Inishowen League: Buncrana Hearts keep pressure on with convincing Greencastle win

Jackie Crossan Premier Division 

Aileach FC 2 Clonmany Shamrocks 1

Clonmany started this game with real intent and had the first opening on 12 minutes when Jason Devlin capitalised on a defensive error and brought a fine save from Conan Doherty low to the keeper's left. 

The away side continued to press and on 20 minutes following a corner from the left the ball fell to Ryan McColgan but his side foot effort from twelve yards was just wide. 

It took almost half an hour for the home side to trouble the Clonmany defence when following a right wing corner Denver Kelly rose highest but his header was just over Kieran Friels crossbar.  

The second half continued in much the same vein with Clonmany forcing the issue and the Aileach defence working overtime to keep them at bay. 

The pressure finally told when Clonmany were awarded a penalty on the hour for hand ball but Conan Doherty pulled off a superb save  from Aaron Porter diving to his right to parry the ball to safety. 

Aileach were finding it difficult to make inroads but were digging in well but succumbed to another penalty decision in the 70th minute  this time Doherty wasn’t called into action as Janie Coyles spot kick went well over his bar. 

Aileach took advantage of their good fortune with when the ever willing Darren Bradley latched on to a long ball outpaced his marker before sliding the ball low past Friel from the angle of six yard box. 

Clonmany threw everything at the home side for the remainder but Darren Gallagher, Michael McElroy, Ryan Long and Keith McColgan put in fine shifts right up until the second minute of injury time when Pearse McCarron turned the ball home from close range for a deserved equaliser. 

With a draw almost certain Reece McGilloway found the overlapping Darren Gallagher who slipped in Charlie Campbell to race clear and plant a fine finish just inside Friels right hand post for a last gasp winner.

Carn FC 0 Cockhill Celtic 2

In good conditions in St Patrick’s Park Cockhill  made a dream start when they opened the scoring on four minutes after  a Corey McBride corner from the right found Odhran O’Brien Daley who was unmarked at the back post and he headed home. 

Cockhill continued to pile on the pressure and got another chance a few minutes later when  McBride broke on the right past a defender and crossed for James Bradley who failed to hit the target. 

Carn then had a chance to equalize midway through the half after  Callum Kelly broke on the right  and crossed for Ross Farren who fired narrowly wide. 

The visitors  doubled their lead then on 33 minutes after a Conor Graham cross came off a defender and following a scramble in the area James Bradley slotted past Daniel McDaid from close range. 

Carn had the first opportunity of the second half as  Cian Burke cross found Ryan Kelly whose header was pushed past the post by Harry Doherty in Cockhill goal. 

Carn got another chance to reduce the deficit  when Michael McDermott  pass from midfield found Cian Burke and who went one on one with  Harry Doherty but shot low to the left and wide from 15 yards. 

Cockhill  responded when sub Luke Rudden squared it for Jay Bradley who shot high to the left and wide from twelve  yards. Cockhill went close  again in the final chance of the game after  

Adam Duffy found James Bradley who rounded the defender and shot low to the right and wide from 15 yards. 

Culdaff FC 0 Illies Celtic 4

A  young and very inexperienced home side took on Illies under the lights in perfect conditions on Saturday evening at Caratra Park. Illies dominated the opening half with Culdaff playing on the break. 

The visitors Paul Duffy created two good chances both for Donal O’Brien but he failed to trouble Patrick Mclaughlin the home goal.  

Paul Doherty then flighted a superb ball over the home defence to Michael Owen Doherty but his attempted lob drifted just wide from the edge of the area. Mclaughlin the home goal then saved superbly when Patrick Doherty was clean through before Illies broke the deadlock just before the break. 

The home defence failed to deal with a right wing cross and Duffy out muscled a home defender before slotting past McLaughlin. 

The home side started the second half well and a rasping shot from Billy Hume was well saved by Johnathan Noone before the keeper also held Sean McGrenaghans twenty yards effort. 

But Illies replied on the hour and doubled their lead after Duffy advanced unchallenged into the area and finished superbly to the top corner from sixteen yards. 

