Here are the weekend’s reports from Ulster Junior Cup and Ulster Junior Shield

THERE WAS A PACKED programme of action this weekend in the Ulster Junior Cup and Ulster Junior Shield:

Picture caption: Bonagee United’s Noel O’Donnell in action against Glengad United’s Terence Doherty.

Lagan Harps 2   Culdaff F.C. 4

FOR the second year in a row Culdaff overcame Lagan in the Ulster Junior Cup. Lagan had started well and Chris Toner exchanged passes with Gavin McGlanaghey before forcing a good save out of Darragh McLaughlin.

The resultant corner was headed off the line by a Culdaff defender.

Lagan took the lead on twenty minutes when Frankie Mc Brearty split the defence for Kenny Doran to race clear and score.

Culdaff equalised on twenty eight minutes when a penalty was awarded for handball and Benny Mc Laughlin scored. Within ten minutes Mc Laughlin had completed his hat-trick when the Lagan defence twice failed to deal with long balls from the back and he raced through to score.

Lagan went close when Michael Doherty’s free was palmed over the bar by Darragh Mc Laughlin. Lagan were on top for most of the second half with Michael Doherty again forcing a good save from McLaughlin.

Lagan got their second when Chris Toner found Kenny Doran and he side—stepped a defender before firing home. Lagan pressed but couldn’t force the equaliser. Culdaff completed the scoring when Benny McLaughlin crossed for Michael Coyle to score.

 

Ballybofey United 2     Lifford Celtic 1

BALLYBOFEY United brought their good League form into the Ulster Junior Cup for the visit of Lifford Celtic to the Twin Towns on Sunday afternoon. It remained scoreless until the interval with neither side able to break the deadlock.

Mark Griffin finally opened the scoring for Ballybofey on sixty minutes. The home side were guilty of missing several chances as they enjoyed having the upper hand on their fellow Division Two challengers.

Lifford then equalised when Johnny Mahon netted from the penalty spot. Despite passing up on several further chances the home side eventually put the result to bed when Brian Lafferty did well to hold off the defender and burst into the penalty area before beating the outrushing Lifford goalkeeper.

Ballybofey will progress to the next round of the Cup and on this showing there will be a few decent matches in store between these two sides when they meet in Division Two of the Donegal Junior League.

 

Kilmacrennan Celtic 2     Cavan Town 0

KILMACRENNAN Celtic advance to the next round of the Ulster Cup with a good solid victory over Cavan Town on Sunday. Conditions were perfect for football on the day and it was the home team that settled the quickest and forced the Cavan men to defend almost from the first whistle.

Cavan Town did defend well but the break through goal arrived in the 22nd minute when Mark Friel was in the right place following a clever pass from Timmy Burke and Friel rifled the ball past the advancing Cavan keeper.

As hard as Kilmac tried, a second goal in the first half would not arrive and all credit must go to the Cavan defence. The second half was a more evenly contested game as the Cavan men pushed further up the pitch forcing the Lurgysiders to defend their lead.

As the game progressed Kilmac got the insurance goal in the 82nd minute when Ciaran Mc Ginley put Caolan Mc Daid through on goal and the young striker made no mistake when he was afforded the chance. Credit to Cavan Town they pushed right up to the final whistle and never gave up but it is the Kilmacrennan men who go through to the next round.

 

Glenea United           3     Erne Wanderers 1

THE Game started off slowly with neither team creating much in the first 25 minutes. Erne took the lead in the 27th minute when a well worked moved ended with David Dorrian shooting from 12 yards.

Glenea equalised in the 44th minute when an Eamonn Mc Hugh pass split the defence for Lee O’ Brien to calmly find the back of the net from the edge of the box. Glenea took the lead in the 60th minute when McHugh assisted again to feed Ciaran McGeady who rounded the keeper to finish.

Peter Boyle in the Erne nets saved well from an Eamonn Cannon shot, before Glenea were reduced to 10 men in the 75th minute.

Erne pressed but were caught out in the 80th minute when Ciaran Mc Geady latched onto a Ryan Mc Fadden pass to make it three for Glenea.

 

Bonagee United 0     Glengad United 3

GLENGAD should have taken the lead on seven minutes only for Terence Doherty to shoot wide from ten yards. The visitors were awarded a penalty on fifteen minutes when Terence Doherty was fouled in the box and Adam Byrne’s spot kick was saved by Carr in the home goal.

