With their rivals in Cup action, Aileach took advantage as a home win over Buncrana put them top of the Jackie Crossan Premier Division. Here’s a full roundup of action from the Inishowen League.
Jackie Crossan Premier Division
Aileach 2 Buncrana Hearts 1
After 10 minutes Thomas McMacken picked the ball up in midfield and drove forward before unleashing a rasping drive from 25 yards which Eoin O’Sullivan in the Buncrana goal did brilliantly to deflect over the bar.
The blustery conditions were making it difficult for both teams to get to grips with the game resulting in a very scrappy period of play with possession changing hands all too regularly.
On 40 minutes Kevin Doran got possession in the inside left channel and turned well before firing a well struck shot which O’Sullivan got fingertips to diverting the ball around the post but from the resulting corner Aileach broke the deadlock when Keith McColgan’s corner from the right found it’s way into the net at the near post.
After 50 minutes Dermot Doherty was fouled on the edge of the area and from the resulting free kick Gavin Doherty curled a neat free kick which O’Sullivan did well to hold at the foot of his right hand post.
Midway through the half Buncrana drew level when Kieran McDaid’s persistence paid off when he bundled the ball home from close range after McGeady had saved his initial attempt.
On 80 minutes Aileach restored their advantage when a Gareth McGlynn free kick wide right was headed powerfully to the net by Gavin Doherty at the back post to secure the points for the home side
Clonmany Shamrocks 0 Illies Celtic 1
After an even opening period in this game the visitors broke the deadlock on 21 minutes when Adam Duffy’s cross found Dominic Coyle to sneak in past defenders and head past Patrick Harkin at the back post.
Clonmany responded on 27 minutes with Declan McLaughlin running at the Illies defence and unleashing an effort which Johnathan Noone saved well.
On the stroke of half time Mark Mclaughlin’s cross fell at the feet of Christy Harkin six yards out but again Noone blocked well.
Clonmany upped the tempo after the break with substitute Aaron Harkin slicing badly wide from a mark Mclaughlin cross before another cross from McLaughlin found Jake Harkin who poked the ball forward but it came off the post.
The Shamrocks were awarded a penalty after Harkin was adjudged to have been impeded by Noone but Noone atoned when diving to his left he stuck out his right leg and blocked Brendan Doherty ‘s weak spot kick before the Illies defence cleared.
Illies were rejuvenated after this let off and Kevin McGonigle had a shot blocked by Patrick Harkin before Paul Doherty broke on the right but again Harkin was equal to his effort.
The final chance also fell to the home side when substitute Gavin Doherty dragged an effort across goal and wide.
Strand Hotel First Division
Aileach Res 2 QPS 1
Aileach inflicted serious damage on the visitors promotion prospects with this hard fought win at Lakeside.
The away had the first real effort on goal after 5 minutes when a fierce strike from Karl Donnelly was tipped over by Ciaran Bradley in the Aileach goals.
A few minutes later Aileach went in front when Stephen O’Donnell’s low cross was slotted in at the back post by Shane McMonagle.
Play moved back up the other end following a corner Andy Barr’s effort was again pushed around the post by Bradley.
Aileach went two up on 20 minutes when Killian O’Rourke’s deep free-kick was tapped in to the bottom corner by O Donnell.
QPS pulled one back 10 minutes later after Josh Boyle intercepted a loose ball in the Aileach defence to advance and curl a great shot to the top corner of Bradley’s net.
The second half was a much quieter affair with both defences on top. O’Rourke had a great effort on 60 minutes but his fierce drive flew just over the crossbar.
QPS had a great chance to level the scores with 10 minutes to go when Aaron Mc Colgan was upended in the box but Stephen Harley’s penalty came back off the post and cleared to safety. Aileach’s defence stood firm for the remainder of the game to ensure the three points.
Buncrana Res 1 Rasheney FC 0
An Owen McNamee goal gave Hearts all three points in this closely contested encounter played in very trying conditions.
Hearts played with a strong breeze in the first half and it was Darach O’Connor who was first to test Rasheney keeper Kieran Friel early on.
Friel was in action again, when after a great break from midfield by Ben Bradley, he pushed Bradley’s shot round the post for a corner.
Rasheney slowly clawed their way into the game and on 23 minutes Tyler Mc Bride broke from midfield, fed Ryan Doherty and his shot was well saved by Hearts’ keeper Mc Daid. Rasheney kept pressing, and from a corner on 30 minutes Paul Mc Connellogue headed just over.
The decisive act of the match came on 37 minutes, Michael Doherty won a free close to the right hand touchline, Gerard Boyle took the subsequent free kick which was knocked down by Niall Henderson and McNamee was on hand to drive the ball through a forest of legs to the back of the net, giving keeper Friel no chance.
Rasheny, now playing with the breeze, started the second half brightly but their cause was not helped when they were reduced to ten men shortly after the restart.
On 60 minutes the crossbar came to Hearts rescue when Ryan Doherty broke through and shot from ten yards.
The game was always in doubt and neither side really got control in midfield where Dale Kerr (Buncrana) and Tyler McBride (Rasheney) impressed.
Ryan Doherty had several half chances for Rasheney, while Gerard Boyle (Buncrana), playing in an unfamiliar defensive role, had a couple of spectacular efforts late on. T
his win will give Hearts hope that they can escape relegation and feel it was just reward for a great team effort.
Sea Rovers 0 Dunree United 1
This was a crucial encounter for both teams at the foot of the table.
