FINN HARPS Reserves’ return to the Four Lanterns Ulster Senior League ended in a narrow defeat to Bonagee United, while there were draws in the Cockhill-Letterkenny and Swilly-Fanad games.
Bonagee United 2 Finn Harps Reservs 1
Finn Harps Reserves return to Intermediate football ended in defeat to Bonagee United on Sunday at Dry Arch Park.
Harps manager Joe Boyle will be pleased by the way they applied themselves in their first game in the Ulster Senior League since their withdrawal in February 2015.
Bonagee started the game brightly, and took the lead in the 11th minute Aidan McCauley played a neat pass into the path of Francesco Crisco, and the Bonagee winger made no mistake from ten yards.
Harps should have drawn level in the 14th minute. Ryan McGarvey brought down Alex Carolan inside the box, but Gareth Doherty’s resulting spotkick was saved by Gareth Wade in the Bonagee goal.
Harps had efforts late in the first period through Aaron McCready and Declan Sharkey, but neither efforts troubled the home goalkeeper too much.
Bonagee doubled their advantage in the 75th minute when Aidan McLaughlin drew a mistake from Tommy Lee McCarron in the Harps goal and the Bonagee number 9 had the easiest task of rolling the ball into the empty net.
Harps response was positive and they halved the deficit in the 85th minute when, following a punch clear by Wade, Declan Sharkey sidefooted home from twelve yards to make it 2-1.
The men from Ballybofey almost got the equaliser just at the death, when Sharkey somehow managed to put a header wide, after a cross from Paul Ferry. Best for Bonagee were Aidan McCauley and Crisco, while Ciaran Kelly and Sharkey starred for the newcomers.
Bonagee United: Wade, Doherty, Breslin, Russell, McGarvey, Lynagh, O’Doherty, McCauley, McLaughlin, Crisco, McCroary.
Finn Harps Reserves: McCarron, Ferry, Ellison, Kelly, Doherty, McCready, Carolan, G Doherty, McCroary, Sharkey, Finn.
Bonagee United
Cockhill Celtic 2 Letterkenny Rovers 2
COCKHILL CELTIC twice came from behind to draw with Letterkenny Rovers at the Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds.
Goals by Steve Okakpu-Emeka and Igor Arriel had Letterkenny ahead, but Cockhill levelled twice through Peter Doherty and Ronan Doherty.
Cockhill went close early on when Peter Doherty headed over from Gerry Gill’s corner.
On 19 minutes, a Paul McDermott cross was flicked on by James Bradley to Derek Doherty, whose volley clipped the bar on the way over.
Letterkenny took the lead on 21 minutes when Kevin McGrath’s shot hit the post and was bundled home from close range by Okakpu-Emeka.
Cockhill replied with William O’Connor’s ball being controlled by Gerard McLaughlin into the path of Ronan Doherty who shot narrowly wide.
Cockhill equalised just before half-time when Peter Doherty advanced from defence before firing past Kelly from 30 yards.
The second half started with Cockhill dominating possession but Letterkenny looked dangerous on the break.
They regained the lead on 56 minutes when a long ball released Arriel who, despite McLaughlin getting a touch, found the net from 15 yards.
They had a big chance to win the game on the hour when Paul McVeigh broke clear of the Cockhill defence but his shot was saved by McLaughlin.
A minute later, Cockhill were level.
After inter-play between Bradley and Gill, Ronan Doherty curled the ball home from the edge of the box.
Both teams had chances to win the game in the end-to-end finish to the match. Cockhill’s best chance coming when Bradley found space in the box, Kelly’s smothering save broke to Derek Doherty whose shot was deflected over.
This was followed by a Paul Boyle header for Letterkenny being cleared off the line.
The final chance fell to McVeigh who, again, broke through. This time he rounded McLaughlin before his shot was cleared off the line by the covering Oisin McColgan.
Swilly Rovers 1 Fanad United 1
THIS local derby was played in glorious sunshine on an excellent playing surface at Swilly Park.
Swilly went ahead on 38 minutes when a stray pass by Fanad’s Matthew Crossan, found Ryan Mc Daid who, with the outside of his right foot, curled a delightful shot into the far corner of the net.
Shane Graham denied Swilly’s Laurence Toland with a stunning save and Toland then headed over a Ricky Fisher cross.
Fanad were the more physical side and with more experienced players and the contrast in styles was interesting. Swilly’s defence stood firm against a frantic Fanad in the opening 20 minutes.
In the second half Mark Wilson and Laurence Toland both came very close for Swilly but they were somehow denied.
Fanad’s Seamus Nanny Friel was sent off for a second bookable offense.
Heavy Fanad pressure paid off in the 86th minute when John McGarvey connected a Daire McDaid cross to make it 1-1.
Swilly Rovers: Caolan Bolton, Paul Bradley, Shay Durning, Damien Friel, Jordan Toland, Barry Mooney, Ryan McDaid, Dylan Hegarty, Ricky Fisher, Laurence Toland, Brandon Wilkie. Subs used: Matthew Sweeney, Mark Wilson.
Fanad United: Shane Graham, Seamus Friel, Martin McAteer, Shaun McElwaine, Kieran Gorman, Declan McGarvey, Killian Gallagher, Matthew Crossan, Daire McDaid, Davitt Walsh, Keelan McElwaine. Subs used: Gary Gorman, Martin McElhinney.
Referee: Marty McGarrigle.
| USL | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
| Letterkenny Rovers | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Cockhill Celtic | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Bonagee United | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Swilly Rovers | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Fanad United | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 1 |
| Finn Harps Reserves | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| Derry City Reserves | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
