Knockalla Caravans Cup – full round-up from weekend’s first round action

The Knockalla Caravans Senior Cup continued this weekend with seven first round games taking place – here’s a full round-up.

Bonagee United 4 Clonmany Shamrocks 1

Bonagee advanced to the next round of this Ulster Football Association competition with this comprehensive victory over the visitors from Inishowen. 

The home side controlled this game from the beginning, limiting Clonmany to shots from distance. 

The first chance from either side arrived in the 8th minute, when Michael Funston, who was excellent throughout, played in Matty Harkin with a neat pass, but the Bonagee frontman dragged his shot just side of the far post.

Micháel Doherty was next to try and break the deadlock, when his rasping shot from distance went narrowly over Paddy Harkin’s crossbar. 

Clonmany’s first effort arrived in the 21st minute, when Oisin Hession fed Jason Devlin, but his shot from 20 yards was easily dealt with by Paddy Quigley. 

The opening goal arrived in the 28th minute, when a good Bonagee move involving  Caillin McLaughlin and Dean Larkin allowed Jamie Lynagh tap home from three yards. 

They doubled their lead on the stroke of half time, when a corner from Clonmany was headed clear as far as Funston, and his long clearance allowed Matty Harkin outpace his marker to finish past Harkin from 12 yards. 

The game was over as a contest within ten minutes of the second half.  On fifty three minutes, a free for Bonagee was cleared but only as far as McLaughlin, who headed back into the danger area where Larkin was on hand to volley home from six yards.

Two minutes later, it was four nil.  Micháel Doherty’s excellent pass into the area was met by Harkin, who side footed into the far corner of the net. 

The visitors got a late consolation in the 86th minute, when Paddy Doherty scored from the edge of the box, when played in by Steve Harkin.

Best for Bonagee were Funston and Doherty, while Hession and Steve Harkin were excellent for Clonmany

 

Castlefin Celtic 0 Glengad United 5

In an uneventful first half there were no chances and defences on top  but Glengad upped the tempo in the second half taking the lead when Stephen McLaughlin crossed for Seamus Doherty to slot home from close range.

Ten minutes later they made it two nil  after good work by Adam Byrne who pulled the ball back for Doherty to slot home his second from twelve yards.

After a corner was not cleared Patrick McDermott fired low to the net to make it three nil past Chris O’Donnell before on 75 minutes a James McKinney cross was looped over O’Donnell by Terence Doherty.

They completed the scoring on 86 minutes when John G McLaughlin beat the offside trap and drew O’Donnell before squaring for McDermott to slot home.

 

Greencastle FC 4 Kildrum Tigers 0

The visitors had the first chance when a Kevin McHugh effort was well saved by Dillon Doherty.

But the home side took the lead on 11 minutes when a long clearance was headed clear by keeper Sean Friel to Christy Hegarty who superbly lobbed the ball into the net from 40 yards. Ten minutes later Shaun Doherty evaded three challenges and curled an effort just over the bar.

At the other end McHugh broke into the area but saw his effort deflected behind for a corner.  Greencastle  replied with Michael henry crossing from the right for brother Matthew whose effort came off the outside of the post.

Then on 36 minutes a Shaun Doherty corner fell to Sean McKinney whose effort was blocked and went behind for a corner.

The last chance of the half saw Kildrum’s Kevin O’Donnell beat the offside trap and see his effort tipped round the post.

Minutes into the second half McHugh played in William Lynch  but Shaun Doherty robbed him superbly and set up an attack which ended with Nigel McMonagle breaking and firing low to the bottom corner.

On 55 minutes Shaun Doherty fired a free kick narrowly over the bar before they made it three nil with Matthew Henry fired a twenty five yards free to the top corner Kildrum  replied with a Ryan Coll free well held by Doherty in the home goal .

Home substitute David Henry played a superb long pass to McMonagle who advanced into the area and saw his first effort blocked but fired the rebound to the bottom corner. Shane Brown had a late effort but Dillon Doherty saved well.

 

Buncrana Hearts 3 Derry City  Reserves 2

In an excellent result for the Hearts it was the visitors who started  the better  with Nathan Boyle firing wide after a good cross from Logue on the left.

Derry took the lead midway through the half when after a defensive error Evan Tweed pounced to drill home.

Minutes later a long range effort from Logue was well tipped over the bar by Seamus Houghton.

A great ball then from Adrian Delap found  Boyle but he flashed an effort just wide. On the restart a long range effort from Delap was turned round the post by Houghton. Somewhat against the run of play the home side got back on terms when Mark McFadden ‘s cross found Bart Wesoloski who headed home from ten yards.

The home side stunned the visitors then when after an excellent run and cross from Kieran McDaid  found Wesoloski he finished superbly to the net.

Derry rallied and with four minutes remaining a long ball over the top sent Boyle clear to drill past Houghton. But with time running out the home side snatched

Victory when Gary Duffy rose highest to head home a Kieran McDaid free and send the home side into the next round.

 

Glenea United 0 Letterkenny Rovers 1

Defending Knockalla Cup holders Letterkenny Rovers had to grind out a battling win against the reigning Donegal League champions Glenea United at Pairc Joe.

Veteran striker Darren McElwaine headed home the only goal of the game when he nodded in a first-half corner, whipped in by Pajo Rafferty.

Rovers, who will be in Intermediate Cup quarter-final action next Sunday against Home Farm, had to weather a storm for a while, but Eamon McConigley’s side advance.

 

Cootehill Harps 1 Finn Harps Reserves 2

Finn Harps Reserves came from behind to defeat Cootehill Harps in Cavan on Sunday.

Enda Hession fired Cootehill ahead in the 17th minute, but Gareth Doherty netted to bring Harps back onto an even keel 11 minutes later.

Late in the game, Adam Duffy got Harps back in front and Joe Boyle’s men held on for the win.

 

RESULTS

 

Four Lanterns Ulster Senior League

Sunday

Cockhill Celtic 3 Swilly Rovers 0

 

Knockalla Caravans Senior Cup, First Round

Saturday

Bonagee United 4 Clonmany Shamrocks 1

Sunday

Buncrana Hearts 3 Derry City Reserves 2

Kildrum Tigers 0 Greencastle FC 4 (reversed to Chapel Lane)

Glenea United 0 Letterkenny Rovers 1

Cootehill Harps 1 Finn Harps Reserves 2

Castlefin Celtic 0 Glengad United 5