Rovers went close in the opening minute when a William Logan free kick from the edge of the area drew a superb save from Sean parker in the Dunree goal.
Dunree’s first threat came midway through the half after Neil Moran found space but fired just over from 20 yards.
The remainder of the half saw both defences on top with neither side able to create a clear chance.
Dunree started the second period well and Caolan McBride saw one free sail over the bar before another goalbound effort was cleared by a defender.
Rovers responded and when Damien Ward released Conor Gallagher he advanced into the area but dragged his effort across goal and wide.
Dunree spurned a great chance on 73 minutes when Neil Moran’s free crashed off the bar to Thomas Mulhern but he headed over a gaping goal.
The breakthrough came on 80 minutes when a Matthew Doherty corner deceived all and landed in the net past Glen Watson.
Rovers pressed hard in the final minutes and a Gary Doherty cross was headed goalwards by Keelan Doherty but Parker made the save to seal the points.
Inishowen Engineering Division Two A
Moville Res 3 Clonmany Res 2
Moville started this game well and opened the scoring on 8 minutes when a Pearse Doherty cross was headed past Liam McGonigle by Eamon Reddin.
They doubled their lead midway through the half after Matthew McLaughlin pounced on a poor clearance to drill home from six yards. Clonmany ‘s best chance came before half time when Pearse McCarron broke clear but his effort was well saved by Sean McGuinness. Clonmany got a goal back on 51 minutes when after a corner broke to Dessie Doherty who fired a shot in off the bar.
They kept pressing and then equalised on 72 minutes when Doherty converted a penalty after McCarron had been upended.
Moville rallied and struck for the winner when Jack Ferry advanced into the area and drilled a superb low effort from sixteen yards into the bottom corner.
In the closing minutes Clonmany were reduced to ten men after Philip Devlin had received a second yellow card.
QPS Res 1 Greencastle Res 2
In difficult wintry conditions in Muff, Greencastle started well against the wind and Adam Harkin tested Point keeper Wallace with a low drive from 20 yards.
Joe Doherty for Greencastle, got in behind the Point defence, lobbed keeper Wallace but the ball came off the post and was scrambled clear.
Greencastle opened the scoring on 10 minutes when a mix up in the point defence presented the ball to Joe Doherty inside the area and he slotted low to the net.
QPS were stunned again on 12 mintues when Adam Harkin ran on to a quick throw and curled the ball into the net from 20 yards with keeper Wallace stranded.
Shaun McColgan for QPS ran down the wing and his low cross was miskicked by Lafferty when well placed.
QPS improved in the second half and dominated possession without troubling a well organised Greencastle defence.
QPS pulled a goal back with 5 minutes to go, when a Jack McConnellogue free was headed home by Paul Grant at the back post but the visitors saw the game out to claim the points.
Inishowen Engineering Division 2 B
Illies Res 8 Carn Res 1
Carn actually started this game very well with Conor Doherty firing over the bar before Girt Dzerins was denied by a fine save from Kevin Gallagher.
Illies responded and opened the scoring on 22 minutes when a Liam O Connor cross found Ronan Hegarty to blast high to the net.
They doubled their lead on the half hour after Patrick O’Connor advanced on the right and cut the ball back into the path of Hegarty to slot home.
Carn reduced the deficit before the interval when a Conor Doherty cross caused confusion and deflected off a defender past Gallagher.
Illies started the second half well on top and when Hegarty beat two men he laid the ball across for Ethan Doherty to slot home.
Shane Devlin then headed home Stephen McGonigle’s cross before Hegarty completed his hat trick to fire low past Jack Nelson.
Late goals from Liam O’Connor after a scramble and two more from Hegarty for a personal tally of five completed the scoring.
Cockhill Res 3 Carrowmena 1
The first half was played in very difficult conditions with the wind and hail as both teams struggled to adapt and settle in to the game.
Cockhill had the first chance when Patrick McLaughlin saw his first time strike go narrowly wide of Michael Noone’s left hand post.
Carrowmena nearly opened the scoring midway through first half when a long kick out by Carrowmena keeper Michael Noone evaded the Cockhill defence and Gerard Gill got on the end of it but the on rushing Cockhill keeper Declan Caldwell did enough to pressure the Carrowmena man who saw his effort go over the top.
In an even first half it was Cockhill who had the last chance of the half, this time Gary Breslin fired just wide of Michael Noone goal after a good cross from the left by Patrick McLaughlin. Cockhill started the second half well in improving conditions.
Their early pressure paid off on 55 minutes when a good delivery from a corner by Mark Gillespie landed in the six yard box and took a deflection off a Carrowmena defender leaving Michael Noone no chance in the Carrowmena net to give Cockhill the lead.
Cockhill gained confidence from that opener and pushed hard for a second and the game turned in their favour after the introduction of Kevin McDaid and Tristan Donaghy. Firstly it was Kevin McDaid who played a great through ball for Gary Breslin who made it two-nil with a fine finish from a tight angle past Michael Noone.
Then on 65 minutes it was Kevin McDaid who started the move down the left, playing in Tristan Donaghy who cleverly cut the ball back to the edge of the area for Ryan Mallett who took if first time on the run and found the bottom corner of the net past Michael Noone with a well-placed finish.
Carrowmena did have a few opportunities and pulled one back after good play down the right when Sammy Bredin played in an excellent cross from wide right and Gerard Gill took it first time on the half volley from 10 yards high in to the net past Declan Caldwell with 15 minutes left.