The visitors had chances through Shane Canning, Nigel McMonagle and Stephen McLaughlin but Carr was in fine form in the home goal.

Noel O’Donnell came close on 40 minutes for the home team only for his strike on goal deflected wide. Lee McMonagle and Austin Marron for Bonagee were always a threat up front.

Glengad took the lead on the hour when the ball was crossed to the edge of the box to Shane Canning and his strike from 20 yards found the bottom corner of the net.

They got their second on 80 minutes after great pay down the right by Nigel McMonagle who squared the ball into the box for Mark Smith to tap home from ten yards.

The home side had a few good chances on 83 and five through McMonagle and McGowan but there strikes on goal were deflected wide.

The visitors got their third on 88 minutes when Terence Doherty broke clear of the Bonagee defence and shot home from the edge of the box.

 

 

Cranford United 3     Killylough F.C. 0

IT was a tight first half in Cranford Park with only a headed goal from Joe Gallagher separating the sides. The second half started with Killylough having a good spell of possession but Cranford were able to see it out and got their reward with a good break with Andrew Kelly converting a through ball from Keelan Mc Gee.

Cranford closed the game out and completed the scoring with another header this time Brendan Giles hitting the target.

 

Buncrana Harps 2     Keadue Rovers 1

KEADUE started this game well and almost caught out home keeper Corey Wilson when attempting to play out but his defence came to the rescue. Buncrana settled and Stephen McHugh flashed an effort just over the bar before great work by Eoin Murphy on the left saw him feed Christopher McKinley but his effort was saved.

The home side did take the lead on 29 minutes after Robbie Fullerton played a great ball into Murphy to fire low to the corner from twelve yards past Hugh Boyle.

Keadue got back on terms on the stroke of half time when hesitant defending allowed Donal Rodgers to fire past Wilson.

Buncrana started the second period well and McHugh fired inches over the bar from twenty five yards.

Keadue had a great twenty minute spell from the hour mark and went close on three different occasions with efforts from Rodgers and two from Danny Boyle. Buncrana substitute Neil Harkin instigated the winner when he fed McHugh whose superb pass found Declan Fullerton to slot home from six yards and seal the Hearts progress.

 

 

Cootehill Harps 1     Castlefin Celtic 0

 

Illies Celtic 3     Convoy Arsenal 2

IN a lively opening both Michael Coyle for the home side and Anto Boyle for the visitors fired efforts just over the bar. Illies then broke the deadlock midway through the half when John P Donaghey headed a Dominic Coyle corner to the roof of the net.

Convoy equalised almost immediately when the ball broke inside the area to Boyle who fired low through a crowd of players to the net.

They then took the lead on 33 minutes after a Darren Harvey cross deflected of a defender and into his own net.

Illies upped the tempo and before the break Chris O Donnell in the Convoy goal made two stunning g saves to deny Kevin O’Loughlin on both occasions. Minutes after the restart O Donnell was on hand again to block Coyle’s effort with his legs. Illies kept pressing and equalised on 70 minutes when O’Loughlin headed a deep free from Dominick Doherty to the roof of the net.

They then took the lead again on 77 minutes when Stephen Doherty cut the ball back from the byeline for Donaghey to slot home from six yards. Convoy threw everything forward and spurned a great chance when they were awarded a penalty after Boyle was upended but Harvey stepped up and blasted the spot kick high over the bar.

 

Greencastle FC 7 Cockhill Youths           0

The home side dominated from the start and on 5 minutes James Henry was denied by Sean Parker who recovered to block Christy Hegarty ‘s follow up. They took the lead after 6 minutes when a low Matthew Henry corner was drilled home from twelve yards by Michael Barr.

They increased their lead on 26 minutes when Hegarty poked the ball past Parker and ran on to slot home. The impressive James henry then fed Sean Cavanagh who turned well and slotted home to make it three nil at the break. It continued in the same vein and after good build up Matthew Henry controlled a cross to slot low to the corner on 53 minutes.

Cockhill replied and Darragh McDermott fed Keegan Hegarty who skipped past a defender but fired into the side netting. Greencastle increased their lead when Hegarty outpaced the defence to round Parker and finish well.

Hegarty completed his hat trick and made it six nil when he side stepped a defender and fired left footed to the net.