Illies grabbed a  third goal on 79 minutes after Dominick Coyle crossed for substitute Ethan Doherty unmarked to head past Mclaughlin from six yards.  

Culdaff kept plugging away and a Conor McColgan dipping effort from twenty yads was tipped onto the bar by Noone.

The visitors completed the scoring then when Oran Doherty broke clear of the home defence before clinically finishing past the stranded McLaughlin.

Greencastle FC 0 Buncrana Hearts 6

Buncrana started on the front foot as expected and took the lead in the 15th minute after an Eoin Murphy effort from twenty five yards deflected off a defender and past Caolan McGrory. 

McGrory then kept the home side in it with good saves from both Nathan Harkin and Matthew Brown  while at the other end Christy Hegarty won possession and shot just over from twenty five yards. 

But the  visitors added a second on 38 minutes after Harkins corner was headed to the bottom corner by Barr . 

On the stroke of half time the Hearts added a third goal when a deep cross  found Hugh Aaron McGonagle who hit a first time half volley to the roof of the net giving McGrory no chance. 

Buncrana resumed in control after the break and increased their lead when Caolan Doherty ran onto a through ball to finish low past McGrory . 

The same player added a fifth goal on the hour mark when he created space on the edge of the area and drilled low to the bottom corner. 

Greencastle kept trying hard and Hegarty raced clear he was denied by a superb save from Taylor Clarke. 

Eugene O Donnell then had two efforts for the home side off target. But the Hearts completed the scoring when Nathan Harkin won possession on the left and cut inside before drilling  a superb effort past McGrory.  

McGrory then made a superb save to deny Zach McFadden in the last chance of the game.

Hannon Greene Insurances Fr O Gara Cup

QPS Youth 1 QPS 3

The youths stunned their senior counterparts when they opened the scoring in the second minute after Sean Og Gallagher laid the ball off for Adam Harkin to fire to the bottom corner from twenty five yards.

But the senior team levelled on ten minutes after a Josh Boyle effort came off the post and in the scramble Denim Mclaughlin pulled the ball across for Darrragh McIntyre to slot home. 

In a swift counter attack the Point took the lead midway through the half after Cillian McEleney crossed for Mcintyre to slide in and force the ball home.Before the interval Oisin Lynch was then denied by a superb save from Cain Breslin in the youths goal. 

The senior tam dominated on the resumption with Boyle seeing an effort cleared off the line by Ruairi O Donnell before Lynch s effort crashed off the bar. 

They added the insurance third goal on 77 minutes when Lee Barr laid the ball off for Boyle to drill home from sixteen yards. 

The youths tried to reply but Raymond Buchanan saw an effort blocked by a defender. The final chance saw a Denim Mclaughlin cross headed narrowly wide by Oisin McIntyre.

Carrowmena FC 2 Gleneely Colts 1

In a well contested derby game in beautiful conditions at the Warren the visitors were first to show after a Ryan Noone low driven free was parried by Ciaran Bonner with the home defence clearing the danger. 

The home side responded and when Darragh McGuinness and Ronan Doherty combined to find Cahir McElhinney he advanced past a couple of challenges before seeing his low shot well saved by Ciaran Gallagher. 

The home side broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when a McElhinney free was cleared as far as Doherty who returned the ball into the area for Cathal Crumlish to react quickest and slot low past Gallagher from fifteen yards. 

Gleneely with Shay Harkin and Shane Diver prominent in attack were always dangerous but the home side held a slender advantage at the break. 

Gleneely started the second half pushing the home side back and levelled the game on 48 minutes when Cian McNamee drove a twenty yards free to the top corner giving Bonner no chance.  

Carrowmena  responded on 57 minutes and Adam Harkin s looping effort was headed clear by defender John Harkin. Midway through the half McElhinney released Doherty but his effort was blocked by the Colts defence. 

On 75 minutes Crumlish was upended in the area and Ronan Doherty slotted low past Gallagher to regain the lead for the home side. 

Gleneely pushed hard and on 85 minutes McNamee’s free crashed off the left hand post . 

