Match reports from all the Brian McCormick Cup Area Shields semi-finals

THERE WAS ACTION in the Brian McCormick Cup Area Shields semi-finals today and here’s the match reports.

Brian McCormick Cup Area Shields semi-finals

Letterkenny Area

Drumkeen United 0-1  Rathmullan Celtic

A Niall Carruthers goal early in the second half was all that separated these two teams in a very Close contest at St Patrick’s Park on Sunday.

The first half was very evenly contested with very little between the two teams and very few chances at either end. Drumkeen had a good chance early on when Niall Bonner played a ball through the middle to Benny Bonner but Rathmullan keeper Mark Gallagher was quickly off his line to deny Bonner.

This was a feature of the keeper’s game throughout the match and later in the game he was out quickly again to deny Anthony Browne. Rathmullan had no clear cut chances in the first half. Eoin Sheridan fired a long range effort over the bar and a free kick from Dara Patton bounced over the bar.

Here's all today's results

Sunday 21st August 2016
Brian Mc Cormick Cup
Area Shields Semi-Finals
Letterkenny Area
Drumkeen United 0-1 Rathmullan Celtic
Drumoghill F.C. 2-2 Lagan Harps (Lagan won 6-5 on penalties)

Donegal Area
St. Catherines 3-2 Erne Wanderers
Donegal Town 4-1 Cappry Rovers

Gweedore Area
Glenea United 2-3 Keadue Rovers
Gweedore United 2-1 Glenree United

Lifford Area
Ballybofey United 5-3 Kildrum Tigers
Deele Harps 1-5 Castlefin Celtic

Early in the second half Anthony Browne played a quick free kick to Michael Patton out on the Right Wing but Patton couldn’t quite get his pass into Niall Bonner in the middle. Rathmullan were then awarded  a corner when Drumkeen Keeper Michael Gibson made a great save at full stretch to push a long range effort over the ‘bar.

From this corner Rathmullan got what proved to be the winner when Carruthers, in the middle, headed home on 54 minutes. The rest of the second half was lively enough. Drumkeen were reduced to 10 men when Kevin Boyle was sent off around the hour mark.

Even with 10 men the home team were still well in the game but  Rathmullan then had a chance to put the issue beyond doubt. Niall Carruthers was adjudged to have been fouled in the box much to the

annoyance of Drumkeen. Dara Patton took the resultant penalty which was well saved by Michael Gibson. Gibson and Carruthers deserve a special mention for their contribution to the match.

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Drumoghill FC v   Lagan Harps 

Please click here to read Charlie Collins’ match report.

 

Donegal Area

St Catherine’s 3-2 Erne Wanderers

(No Report Received)

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Donegal Town 4-1 Cappry Rovers

Donegal Town dominated the game from the start and were a goal ahead after just five minutes.

Declan Browne’s low cross to the front post was guided into the net from close range by David Graham. It wasn’t long until Donegal doubled their lead. This time Joe McIntyre provided the assist. McIntyre who passed two men down the left side carrying the ball to the edge of the 6 yard box set up David Harron for the easiest of finishes.

Graham added another for Donegal on the stroke of half time following Ben Sweeney’s excellent cross. 3-0 Donegal Town at half time. Cappry came into the game more in the second half and applied pressure to Donegal. Cappry were rewarded for their efforts when a mix up in the Donegal defence resulting in an own goal brought them back into the game.

Cappry dominated the game for much of the second half but it was Donegal who threw the final blow. Joe McIntyre’s dazzling run into the box was followed up with a brilliant top corner finish. 4-1 to Donegal at the final whistle.

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Gweedore Area

Glenea United 2-3 Keadue Rovers

Glenea’s interest the McCormick cup came to end with this close defeat by Keadue.

The home team started brightly with both Ciaran Mc Geady and Ryan McFadden denied by Danny Rodgers in the away goal. Keadue took the lead on 20 minutes when the home defence failed to deal with a long clearance and Ryan Green was on hand to drill the ball home.

Keadue pressed home their advantage. Two minutes later Conor Green was on hand to score from close range at the back post. Keadue’s third came on 30 minutes when Conor Greene headed home a cross from the right.  In the second half Glenea started well and pulled a goal back on 48 minutes when Kevin Mulhern headed home a corner at the back post. The home side continued to press for another goal but were denied by a string of excellent saves from Rodgers.

Keadue almost extended their lead on 80 minutes when on a rare breakaway they saw an effort cleared off the line by Shane Coll. Glenea got their 2nd goal on 86 minutes when Dean Mc Carry headed home a corner. The home side looked for an equaliser but once more were denied by an inform keeper. 

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Gweedore United 2-1 Glenree United 

This game played in Gweedore saw the home side advance to their second consecutive area shield final after a hard fought win against a spirited Glenree.

The home side started brightest with Michael Barry, Ciaran Mc Fadden and Mark Mc Fadden all going close with good efforts in the early minutes. Gweedore took the lead in the 19th minute when a well delivered Aaron Bowyer corner was headed into the back of the net by Frank McGee to make it 1-0.

Here's next Sunday's fixtures

Sunday 21st August 2016 K.O. 2 p.m. (Unless Stated)
Brian Mc Cormick Cup
Area Shields Finals
Letterkenny Area
Rathmullan Celtic v Lagan Harps

Donegal Area
St. Catherines v Donegal Town
Gweedore Area
Keadue Rovers v Gweedore United
Lifford Area
Ballybofey United v Castlefin Celtic

Glenree began to create a number of decent chances and Damien Nelis came close in the 26th minute with a good free kick which was well saved by Charles Doherty. In the 35th minute Ciaran Mc Fadden made it 2-0 to the home side after good individual work and a good finish from a tight angle past John Cunningham following an excellent pass from Mark Mc Fadden.

In the second half Glenree really went at United and had decent chances through Martin Mc Bride, Damien Nelis and Martin Mc Laughlin early on. Mc Bride pulled one back for Glenree in the 51st minute with a finish from close range following sloppy play by the home side. The visitors continued to play well and looked good on the counter attack.

Ciaran Mc Fadden could have extended Gweedore’s lead on a number of occasions however Cunningham in the Glenree net did well each time. The home side rode their luck in the final minutes when Glenree had two excellent chances to send the game into extra time but it was one of those days for the visitors.

A good team effort from Glenree with Frank Mc Gee, Ryan Kelly and Ciaran Mc Fadden excelling for United. 

Lifford Area

Ballybofey United 5-3 Kildrum Tigers 

Not once but twice Ballybofey United gained the upper hand on their Premier Division opponents in this Area Shield semi-final.

They led by two going in at the break but gave that advantage away during a poor spell during the second half. That was as bad as it got however for Brian Lafferty’s men and when the game went into extra time the Twin Towns outfit seemed to gain an extra ounce of energy that saw them regain their two goal advantage  and by doing so they have qualified for the Area Final where they will play Castlefin Celtic on Sunday next.

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Deele Harps 1-5 Castlefin Celtic 

This game was reversed to Castlefin and the home side ran out comfortable winners eventually against a depleted Deele side.

Deele defended well until a lapse on 39 minutes when a ball broke to JP O Malley who tapped home, within five minutes Deele found themselves 3-0 down punished for defensive mistakes. Matthew O Rourke with a free and O Malley again from close range.

The second half produced little in the way of chances but Johnny Doherty scored a screamer from 40 yards to grab Castlefin’s fourth.  Deele grabbed a late consolation when Shane Gallagher fired home a penalty. 

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