Cockhill had two half chances when both McDermott and Tommy Doherty saw attempted lobs clear the crossbar. Greencastle substitute Danny Murphy found Michael Henry but Parker saved well. Another substitute Joe Doherty headed narrowly wide before Michael Henry fired a stunning thirty yards effort to the top corner to complete the scoring.

 

 

St. Catherines 4     Clonmany Shamrocks 1

CLONMANY started the brightest and deserved their 1-0 lead after eleven minutes when Jason Devlin slotted past the Saint’s keeper. Daniel Breslin had two great chances and finally slotted home after twisting and turning the Clonmany defence to make it one apiece after 15 minutes.

The home side grew more into the game and Paul Mc Fadden latched onto a cross giving the Clonmany keeper no chance with a powerful volley on 31 minutes.

Ryan Farrell scored two great individual goals in the second half to make the final score 4-1.

The second of his goals a 25 yard screamer to the top corner really put the icing on the cake for a fine individual performance.

Best for Clonmany was Michael Harkin in the middle of the park and the home keeper Shane O’Gara.

 

Glaslough 2     Drumoghill F.C. 2

( Drumoghill won 4-2 on penalties )

 

Aileach F.C. 3                Milford United 1

MILFORD started well and the ever dangerous Kyle Black poked just wide in a crowded area before he saw another effort from a tight angle clip the bar on the way over.

Somewhat against the run of play Aileach took the lead on 16 minutes when a diagonal Dermot Doherty pass released Anthony Doherty on the right and he crossed for Kieran McGrory to slot home.

The visitors got back on terms on the half hour when after Black mis hit his initial effort he adjusted to head past John Roulstone.

Aileach replied and regained the lead before the break when Dermot Doherty and Thomas McMacken combined to release Anthony Doherty and he fired low past Eamon McGettigan.

Milford were unlucky in the 55^th minute after Black outpaced the home defence but saw his effort rebound off the post to Joey Cullen whose follow up effort was smothered by Roulstone. McGrory controlled well but fired wide for the home side while at the other end Cathal McGettigan volleyed just over the bar.

Aileach made it safe on 81 minutes after McGrory pulled the ball into the path of McMacken who controlled well and fired to the roof of the net from the edge of the area. Milford were denied a consolation when Gary Merritt controlled well and his shot on the turn was well saved by Roulstone.

 

 

Raphoe Town 1     Clones Town 2

 

Rathmullan Celtic 1     Gweedore Celtic 1

( Gweedore won 4-3 on penalties )

GWEEDORE Celtic emerged successful after a tense shootout at the Flagpole with goalkeeper Michael McKelvey the hero for the men from Screaban.

McKelvey produced some Bruce Grobbelaar-esque antics on the goal line throughout the shootout and duly saved two crucial efforts from the Hoops while he also fired past Sean Black with his own team’s final spot-kick. After a scoreless first half in cold conditions it was the home side that edged in front midway through the second half. Niall Carruthers, lively all afternoon on the wing, was the man with the golden touch curling home from 20 yards past McKelvey. Gweedore stuck to their task gainfully and they were rewarded with ten minutes left when Odhrán Mac Niallais sprung the offside trap to level the tie.

Jude Patton came closest to finding an elusive winner during extra time but it was to be dreaded shootout to decide this game. Rathmullan drew first blood as Black produced an outstanding stop top deny Mac Niallais but successful efforts from Jamie Boyle, Cathal Mulhern, Eamon McGee and the man of the moment McKelvey gave Gweedore four from their five in the shootout.

Jude Patton, Eoin Sheridan and Kevin Doran were all successful for the home side but McKelvey got his hands on the efforts of Derek Edwards and Ryan Connolly to send Gweedore on their way.

 

Gweedore United 2     Monaghan Town 4

THIS Cup clash was played in perfect conditions at Carrickboyle and it was Monaghan Town who progress to the next round.

It was the visiting side that started the quickest and took the lead in the 20th minute when Ronan Straite’s shot from 25 yards into the bottom corner passed Brian Gallagher in the Gweedore goals. Monaghan Town doubled their lead five minutes later when a free kick from 18 yards was saved by Gallagher but Adrian Mc Anespie reacted quickest to tap home the rebound.

Gweedore had an opportunity to pull one back in the 40th minute when Micheal Barry shot from 20 yards just went over the crossbar.

