Buncrana Hearts dethrone Cockhill Celtic and lift Premier Division title 

Buncrana Hearts are the new Jackie Crossan Premier Division champions after defeating current holders Cockhill Celtic. 

Before a huge crowd at Castle Park, as expected, the opening half was a close, hard-fought affair with few chances and defences on top. 

Cockhill had the first half-chance of the game on 11 minutes when, following a long free kick from Peter Doherty that was flicked on by Garbhan Friel, the effort was saved by the legs of Taylor Clarke.

On the half-hour mark, Buncrana replied with the best chance of the half when Eoin Murphy unleashed a well-struck twenty-five-yard effort, which was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Harry Doherty. 

The only other half-chance fell to the home side minutes later after a James Adair cross was headed over the bar by Keelan Doherty.

The pattern continued after the restart, with chances at a premium at both ends and defences well marshalled by Kevin O’Loughlin and Michael Barr for the home side, and Peter Doherty and Lee McColgan for the visitors, who did most of the early pressing.

But the home side opened the scoring on 61 minutes after Keelan Doherty collected the ball twenty-five yards out and unleashed a powerful effort past Doherty.

Cockhill responded, and Oisin McColgan had an effort saved by Clarke before a Damien Duffy cross found Friel, who headed wide when well placed.

The home side were dangerous on the break, with Matthew Brown advancing on the left but firing over the bar. On 85 minutes, a snapshot from the edge of the area from Friel was well tipped over the bar by Clarke.

Buncrana then broke again, and when Aaron McDaid played a one-two with Bart Wesolowski, his shot cannoned off the bar, but McDaid bundled the rebound home to send the home fans into raptures and clinch the title.