A goal by Stephen Mc Laughlin in the 64th minute gave Glengad United there fourth Inishowen League Premier Division title in a row.
Aileach FC 0 Glengad United 1
Aileach FC needed a win to force a title play-off but in this evenly contested encounter at the Lakeside it was Shane Byrne’s team that once again produced what was required to win these big game that decide championships.
Glengad had the better of the early exchanges and Terence Doherty tested Peter Devlin with a couple of long range efforts.
In the 10th minute the visitors went close when overlapping full-back James McKinney’s cross just eluded both Michael Byrne and Seamus Doherty in the penalty area.
Aileach finally came to life with a strong run from winger Darren Mc Monagle and his excellent cross found Ronan Coyle who volleyed just wide from 12 yards. A minute later Glengad broke out and a four man move ended with Seamus Doherty pulling his shot wide.
The best chance of the first-half cane in the 33rd minute when Anthony Doherty’s super cross from the left found the unmarked Ronan Coyle at the far post but the normally deadly finisher was let down by his first touch and the chance was gone.
At half-time it was 0-0.
Glengad created a great chance at the start of the second-half when Stephen McLaughlin broke into the Aileach box , beat a couple of defenders and pulled the ball back for Michael Byrne but his goal bound shot was blocked and the danger averted by the home defense.
Aileach responded well with a couple of good attacks Glengad’s defense held firm. Neither team were able to dominate.
With Aileach needing the win to force a title deciding play-off their need was the greater the longer this game remained scoreless.
As the game entered it’s final third the home side nearly grabbed the lead when following a corner which was only half cleared Darren McMonagle’s cross found the head of Ronan Coyle and when Kevin McLaughlin denied his first effort with his hands Coyle followed up with a shot which the keeper kept out with his feet and another good chance was gone.
Five minutes later that proved very costly as Glengad took the lead. They broke from defense with Michael Byrne pass out to Terence Doherty.
The front man played a super diagonal pass between two defenders to the hard running Stephen Fildara who kept his nerve and drilled a super shot past keeper Devlin to the far corner for a vital opening goal.
It could have been 0-2 six minutes later but Adam Byrne was just unable to get a vital touch close to goal.
AILEACH FC : Peter Devlin , Mark McElhinney ( Thomas MC Monagle 75 mins ) , Cathal McElhinney, Thomas McMacken , Gavin Doherty , Darren Mc Monagle , Dermot Doherty , Gareth Mc Glynn ( Jordan MC Gready ( 88 mins , Ronan Coyle ( Patrick Curren 75 mins ) , Anthony Doherty.
GLENGAD UTD : Kevin Mc Laughlin , James Mc Kinney , Jason Doherty , John Gerard McLaughlin ,Matthew Byrne , Adam Byrne , Stephen Mc Laughlin , Shane Canning , Terence Doherty , Michael Byrne ( Paddy MC Dermott 75mins ) , Seamus Doherty ( Cathal Mc Daid 72mins ).
REFEREE ; Liam Davenport.
