Cranford United retain league status at expense of Kerrykeel

Cranford United will hold onto their league status after they edged this Donegal League Division 1 relegation/promotion play-off decider against Kerrykeel at Ballyare on Sunday.

In a scrappy contest, the breakthrough finally arrived on 68 minutes when Cathair Sweeney, just sprung from the bench, fired a low drive from outside the area that crept into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Hughie Walsh's Kerrykeel will have plenty of regret after this one as they'd held the slight upper hand for most of the previous hour. 

But, in the end, while they'd the better of the chances, it was Cranford that seized the moment when it mattered most.

Back at the outset, it was Kerrykeel that made the first real inroad just three minutes in when Calum McAteer got down the right but with James Kerr taking up a good position in the centre, the cross lacked the desired accuracy.

Down the other end, Kevin Doherty's dangerous delivery into the area was well dealt with by Shaun Kerr.

Both sides were having most early joy down the flanks and it took quick feet off his line by Cranford stopper Jason Hegarty to punch clear with Patrick Friel looking to nod home.

It was a similar story for Cranford as Paddy Shiels just failed to connect with Kevin Doherty's centre.

On the half hour mark, Mark Friel almost broke the deadlock for Kerrykeel when his freekick from outside the area was tipped behind by Jason Hegarty.

Kerrykeel were presented with another inviting freekick close to goal five minutes into the second period but Mark Friel blazed well over the Cranford crossbar.

Soon after, Kerrykeel came within inches of the lead when James Kerr was played in over the top by Kevin Loughrey but Hegarty did so well to push his strike onto the post.

Full back Brandon McClafferty also got in behind the Cranford defence but his clip over the advancing Hegarty just went the wrong side of the post.

On 65 minutes Kerrykeel did have the ball in the back of the net through James Kerr however it didn't stand as Jonathan Friel was well offside in the lead-up.

Moments later, Kerrykeel were punished for not making their dominance count when Sweeney, just into the mix, drilled home for Cranford from outside the area with his very first touch.

And in a game where gilt-edged opportunities were at a premium, it was no surprise that intervention proved to be decisive. 

Kerrykeel 71; Shaun Friel; Brandon McClafferty, Shaun Kerr, Michael McDevitt, Jamie McAteer; James Kerr, Mark Friel, Kevin Loughrey, Calum McAteer (Gerard McAteer, 85); Patrick Friel, Jonathan Friel.

Cranford United: Jason Hegarty; Kyle Doherty, Chris Duffy, Shane Coll, Jack McAuley; Kevin Doherty, Danny McBride (Cathair Sweeney, 68), Chris Carr, Kyle McFadden; Domhnall Sweeney, Paddy Shiels (Chris Kemps, 76, Paddy McGeever, 82).

Referee:  Gerald Devine.