McLaughlin takes it game by game as Aileach advance to the business end

Emmet McLaughlin was a mixture of relieved and delighted after Aileach saw off Finn Harps Under-21s in Friday night’s Knockalla Caravans Cup quarter-final.

Aileach are the last side standing in the competition from the Inishowen League. Their place in the last four was secured thanks to an extra time winner by Mark McElhinney.

Aileach spurned a series of chances over the 90 minutes and, after a scoreless normal team, the Lakeside men feared that they might be left to rue the missed opportunities.

“We were thinking that it wouldn’t be our night, but the boys kept pushing and playing,” McLaughlin told Donegal Live.

Aileach go the extra bit to defeat Finn Harps U21s in Knockalla Cup

Mark McElhinney scores extra time winner for the Inishowen League side

“We played some good stuff in the second half and we go it wider quicker than we had done in the first half. We created more. We’re delighted with it.”

McElhinney had a big chance at the end of normal time, but was thwarted by a goal-line block from Gareth Bradley.

However, right on the blow of Marty McGarrigle’s whistle at the end of the first period of extra time, McElhinney pounced for the winner.

McLaughlin said: “The boys put in a big effort and I just wanted them to get the goal. It was a bit of relief. It keeps the momentum going for us.

“We’re delighted to get the workout. I though it was a great game and the two teams wanted to play football.

“Harps are technically very good and they made us work hard. We had a few clear cut chances and maybe we should have taken them. We were pushed all the way. It’s another progression for us.”

Aileach saw Dean Curran switch to Dergview of the Irish League’s Championship last month, but their strength in depth was evident on Friday.

Aileach lead the way at the top of the Jackie Crossan Premier Division, albeit on goal difference, and McLaughlin’s men have a game in hand on Greencastle.

Cup competition comes thick and fast, too, with a Buncrana Credit Union Cup semi-final against Gleneely next on the agenda.

McLaughlin said: They have put in a lot of hard work. We’ve a lot to play for. We’re involved in a lot of Cups.

“It’s one game at a time.  If we start to look forward too far, that’s when you can get caught. We take it each game by itself.

“The boys turn up week-in week-out and they’re delivering. The business end of the season is where you want to be. It’s nice to be a part of it at the moment.

“We have some absolute quality players there. We made five changes fairly early in the game and it didn’t change a thing.

“ You have to show trust in your squad. If you don’t have that in boys putting effort in every week, you’re wasting your time.”