Gweedore started the second half better and were awarded a penalty in the 55th minute for a handball by one of the Monaghan defenders, Shane ‘Baggio’ O’Donnell stepped up but the Monaghan keeper saved well but O’ Donnell reacted quickest to score the rebound to make it 2-1.

Gweedore were growing in confidence but were caught with a sucker punch in the 60th minute when Monaghan regained their two goal cushion when Sean Mc Crudden shot home from 12 yards to make it 3-1 to the visitors. Monaghan got their fourth in the 70th minute when Ronan Straite got his second of the game with a free header at the back post. Gweedore pulled one back in the 75th minute following a good one two between Ciaran McFadden and Michael Barry left Barry one on one with the Monaghan keeper and he made no mistake from 18 yards.

That was to be the last goal of the game as Monaghan closed out the game and will enjoy their long trip back to Monaghan.

Ronan Straite was excellent for Monaghan Town while it was a good team effort from Gweedore who will turn their attention back to League football after this cup exit.

Referee: Micheal McFadden

 

 

Ulster Junior Shield

 

Milford United Reserves 1     Illies Celtic 1

( Illies won 3-2 on penalties )

MILFORD welcomed Illies Celtic to Moyle View Park on a good day for a game. Milford started the stronger and had a few chances before JJ Fleming broke the deadlock on the half hour mark.

He outpaced the Illies defence before rounding the goalie and finishing smartly to put Illies one up. It should have been 2-0 soon after with Conor Meakin sending in a good cross.

JJ Fleming cushioned it down for Ciaran Blaney to smash home but the referee gave offside to the bemusement of everyone. Illies came back strong in the second half and got the equaliser in the 65th minute. A free kick was sent into the box and an unfortunate Milford defender saw his headed clearance hit the post but Adrian Donaghey-Doherty was on hand to turn home.

Both sides had chances to win it in normal and extra time but it would go to the lottery of penalties. Both keepers pulled of great saves but it was Illies who came out on top 3-2.

A great effort from both teams and played in a good spirit but it’s Illies who progress to the next round of the Ulster shield.

 

Glenea United Reserves 9     Moville Celtic 1

THE away side started the stronger and had most of the possession in the first 10 minutes. Glenea settled and a good move from Tommy Rodgers down the left resulted in a free kick which was well finished by Eamonn McHugh.

Martin Ferry scored two in quick succession from inside the box after being well set up by Conor McClafferty for both, Moville broke the offside trap on the stroke of halftime to leave it 3-1 at the break.

Glenea took control in the second half with Martin Maguire, Shane Ferry, Sean Mc Bride, Mark Harley, Ciaran McFadden and Conor McClafferty all scoring to put Glenea through to the next round.

Referee: Michael Mulhern

 

Glenree United Reserves 1     Cockhill Celtic Youths 5

COCKHILL took the lead five minutes into the match when the ball was delivered into the box and struck high into the home side’s net. Glenree should have been back on level terms by half time but they squandered too many chances.

It was the away team who took control in the second half and were four up by the 75th minute.

Glenree got one back when Damien Nelis fired one into the Cockhill net from close range.

It was the away team who finished the scoring for the day when they hit their 5th in the 88th minute and stride into the next round.

 

Orchard F.C. 5     Cavan Town 1

ORCHARD created numerous chances and broke the deadlock on 12 minutes after Michael Sweeney beat two defenders and scored in the bottom corner. Cavan created a few chances but couldn’t beat Tommy McLaughlin in the Orchard net.

Eddie Moore doubled Orchard’s advantage on 30 minutes.

The third goal was scored after Joe McCarron took a corner which Rory O’ Gorman got his head to and buried it in the back of the net. The second half started and Cavan pulled a goal back through Kyle McKenna.

Orchard’s fourth goal was scored by Michael Sweeney again after he riffled a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box. Paddy McLaughlin rounded off the scoring for Orchard after a mix up in the box.

 

Carrowmena F.C. 0            Glencar Celtic 3

 

Culdaff F.C. 3                 Erne Wanderers 0

 

Drumkill Rovers 2 Strand Rovers 3

 

Killylough Reserves 3 Moville Celtic 1

A SEVERELY understrength Moville side fell to defeat in this game played in Clones Town. They broke the deadlock on 19minutes after the Moville defence failed to clear allowing Lee Meehan to slot home from close range.

