Bonagee United and Cockhill Celtic booked their spots in the third round of the FAI Intermediate Cup after wins over Fanad United and Swilly Rovers.
At Triagh-A-Locha, Francesco Crisco and Seamus Brown netted in a 2-1 win for Bonagee while Ronan ‘Olly’ Doherty bagged a hat-trick as Cockhill claimed a big 7-0 win at home.
Fanad United 1 Bonagee United 2
BONAGEE UNITED advanced to the national stage of the FAI Intermediate Cup after getting the better of Fanad United at Triagh-A-Locha.
Francesco Crisco and Seamus Brown bagged the goals for Peter Moran’s team, who just had enough firepower to see off the two-time Intermediate winners.
Fanad’s powers mightn’t be at their once-formiddable levels, but under Arthur Lynch they have lost none of their spirit and John McGarvey’s goal nine minutes from time gave the home side hope.
They couldn’t find a second way through to force extra-time and their cause wasn’t helped by the dismissal of Seamus ‘Coshia’ Friel just moments after his introduction.
For long periods it seemed as if the opening goal, by Italian Crisco on 42 minutes, might well have been decider.
Shane O’Doherty’s inch-perfect corner invited Crisco to have a go and he drilled a wonderful first-time effort across Shane Graham and into the far corner from 15 yards.
Having found space, and just enough time, in the box, Crisco’s finish was expert.
Their second arrived in the 80th minute and it, too, was a work of art, substitute Brown turning and hooking over ‘keeper Graham with the deftest of touches. Graham attempted to claw away, but assistant referee Paul Duddy was well positioned to award the goal.
A minute later, McGarvey turned home from close range after getting on the end of a cross by Killian Gallagher and it was game on.
However, Fanad’s hopes of a comeback were dealt a blow when Friel was given his marching orders, handed a straight red card by referee Packie Coll for his part in an incident involving the Bonagee goalkeeper Gareth Wade.
Try as they might and, as is their wont, Fanad certainly dug deep in the closing minutes, but Bonagee held firm.
Early in the game, Crisco saw a thumping effort deflect wide, while Aidan McCauley stung Graham into action with a teasing free.
Martin McElhinney, the Donegal Gaelic footballer, who has recently signed for Fanad, warmed the palsm of Wade from distance and Aidan McLaughlin almost got in for the lead goal, but his shot was palmed out by Graham.
Crisco soon had Bonagee on their way – to the win and into the next round – with Brown’s goal giving them sufficient breathing space in a keenly-contested affair.
Fanad United: Shane Graham; Seamus ‘Nanny’ Friel, Shaun McElwaine, Kieran Gorman, Conor Blaney; Kelan McElwaine, Matthew Crossan, Martin McElhinney, Eoghan Rafferty; John McGarvey, Marty McAteer. Subs: Killian Gallagher for Rafferty (50), Seamus ‘Coshia’ Friel for Blaney (83).
Bonagee United: Gareth Wade; Taylor Russell, Gareth Breslin, Darek Frankowski, Gareth Breslin; Francesco Crisco, Aidan McCauley, Chris Moran, Shane O’Doherty; Jamie Lynagh; Aidan McLaughlin. Sub: Seamus Brown for O’Diherty (79).
Referee: Packie Coll.
Cockhill Celtic 7 Swilly Rovers 0
COCKHILL CELTIC RAN in seven second-half goals to inflict a heavy defeat on Swilly Rovers and advance in the FAI Intermediate Cup at the Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds.
Ronan ‘Olly’ Doherty netted a hat-trick for Gavin Cullen’s men, who poured in the goals in a deadly second half.
Cockhill came close in the eighth minute. Conor Keddy found space on right, but his cross-cum-shot evaded evertone.
Swilly were dealt a blow when Jordan Toland had to be replaced through injury after just 23 minutes and a scrappy first half ended scoreless, although Mark Moran did riffle over late in the half.
Cullen’s half time team talk had immediate effect with Cockhill taking the lead in the first minute of the second half, Keddy’s cross headed in at the far post by Doherty with only 23 seconds gone.
It was two-nil on 48 minutes when Gerry Gill advanced through midfield and his cross headed home by Moran.
Swilly were shell-shocked and it was three on 56 minutes, Doherty slotting home inside the box with Gill again providing the assist.
Swilly’s effort continued with Mikey Sweeney firing over after good work from Kyle Burke and Laurence Toland hit the post with a deflected effort.
Cockhill were ruthlessly punishing Swilly on the break and added two goals in three minutes midway through the half.
Both goals featured intricate interplay involving Gerard McLaughlin and Gill, with Moran converting the fourth and Jimmy Bradley finishing for a 5-0 lead.
The remainder of the match was played at a stroll with Doherty completing his hat trick with a fantastic curled shot on 72 minutes and the seventh came on 86 minutes when Gill’s shot was brilliantly saved by Caolan Bolton but rebounded off a defender and in.
Cockhill Celtic: Harry Doherty; Paul McDermott, Peter Doherty, Oisin McColgan, Jason Breslin; Gerry Gill, James Bradley, Conor Keddy, Ronan Doherty; Gerard McLaughlin, Mark Moran. Subs: Daniel Martin Doherty for McLaughlin (63), Paul McKinney for Gill (63), Darren Coyle for Keddy (70), William O’Connor for McColgan (75).
Swilly Rovers: Caolan Bolton; Dylan Hegarty, Shay Durning, Dan O’Donnell, Shaun Crossan; Ryan Toland, Marty McDaid, Jordan Toland, Brandon Wilkie; Ricky Fisher, Laurence Toland. Subs: Duncan Patterson for J.Toland (23), Paul Bradley for McDaid (45), Mikey Sweeney for R.Toland (54), Glen McElhinney for Wilkie (70), Daire Crossan for Fisher (75).
Referee: Marty Quinn.