Aileach FC in search of Knockalla Cup glory

Aileach look to bridge a 13-year gap when the Lakesiders take to Thursday evening’s Knockalla Caravans Senior Cup final.

Emmet McLaughlin’s side face Ulster Senior League outfit Bonagee United at Maginn Park (kick-off 7pm).

Aileach, narrow runners-up in the Jackie Crossan Premier Division this season, are aiming to be the first junior team since Clonmany Shamrocks in 2009 to win the Knockalla. Kildrum Tigers of the Donegal League broke the mould for junior teams in 1998 when upsetting Fanad United in the final.

Since then, Carndonagh and Clonmany added their names to the roll of honour, but not since Clonmany’s 3-1 win over Fanad in 1999 has the crown been won by a junior side.

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“It would be massive,” McLaughlin told Donegal Live. “It’s brilliant to be involved in this final. The opposition here is a lot stronger and it’s a testament to the work these lads have put in over the years.

“The boys have been ultra consistent and they fully deserve to be here.”

USL sides Finn Harps Under-21s and Monaghan United were put to the sword by Aileach, who saw off Kildrum in their semi-final.

“We know we’re up against it,” McLaughlin said.

“Bonagee are at the upper end of intermediate football and are competing in big games week-in, week-out. We have to raise the bar here and test ourselves. It’s just another challenge and we have to get up for it.

“It hasn’t been an easy run for the final so we’re used to this now.”

Ethan Canning, who missed the 4-3 semi-final win over Kildrum, is back in contention for the final.

A Shane McMonagle brace and goals from Gavin Doherty and Aaron Nash had them 4-1 up against Kildrum. Their supporters had to watch through the gaps in their fingers as Kildrum scored two late goals to rock Aileach.

Aileach's Tommy McMonagle, seen here accepting the Buncrana Credit Union Cup in 2020, is a former Bonagee United player.

That was just three days after Aileach lost the Ulster Junior Cup on penalties to Buncrana Hearts, having been 3-1 ahead.

McLaughlin said: “That week was just hectic after the final. We had to pick them up and the Wednesday night was just about getting a result. The end of the game was mayhem. We tired a good bit in the last ten minutes, but we should have been able to manage the game better than we did. We looked comfortable at 4-1, but we let them back into it.”

Aileach players Tommy McMonagle and Darren McMonagle spent some time at Bonagee in recent seasons before returning home.

Bonagee claimed silverware on Friday night, defeating Maiden City 3-2 in Newbuildings to win the inaugural North West of Ulster Intermediate Cup. The Dry Arch side, managed by Jason Gibson, also have the USL League Cup final, against Monaghan United, to come.

“Finals can change very quickly and we just have to be ready for whatever Bonagee come at us with,” McLaughlin said.

“There’ll be no big surprises, the two teams know each other pretty well. You can make plans for finals, between formations, tactics ad what not, but once they go across the line, it’s all about the players going and performing.”