Moville equalised ten minutes later after a fine strike from Conor Doherty from twenty five yards nestled in the bottom corner.

Meehan restored the home sides advantage before the interval when he fired home from the edge of the area. Moville upped the tempo on the restart and Charlie Gill, Doherty and Michael McNaught were all denied by good saves from keeper Lane Monaghan.

On 79 minutes Killylough sealed the win when after a corner the ball deflected off a Moville defender to the net.

 

Aileach Reserves 5 Greencastle Reserves 0

THE home side dominated this match from the start and on 5 minutes Stephen Doherty dragged an early effort just wide from fourteen yards. Greencastle replied and Mike Price headed narrowly wide after a free kick.

On 21 minutes Ruairi Bradley played a one two with Conor Harkin and drilled low past Puaric Carey Doherty from twelve yards.

Doherty and Bradley had efforts which saw the former fire wide and Doherty safe the latters effort. Just before the half time break when Harkin’s back heel released Paul McHugh to fire low to the net from 12 yards.

In the second period McHugh added another on 55 minutes when he advanced before unleashing a superb effort from twenty yards to the top corner. Greencastle replied and Tom Heuston fired narrowly wide from distance.

On 74 minutes the unmarked Matthew Doherty ghosted in at the back post to convert Bradley’s cross from six yards.

They made it five nil when Stephen Doherty scored after a scramble in the area. At the other end Eunan McDaid had a snap shot saved by David McGeady.

 

QPS Reserves 3 Sea Rovers 2     (AET)

IN lovely conditions at Muff the home side had to come from behind and force extra time before advancing. Both teams started fast, with Jack McConnelogue’s shot forcing Rovers keeper Glen Watson into making a good save. But it was the away side who opened the scoring on seven minutes.

A defensive error allowed Daniel Glackin to swoop in behind the home defence and finish past David Bell.

Rovers’ pressing game was causing the home side problems early. On twenty minutes, Damien Ward’s free-kick from the left was met by the head of William Logan, and Bell had to be alert to tip over. Ward’s resulting corner found Gary Doherty in the box, who headed home to make it 2-0.

The Muff side fought back into the game, although Bell made another good save to deny Ward from a free-kick.

On 40 minutes, Paul Hegarty’s in-swinging corner from the left was palmed away by Watson with Kevin Wallace ready to pounce. Three minutes before the break, the home side reduced the deficit. Joe Johnstone made a strong run to left byline before squaring a pass to McConnelogue, and the midfielder made no mistake from ten yards, finishing clinically into the bottom-left corner.

The away side should have restored their two goal cushion on forty-eight minutes. Ward made a good burst through the middle and laid on a pass to Glackin, but the striker shot wide when one-on-one with Bell and Ward was again denied by Bell two minutes later.

Quigley’s Point began to take control. Paul Hegarty and Joe Johnstone both had shots off-target.

On 74 minutes, Josh McLaughlin was played through after excellent work from Paul Grant, but the young striker’s poor first touch allowed Watson to clear the danger.

The home side continued to pile on the pressure.

With ten minutes left, McConnelogue showed good work on the right flank before passing to Paul Hegarty, and the midfielder’s curling shot from the right edge of the box smacked the crossbar.

The away side’s resistance eventually broke on 82 minutes. Hegarty’s shot from 16 yards was blocked, but the Point midfielder pounced on the rebound to tap in from ten yards.

With Rovers tiring, Quigley’s Point looked to finish off the game. Sam McCorkell’s shot was well-held by Watson, while Gary Doherty made a brilliant last-ditch tackle to deny Hegarty a second goal. Josh McLaughlin then had two glorious chances to win the game, first shooting wide from ten yards from a Hegarty corner before being denied by Watson with the last kick of normal time.

The comeback was completed for the Point in first minute of extra-time. McConnelogue made another excellent run on the right before playing a low ball into the box, and Rovers defender saw his attempted clearance went into his own net.

Quigley’s Point were content to see the game out, with the away side unable to break through a well-organised home defence. McConnelogue and Kevin Wallace saw half chances go wide in the first period of extra-time.

Three minutes before the end McConnelogue was unlucky not to cap an excellent performance with another goal, his volleyed shot fizzing just wide from 12 yards.

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