Minutes later the visitors were awarded a penalty for handball but Kyran Cantwell’s spot kick was saved by Bonner and Cantwell blazed the rebound over from six yards.

Redcastle Res 5 Glengad Res 0

Redcastle got off to a great start when they went ahead after 10 minutes after  Shay Sweeneys cross was headed into the net by Gary Kelly. 

Glengad came close midway through the half after  a shot from Joshua McDaid hit the bar and went over.  

Both defences were well on top until the interval with neither keeper troubled.

Redcastle uppd the tempo after the break and went two up after 55 minutes when Caolan Henry was brought down in the box with Gary Kelly scoring the resulting penalty. 

On the hour mark they made it three nil when Brendan Murphys through ball put Gordon Steele clear and he made no mistake scoring into the corner from ten yards. 

After 70 minutes a cross from Gary Kelly was hammered home by Brendan Murphy from twenty  yards to put the home side well in control. 

Glengad Res kept trying and went close again after  a shot from Joshua McDaid from fifteen  yards went just the wrong side of the post. Redcastle added their fifth in injury time with a shot from Gary Kelly from twenty yards finding the top corner. 

Sea Rovers 1Dunree United 1   AET    (Sea Rovers win 4-2 on penalties)

As expected the game started at a very fast pace with division two leaders Sea Rovers entertaining division one Dunree at Gortnamullin. 

Both defences were on top form in the opening period of the game. But the home side took the lead on  the half hour mark after a through ball from Rovers Christy Mc Daid to Conor Mc Geoghan who beat the Dunree keeper Adam Harrigan to make it  one nil. 

A solid display by Rovers throughout the first half saw a fine ball from Oisin Hasson who picked out Conor Mc Geoghan with a perfect pass, but Mc Geoghan  fired narrowly wide. 

The second half was tighter than the first half and Rovers Liam Gallagher was denied by a good save from Harrigan. 

Dunree forced an equaliser on 78 minutes after Eoin Coombes fed Patrick Doherty inside the area and he drilled low to the net from twelve yards. Extra time ensued and both defences stood firm with no chances at either end. In the shootout 

Culdaff Res 0 Carn Res 2

The visitors started this game well with Shane McGuinness firing narrowly wide before they opened the scoring on 11 minutes after Matthew Mclaughlin fired a superb free kick from twenty five yards to the top corner. 

Culdaff replied with Jack Curleys cross just eluding Manus Doherty before Cillian McKinley fired over and Doherty also went close after good build up by Lorcan McFeely and Dylan McLaughlin. 

Carn ended the half strongly and Cormac Mclaughlin shot just wide before Conor Mclaughlin headed over. 

Play swung from end to end on the restart and for the home side Bryan McCandless as just off target before Niall Mclaughlin had an effort smothered by Jack O Brien in the Carn goal. 

At the other end Shay Fallon was denied by a superb save low to his left from Mark Smith while Tiernan Cantwell also went close. 

Carn sealed the tie on 87 minutes after Fallon played the ball through to Darragh McCormick who finished well past Smith. 

The home side were then reduced to ten men when Dermot Diver collected a second yellow card and they had the final effort with Gary Smyth firing just over the bar.

Cockhill Colts 1Moville Celtic 2

The Colts began this game well and in the opening twenty minutes Kevin McDaid headed over from a corner before the same player unleashed a thirty yards effort which just cleared the bar. 

Then Darragh Lyons inside his own half  saw an effort just clear the crossbar. Moville grew into the game with Conor Lafferty just wide with a free kick before Lee McColgan headed wide on two occasions following corners as the half ended scoreless. 

Cockhill had the first chance of the second half on 50 minutes after a Gavin Doherty free found Kieran McDaid but he headed over the bar. 

Moville then broke the deadlock five minutes later after Michael McNaught broke clear on the right hand side and squared the ball for  Luke McFadden to slot past Graham Doherty. 

Cockhill hit back and equalised on 79 minutes when Ciaran McGrorys cross found Kevin McDaid to slot home at the back post. Moville snatched a winner in the closing stages after Luke McFadden crossed for McNaught to slot home  from ten yards and send Moville into the next round.

