O'Reilly goal sends Donegal through in Oscar Traynor Cup against Inishowen

A close range rebound from Eddie O’Reilly was enough for the Donegal Junior League to defeat Inishowen and advance to the national stage of the Oscar Traynor Cup in Maginn Park.

Eamonn Sheridan’s side boasted a 3-2 lead from the first leg in Ballyare, and with chances at a premium in a first half with very few chances, they still had that advantage at the break.

But Fanad United man O’Reilly was in the right place at the right time on 67 minutes as he knocked in a rebound after his club mate, Paddy Carr, had a header hit the crossbar.

Ronan McHugh should have extended their lead soon after, but the visitors were full value for their win to go into the semi-finals of the competition.

Chances were limited during the first half in the windy conditions, Odhran O’Brien Daly heading wide from a Damian Duffy free, while Gareth Harkin’s free kick from 20 yards hit the wall.

Conor Graham was booked for that foul, the first of three first half yellow cards, along with Luke Rudden and Ryan Shields.

Duffy had a couple of crosses threaten Donegal, one going just wide, while Donegal had the ball in the net after Harkin found Eddie O’Reilly on the left and he squared the ball to Ronan McHugh who scored, but he was flagged for offside.

A quick free from Harkin to O’Reilly saw his cross find Paddy Carr, but his header was tame as the sides went in level in an uneventful first half.

The second half had a few more chances, Carr having a header parried wide by Taylor Clarke, while a cross from Lee McColgan saw Friel challenge for the ball, and as it went goalwards, O’Reilly cleared off the line.

Inishowen then had the ball in the net as Duffy crossed, and with Michael Lynch coming out to claim, the ball fell to Garbhan Friel, but a foul on Lynch was blown as he struck the net.

But Donegal did go ahead with 25 to play, a free from Brendan McCafferty was met by a looping header from Carr.

His effort struck the underside of the crossbar, falling invitingly for O’Reilly for a simple finish.

They should have gone two ahead soon after as Harkin won possession high up and he played in Shane McGinty for a three on two, with the Kildrum man squaring for Ronan McHugh with an open net, but he got underneath the ball and fired over the bar.

Donegal continued to create, Carr flashing an effort wide as substitute Simon McGlynn fired over from distance in added time, but the one goal was enough for the win.

Inishowen League: Taylor Clarke; Lee McLaughlin, Peter Doherty, Odhran O’Brien Daly (Kevin O’Loughlin 59), Lee McColgan (Shaun Curran 83); Jay Bradley (Tiernan Ruddy 56), Damian Duffy, Conor Graham (Jamie McKinney 83), Luke Rudden, Sean O’Donnell (Caolan Doherty 83); Garbhan Friel.

Donegal Junior League: Michael Lynch; Seamus Friel, Keenan Diver, Ryan Shields, Brendan McCafferty; Aidan Brennan (Jack Parke 62), Gareth Harkin, Paddy Carr, Shane McGinty, Eddie O’Reilly (Adrian Delap 85); Ronan McHugh (Simon McGlynn 83)

Referee: Edward McNamee.