BONAGEE UNITED’S GOOD RUN continued today when they drew at Cockhill Celtic, while Letterkenny Rovers recorded an away win at Triagh-A-Locha yesterday.
Cockhill Celtic 2 Bonagee United 2
Bonagee United came from behind twice to draw with champions Cockhill Celtic at the Charlie O’Donnell Sports Ground.
The game was played in blustery conditions which made it difficult for both sides to play good football.
Both teams cancelled each other out in the first 20 minutes.
Cockhill with the wind at their backs scored with their first meaningful attack when following a good passing move the ball fell at the feet of Malachy McDermott and he scored a cracker from 25 yards.
Bonagee drew level within eight minutes when a hopeful ball from defence by Jimmy Lynagh caught the Cockhill defence very square & in-form striker Aiden McLaughlin lobbed the advancing Cullen.
Cockhill regained the lead again with a great team goal when a fast flowing move found Ronan Doherty (O) in the left wing, his cross was met by the inrushing Benny McLaughlin and he coolly slotted past Eugene Ferry. Both teams had half chances as the 1st half came to a close.
Bonagee, aided with the breeze started the second half on the front foot and had a lot of possession but found it difficult to create and clear cut chances in the first 20 minutes.
Cockhill tried in vain to get that all important third goal to kill the game but found Jimmy Lynagh in excellent form in the heart of Bonagee’s defence.
Mal McDermott almost grabbed his second had a header but it was cleared of the line on 70 minutes
As the half wore on Bonagee threw more bodies forward and created a few clear cut chances but Cullen saved smartly from Ryan McLaughlin and some last ditch by Peter Doherty kept Bonagee’s attack at bay.
However the introduction of Anthony Appiah on 80 minutes energised Bonagee’s attack and it has he in the 92nd minute squared the ball for McLaughlin to grab his second of the game after a goalmouth scramble.
This was no more than Bonagee deserved for their second half efforts.
Cockhill: G. Cullen, K. McLaughlin, J. Breslin, P. Doherty, J. Havlin, M. Mc Dermott, M. Moran (C. McLaughlin ‘70), J. Bradley, S. Mullan (G. Mc Laughlin ‘65), B. Mc Laughlin R. Doherty (O).
Bonagee: E. Ferry, J. Lynagh, B. Mc Ginley, G. Breslin, D. Lynch, D. Larkin, C. Curran, C. Moran, A. Mc Laughlin, J. Clerkin (A Appiah ‘80), R. Mc Laughlin.
Fanad United 1 Letterkenny Rovers 3
Fanad United suffered their second home defeat in four days as they went down 3-1 to Letterkenny Rovers in a match played in good conditions in Traigh-A-Loch on Saturday evening.
Fanad gave themselves an uphill task in this game when they conceded twice in the opening 15 minutes.
After having the better of the opening few minutes Fanad failed to make their pressure count and were made to pay in the eighth minute.
Following pressure from Kevin McGrath in the box he robbed the Fanad defender and played the ball across to Terence Shields who blasted home from close range.
Letterkenny then extended their lead in the 15th minute through former Fanad striker Paul McVeigh. When Kevin McGrath was fouled in the box, McVeigh stepped up the take the penalty and, although his initial effort was well saved by Oran Blaney, he was quickest to react and fired home the rebound.
Letterkenny should have extended their lead in the 25th minute when centre half Paul Boyle hit the bar after a Bonnar corner.
Keelin McElwaine was a constant threat for Fanad and in injury time he went on a mazy run but his shot from an angle was well saved.
The introduction of Brian McVeigh at half time certainly gave Fanad a more attacking edge.
Just after the re-start McVeigh and Davitt Walsh combined well down the left and when Walsh played the ball back to Conor McGonigle, his well hit shot was saved at full stretch by Rory Kelly.
Fanad did reduce the deficit in the 55th minute in spectacular fashion. When right back Oisin Langan went on a storming run he played the ball to Brian McVeigh 20 yards out who unleashed an unstoppable left footed drive into the net.
Letterkenny then sealed the points five minutes from time when they were awarded a second penalty of the evening. When Michael McGinley failed to clear the ball, Paul McVeigh got in front of the defender who dragged him down just inside the box and Bonnar made no mistake.
Fanad United: Oran Blaney, Oisin Langan, Chris Duffy (Darren Lynch ‘68), Michael McGinley, Shaun McElwaine, Declan McGarvey (Patrick Carr ‘80), Conor McGonigle, Ryan McGonigle (Brian McVeigh ‘45), Davitt Walsh, Martin McAteer, Keelin McElwaine.
Letterkenny Rovers: Rory Kelly, Ryan Lonergan, Johnny Bonnar, Tristan Ferris, Paul Boyle, Kevin McGrath, Paul McVeigh, Tommy Bonnar (Conal McGonagle ‘80), Garbhan Grant, Mark Forker, Terence Shields.
Referee: Vincent McLaughlin
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