Glengad United 3 Aileach Youth 1

In good conditions at the Crua the home side started well and in the 12th minute Seamus Doherty found Adam McGonagle  who in turn released Caolan McColgan but his shot was well saved by Dylan Clarke. 

Midway through the half a long Oran Doherty clearance found Stephen Mclaughlin who laid the ball to Seamus  Doherty and his effort clipped the bar from distance. 

The pressure told on the half hour mark after Clarke had parried a Seamus Doherty effort from distance the loose ball was seized on by Stephen Doherty to slot home from eight yards. 

Aileachs only chance of the half came when Oisin Kelly unleashed a twenty five yards effort which was saved by  Michael Mclaughlin in the home goal. Aileach had the first chance of the second half with an Oisin Doherty free kick drew a brilliant save from McLaughlin. 

Glengad then spurned a good opening midway through the half when Stephen Doherty found the unmarked McColgan but from ten yards his effort shaved the outside of the post. 

Aileach stunned the home side when they got back on terms after Matthew McDermott s cross was headed powerfully home by Ryan Wilson. 

However within two minutes a mistake in the visitors defence allowed substitute Joe Doherty to control and slide the ball low past Clarke. 

Aileach pushed and were caught on the break in the final minute when Joe Doherty converted a penalty after he had been upended.

Inishowen Engineering Division Two 

Clonmany Res 0 Illies Res 2

Illies had an early chance when Nathan McLaughlin ran onto a Conor Doherty pass and slipped the ball past home keeper Killian McCarron but wide of the post.

At the other end a dangerous Tyler McEleney cross just eluded Tiernan McDonald sliding in  at the back post. 

Illies opened the scoring in the 19th minute after a corner from Doherty sailed over McCarron to the back post where Dominic Doherty headed home from close range.

They had another chance midway through the half after Mclaughlin cushioned a header for Stephen McGonagle who fired over from the edge of the area. On the half hour the home side responded with Darragh Porter releasing McDonald on the right and he cut in before driving across the face of goal. 

Illies had the final chance of the half after another superb corner from Doherty was palmed away by McCarron with the home defence completing the clearance. 

The first opportunity of the second half didn’t arrive until the 66th minute when after indecision in the home defence Mclaughlin pulled the ball back to Caelan Whoriskey who with the goal at his mercy somehow hit the side netting from ten yards. 

Clonmany then saw a long clearance from Porter release McEleney whose cross-field pass picked out Pearse McCarron but his low shot was gathered at the second attempt by Johntahan Noone. 

Illies sealed the points on 83 minutes when substitute Ethan Doherty crossed for another substitute Tadghg McDaid to slot home  at the back post. McCarron had a late chance for the home side but his effort from twenty yards flew just over the bar.

Inishowen Engineering Division Two B

Rashenny Res 1 Dunree Res 1

The home side started well and had two attempts in the opening period. Firstly Cormace Dillon s low cross found Declan Mclaughlin who fired narrowly wide before Callum Doherty unmarked on the edge of the area also failed to hit the target. 

Dunree replied and after the home defence failed to clear the ball broke for Paul Jackson whose effort was saved by Roger McGilloway.

Rashenny had the final opportunity of the half after a Mclaughlin cross found Ronan McConalogue but his effort was saved by Oran Doherty in the Dunree goal. Dunree were first to show on the restart with Oran McGill delivering a teasing cross which found no takers. 

The home side replied and Doherty headed wide from a Christy Ivers cross. Dunree then opened the scoring in the 70th minute with McGill finding Cormac Doherty who raced clear and finished high to the roof of the net. 

They went close again after  Bryce Fullerton unleashed an effort which McGilloway held . 

Rahenny rallied and equalised when the Dunree defence failed to deal with Ivers cross for Mclaughlin to slot home from close range. Dunree had two late chances to snatch all three points. 

Firstly substitute David O’Hagan  was denied by a fine save from  McGilloway. Then on the stroke of full time Danny Doherty failed to hit the target when well placed in front of goal.