Inishowen well represented at prestigious Foyle Cup in Derry

The U-11s with Diarmuid O'Brien and Liam Mooney at the helm began their week with their opening two games on Monday at the Melvin Centre in Strabane.

In their opening game against Rosario from Belfast they got a dream start when Harry McGeough found Finn Kealey who released Senan Doyle to hammer a superb effort to the net. But in truth they failed to build on that with a Ben Mclaughlin deflected effort tipped onto the bar.

A late penalty concession saw Rosario snatch a point. In their second game on Monday defensive lapses in the second half saw Glenavon inflict a two nil defeat on Inishowen.

The Inishowen U-11 Foyle Cup squad in Derry

On Tuesday games against Magherafelt Sky Blues and Don Boscos saw Inishowen unlucky to lose one nil against the Sky Blues before a superb performace saw them defeat Don Boscos two nil with Shay Doherty and Harry McGeough scoring.

In their final group game they defeated Newbuildings two nil with Harry McGeough and Senan Doyle on the mark to finish third in the group.

Inishowen played Glendowan FC in the Rose Bowl Quarter final on Thursday and Senan Doyle fired them ahead from the penalty spot but a defensive lapse allowed Glendowan to level late in the game and they went on to advance 5-3 in a penalty shootout.

Inishowen again dominated the next game against Hillsborough Boys but a failure to convert chances saw them frustrated in a scoreless draw and this time Inishowen progressed in sudden death spot kicks.

On Friday they began with a game against NFC Kesh and fell behind to an unfortunate OG but rallied with a Cianan O Doherty corner deflected to the net to set up another penalty shootout which they prevailed on a three nil scoreline.

In their final game in what was really the story of the week another excellent performance but came out on the wrong end of a one nil scoreline against Rosario to finish in forty second place from a total of eighty teams.

Inishowen U-12

Inishowen U-12s under Jack Ferry & Alan Clarke began with a comprehensive eight one win over Clooney FC with Oisin O Hare getting four goals, Kai Doherty with a brace and Michael Bradley and Puaric Doherty also on the mark.

On Tuesday they moved to QPS to face Rosario in a top of the group clash and despite racing into a two nil lead and missing a penalty they needed a last minute goal to draw three all with two goals from Christopher O’Connor and one from Michael Bradley.

They were in St Columbs Park on Wednesday against Portrush in their final game on Wednesday they recorded a huge twelve nil win to top the group with Oisin O Hare getting four, Christopher O Connor a hat trick, Danny Friel two and Kai Doherty , Mark Faulkner one apiece.

The Inishowen U-12 Foyle Cup squad with coaches Jack Ferry and Alan Clarke

They faced Altrincham FC in the cup in the last sixteen and despite a five nil scoreline it was a much better performance than the actual score with a couple of defensive errors contributing.

They bounced back in the evening and recorded a seven two win over Hillsborough Boys with Oisin O Hare (2), Peter Buchanan, Rhys Nicholas, Sean McCool, and Michael & James Bradley on target.

On Friday they defeated Foyle Harps five one with Oisin O Hare (2) , Rhys Nicholas, Kai Doherty and Harry McDaid all scoring to set us a plate final against Crusaders on Saturday morning.

In probably their flattest performance of the week the boys fell to a two one defeat with Christopher O Connor getting the goal and they finished a fabulous tenth place from sixty teams .

Inishowen U-13

In very warm conditions in Maginn on Monday Daniel Doherty and Brian Murray’s side fell to a three one defeat with all the goals coming in the second half.

Oxford raced two goals ahead before Cian McLaughlin converted from the penalty spot but Oxford added a late third goal to seal the points.

On Tuesday they hosted Enniskillen Athletic in Maginn Park and goals from Ryan O Loughlin and Lukas Skigeris.

On Wednesday in Maginn they faced Draperstown Celtic and gained a two nil win with goals from Oisin O Brien and Ronan Doherty.

The U-13s qualified for the Rosebowl and defeated Clooney FC four one on Thursday morning after goals from Rian O Donnell (2), Dathal Gallagher and Cian McLaughlin on the mark.

They followed that up in their second game on Thursday with a three nil win with Tiernan Somner , Caoimhin Crawford and Oisin O'Brien on target.

