ryan McColgan’s chip into the Carn box from the touchline was met by Conor Doherty who headed past Kyle Harkin.
The visitors tried to equalise through Chris McDaid who beat Moville keeper Seamus Houghton in a race but his toe poke was cleared by a defender. Darragh Deery’s effort was then dealt with by Houghton.
At the other end Caolan Doherty’s low cross was narrowly missed by the inrushing Michael McNaught. Midway through the first half the home side doubled their lead when Caolan Doherty held off a Carn defender allowing him to feed McNaught who’s first time drive found the far corner.
Further chances fell to Carn’s Cade Cooke who’s shot was deflected wide and Moville’s Caolan Doherty who’s long range effort was well held by Harkin.
Early in the second half Moville had chances to extend their lead with sub Jack McConnellogue denied by a fine full length save from Harkin and Conor Doherty’s shot hitting the base of the upright and across the goal line. In the 56th minute McConnellogue produced a lovely through ball to McNaught who controlled and shot low past Harkin into the bottom corner to make it three-nil.
Carndonagh’s comeback began 5 minutes later after Cooke converted a penalty and then got his second after latching on to Shane Doherty’s pass to slot past Moville sub keeper Coyle.
Harkin made a good save from Caolan Doherty’s quick turn and shot but Doherty found the back of the net from the penalty spot after Conor Doherty was upended by Harkin in the 85th minute.
Moville got a fifth in injury time when McNaught hit a low angled drive from the edge of the area after being set up from Jack McConnellogue’s pass.
Aileach FC 5 Culdaff FC 2
The first real chance of note arrived for the home side on 10 minutes when Gavin Doherty found Anthony Doherty inside the box but he pulled his shot from 12 yards wide of Callum Doherty’s goal.
The home side hit the front on 25 minutes when Thomas McMonagle found Anthony Doherty in the box and he played a neat one two with Paddy Slevin before finishing low past Callum Doherty’s left hand.
The home side doubled their advantage on the half hour when Anthony Doherty broke down the left and crossed for Dermot Doherty to finish from close range.
Culdaff pulled a goal back on 40 minutes when Jack McLaughlin did well down the left before cutting inside and unleashing a powerful drive which flew past Dougall in the home goal.
On the stroke of half time Aileach restored their two goal advantage when Dermot Doherty crossed for Aaron Nass to finish from close range.
On the hour an Aileach corner resulted in confusion in the Culdaff box with Gavin Doherty hitting the bar and Doherty pulling off a spectacular save before starting a quick attack which resulted in Aidan Cunningham bringing a fine save from Dougall but his parry fell to Brian McCandless who finished to an empty net.
Again the home side restored their two goal advantage within minutes when Nash latched onto a loose ball and toe poked the ball past the stranded Doherty from 10 yards.
Aileach’s fifth came on 85 minutes when Aaron Nash got to the byline on the right and pulled the ball back for the inrushing Denim McLaughlin to finish to the roof of the net from 6yards to finish the scoring.
Illies Celtic 1 Greencastle FC 0
Illies started this game well and in the opening ten minutes they spurned two gilt edged chances.
Firstly Kevin McGonagle ran onto a Michael Coyle pass but fired wide before Coyle rounded keeper Dylan Doherty but failed to hit the target. Greencastle replied and a Nigel McMonagle effort clipped the outside of the post.
Midway through the half Illies missed another great chance when Coyle sent James McGonagle clear but with the keeper to beat he fired wide. Coyle then chipped Doherty but the ball cleared the bar before a poor clearance by the visiting keeper Doherty fell to Liam Doherty whose first time effort from distance crashed off the bar.
Greencastle upped the tempo in the second half with McMonagle seeing a shot saved before Jamie McCormick firing over the bar.
Illies hit back and Coyle fired narrowly over but the visitors resumed on the front foot. James Henry beat two defenders and saw his effort clip the crossbar before the same player was denied by Johnathan Noone who gathered at the second attempt.
The home side struck for the winning goal on 88 minutes when Liam Doherty released Coyle with a ball over the top and he rounded Doherty to slot home.
