Carn FC U16s seal league and cup double with victory over Dunree/Illies

Carn FC clinched the U16 league and cup double with this 2-0 win over Dunree/Illies in the Inishowen Youth and Schoolboys U16A Cup final.

Goals in either half from Kyrin Doherty and Tiernan Diver gave the Carn team, who were managed by Daniel McDaid and Dayton Cooke, the win, although the two goal margin is somewhat harsh on a Dunree side who played some excellent football in the second half.

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Dunree, managed by Kevin Doherty and Cian Moran, had won the Inishowen Division 2 league a fortnight earlier and took some time to get into their stride.

Division 1 champions Carn dominated the opening quarter, with Aaron Doherty, Tiernan Diver and Rian O’Donnell all testing Christian Jackson before referee Sean McDaid called a water break on a warm evening at Maginn Park.

Jack Lynch headed just over from a Conor Spence corner kick for Dunree’s first chance of note soon after play resumed.

Carn’s pressure eventually told and after the Dunree defence failed to deal with a ball into the box, Kyrin Doherty poked home the opening goal in the 28th minute.

Five minutes later, Rian O’Donnell won a penalty for Carn but Tiernan Diver’s spot kick was well saved by Christian Jackson to keep the contest very much alive.

The close control and trickery of Conor Spence was causing Carn problems and the midfielder threaded a ball into the path of Kai Gallanagh just before the interval, but the Dunree winger was crowded out as he closed in on goal.

Carn captain Tiernan Diver accepts the cup from match referee Sean McDaid

Dunree’s midfield and attacking play was much improved in the second half. Damhán Dowds had their best chance, striking narrowly wide after being teed up by Gallanagh who cut in from the left nine minutes in.

They continued to probe and test the Carn defence, where Gavin Farren and Keith Callaghan stood strong.

Carn’s second goal came 20 minutes into the second half when, out of nothing, Tiernan Diver unleashed a powerful strike from 25 yards that rocketed to the net. It was a tremendous finish from the Carn captain, one worthy of being the winner in any final.

Two down, Dunree kept on the front foot. Spence, who turned in a man-of-the-match performance from the centre of midfield, struck the post and Andrew McLaughlin headed narrowly over from a late corner kick.

Carn, though, weren’t to be denied and saw the game out to clinch a well deserved league and cup double.

Carndonagh: Oisin Curran; Aaron Doherty, Gavin Farren, Josh Walsh, Keith Callaghan; Morgan McDaid, Danny O’Brien, Kyrin Doherty, Tiernan Diver; Rian O’Donnell, Kayden McCloskey. Subs used: Cameron McLoughlin, Tristan McLaughlin.

Dunree/Illies: Christian Jackson; Shane Kelly, Andrew McLaughlin, Conal Lavery, Shane Lavery; Damhán Dowds, Pauric Doherty, Conor Spence, Kai Gallanagh; Danny Doherty, Jack Lynch. Subs used: Oisin McDaid, Daire Doherty.

Referee: Sean McDaid (Cockhill)