'Gulls' soar into next round as Keadue defeat Bonagee in FAI Junior Cup

Two sides under new management in former Finn Harps team-mates crossed paths on Sunday in the FAI Junior Cup.

Patrick Bonner’s Keadue Rovers had just a little more in their locker to see off the Packie Mailey-managed Bonagee United at Dry Arch Park.

Peter McGee and Oisin McKelvey scored the goals in either half as The Gulls booked their tickets to the next round.

Bonner and Mailey were colleagues at Harps in the 2009 season and have now entered senior team management with Mailey taking over from Jason Gibson at Bonagee and Bonner now having charge at Central Park, succeeding Pat Ward.

Defender Paul Boyle had a headed effort for Keadue that was off target before Bonagee went close in the 23rd minute. Shay Maloney was the creator for the hosts. Maloney whipped the ball into the danger zone. New signing James Henry saw his first effort saved onto the post by Patrick McGarvey.

The Keadue ‘keeper - a recent signing following spells at Harps and Dergview - showed good reflexes to turn away Henry’s follow up.

Bonagee United

Keadue hit the front soon after when McGee steered in from close range after being picked out by Aidan Brennan’s cross. Brennan had previously lined out for Bonagee United in the Donegal Youth League, but the pacy attacker is back in the home-club colours once again.

Experienced midfielder Mark Forker fired wide as Keadue probed again with intent. 

Fintan Hassan might’ve brought Bonagee level, but he was narrowly wide of the far post after winning a race for possession down the left-hand side.

McGee turned provider for Keadue’s second 10 minutes into the second half. McKelvey’s finish was neat, curled perfectly past the home goalkeeper Andrew Nicholls.

Bonagee sought a way back, but McGarvey superbly saved from Parke’s blasted free. 

Late in the game, Brian Proctor curled wide from a free at the other end. 

Bonagee United: Andrew Nicholls; Ricky Guntrip, Kevin O'Donnell, Jack Parke, Ryan Creevy; Daniel O'Donnell, Kyle McLaughlin, James Henry, Deano Larkin; Shay Maloney, Ultan McMonagle. Subs: Fintan Hassan for McMonagle (17), Ronan Buchanan and Christy Connaghan for Larkin and Hassan (60), Sean Hume and Luke Coyle for Creevy and McLaughlin (86).

Keadue Rovers: Patrick McGarvey; Danny McGlynn, Brendan McCafferty, Martin Ferry, Brian Proctor; Mark Forker, Peter McGee, Oisin McKelvey, Paul Boyle; Michael Greene, Aiden Brennan. Subs: Aaron McCafferty for Forker (78), Calum Boyle for McGee (86).

Referee: Vincent McLoughlin