Convoy Arsenal snatch a late draw away to Ballybofey United

A late Evan MacBride corner was enough to salvage a draw for Convoy Arsenal against Ballybofey United in Dreenan.

It was a first point of the season for the home side in Division 1, but they would have been disappointed not to see out the game after Andrew and Niall McCloskey both scored from Kieran Thompson corners to give them the lead at half-time.

But Convoy, who took the lead through John Moore, got back on track after an opening day win, which then saw three defeats on the bounce before Sunday’s draw.

Substitute MacBride’s inswinging delivery on 88 minutes went right over Ballybofey's under pressure keeper Odhran Bonar and into the top corner for a share of the spoils.

The first chance of the game fell for the hosts as an early Aaron McAuley free was saved by Luke Kelly, but soon after, Convoy took the lead.

It was just on the quarter of an hour mark as a throw-in was headed out to John Moore from nearly 25 yards, and he pinged the ball straight into the bottom left corner. 

But it took just five minutes for an equaliser as Kieran Thompson’s corner to the back post was met by a diving header from Andrew McCloskey, who found the net.

Convoy had a chance to retake the lead when Fionn Hennigan’s long ball forward split the defence and Oran Paterson got in one-on-one with Odhran Bonar, but he took a poor touch and Bonar dealt with the danger.

PH Bonar’s side threatened next with a McAuley free moving in the air, forcing Kelly to spill it down and with Andrew and Niall McCloskey both getting a foot to the ball, Kelly gratefully grasped the backheel attempt from the latter.

Calvin Bradley dragged a shot wide after good play from Paterson, while McAuley had another free, this time from 30 yards, come off the angle and go wide.

Straight after that, it was Paterson again who threatened as he cut in from the right and curled an effort towards the far corner, but Josh McMenamin’s slide prevented what looked like a certain goal.

But the home side took the lead five minutes before the break as an inswinger from Thompson towards the penalty spot was met by the boot of Niall McCloskey, who guided it into the bottom left corner.

Chances were fewer after the restart, but as Jamie O’Donnell dispossessed McCloskey high up, he had an effort to level, but he curled well wide. 

Ballybofey should have then extended their advantage on the hour mark as a Thompson deft flick to Noah Reid left him one-on-one, but Kelly saved the effort going towards the near post.

Thompson then had two efforts, a free held by Kelly before he curled wide, while Convoy started looking dangerous from set pieces, but Bonar punched clear from two.

Calvin Bradley had a free from long range go just wide, while substitute Ryan McGroarty had the ball in the net after a good counter involving Aiden Boal, but Liam McLaughlin signalled for offside.

READ NEXT: Leah McGonagle hat-trick spurs Clonmany Shamrocks to Women’s Interleague success

They almost got their leveller moments later as Paterson’s free from near the halfway line was headed on by John A Kee, but a brilliant save from Bonar kept his side ahead.

But they did eventually get the equaliser two minutes from time as Ballybofey gave away a cheap corner and Evan MacBride’s inswinging corner went over Bonar and straight into the top corner.

Convoy then almost took the victory in added time as Boal had a cross come off the post, while Kee headed over from a Paterson corner, but the game ended as a draw.

Ballybofey United: Odhran Bonar; Adam McCullagh, Bobby Hennigan, Joshua McMenamin, Diarmuid O’Donnell; Kieran Thompson (Cian Thompson 87), Andrew McCloskey, Oran Gallen, Noah Reid; Aaron McAuley (Mark Griffin 78), Niall McCloskey.

Convoy Arsenal: Luke Kelly; Darren Harvey, John A Kee, James Wilson, Fionn Hennigan (Evan MacBride 61); Aiden Boal, Lee Smyth (Jamie Spratt 77), John Moore, Jamie O’Donnell (Ryan McGroarty 65); Oran Paterson, Calvin Bradley.

Referee: Liam McLaughlin.