This saw them advance to the Rose Bowl final on Friday against TOTH Celtic in Strabane and a single strike from Conor Spence was enough to secure the win and a seventeenth place finish from fifty six teams

Inishowen U-14

Patrick McGrenaghan and Stephen McGonagles U-14 side began their campaign on Tuesday in Culdaff and they had a superb five one win with Hayden Boyle getting four goals and Tadhg McDaid the other.

They followed that up with another win over TOTH Celtic with Hayden Boyle getting another brace, Darragh O Hare and Conor Tierney on the mark. This set up a top of the table clash with Ballymoney and in a tempestuous affair Inishowen lost three two with Hayden Boyle & Ronan Mailey scoring .

On Friday morning in the plate competition quarter final a late Charlie McLaughlin goal was enough to win one nil and then they defeated Tristar three one in the semi final with Charlie McLaughlin, Danny Cooney and Lughaidh McCool on the mark on Friday afternoon.

In the plate final on Saturday at Lakeside Aileach against Limavady United Darragh O Hare gave Inishowen an early lead but two quick goals after half time had Limavady ahead until Danny Cooney despatched a superb thirty yards free kick to the top corner to send the plate final into penalties.

Goalkeeper Josh Walsh saved two kicks and Inishowen scored four to clinch the Plate and an excellent ninth place finish from forty four teams.

U-15s

The U-15s also began in Maginn Park on Monday evening and dominated for large parts with Gavin Bradley and Joe Lavery seeing good chances saved before Peter McLaughlin fired them in to a half time lead.

They continued to press in the second half but filed to convert their chances and paid the price when Draperstown snatched a point with a superb late free kick.

The Inishowen U-15 Foyle Cup squad that took part in the famous competition in Derry

On Tuesday they were back in Maginn against Newhill in Maginn Park and in a brilliant game of football for the second day running they conceded a goal from a free kick to end level at four apiece. A superb performance from Tiernan Cantwell who scored all four goals.

On Wednesday they defeated Glentoran five nil to top the group but missed out on the cup as not all group winners qualified for the cup. Tiernan Cantwell grabbed a hat trick with Joe Lavery and Joe McCallion also on the mark.

In the Foyle Plate they were unfortunate to concede a last minute goal to fall two one to Rosario with Tiernan Cantwell again on the mark before in the afternoon they lost three nil to Inter Connecticut (USA).

In their final game on Friday Sonny Bonner got the goal in a three one defeat to Turmerry Athletic which left Inishowen in sixteenth place from thirty six teams.

Youth League U-17s

Marty Doherty’s Inishowen U-17s started their campaign in Redcastle and goals from Jack Gill and a Mason McDaid penalty saw them record a two one win over Limavady United.

On Tuesday they moved to Culdaff and a crucial clash with Strathroy Harps but a superb performance saw Inishowen win six nil before a big crowd.

Kyle Melly grabbed a hat trick, PJ Doherty, Shay Sweeney and Tiernan Doherty all on the mark as well. In their final group game a Mason McDaid penalty salvaged a one all draw with Maiden City to top the group and qualify for the cup semi final against Derry City where they went down to a narrow one nil defeat.

In the third –fourth place play off Inishowen recovered from two down at half time to draw three all with Liam Jordan, Kevin Long and Mason McDaid scoring before they emerged winners in the shootout on a nine eight scoreline to clinch a brilliant third place finish.

Overall

Once again it has been a tremendous season for the Youth league and the Academy. To the coaches again (Andrew McDermott, Daniel Doherty, Brian Murray, Jack Ferry, Alan Clarke, Oliver O’Donnell, Dermot O’Donnell, Liam Mooney, Patrick McGrenaghan, Stephen McGonagle and to all those who helped out in any way with teams during the week ) well done and a big thank you.

Their commitment, dedication and professionalism is second to none. We look forward to all the coaches returning again in September / October where the process all starts again.

To the most important group in the academy a big thanks to all the players who represented their clubs, their league, themselves and their families so well this week and over the full course of the season.

Well done and keep up the hard work and we hope to see all available players return for the trials. To the Youth League and all the parents for their unwavering support all year round- it is greatly appreciated.

Also congratulations to all the past Academy players who continue to play for both Finn Harps and Derry City at under age level in the national leagues.