Cockhill Celtic moved into their fifth Donegal News USL League Cup final in a row after a strong second-half against Fanad United, while Derry City Reserves came from behind twice and overcame Letterkenny Rovers.
Cockhill Celtic 5 Fanad United 2
At a rain-soaked Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds, Cockhill Celtic side surged to victory against a Fanad side that had momentum pulled from their sails at half-time.
Davitt Walsh leveled things up in the 45th minute, after Gerry Gill’s deft opener early on for the home side but, with Fanad just starting to look as if they might get their noses in front, the half-time whistle allowed Cockhill to shake their heads clear.
The enforced withdrawal of Shaun McElwaine, the Fanad centre-back, right on the blow of the half-time whistle, rocked Fanad, who found themselves 3-1 down by the hour mark.
Ronan Doherty and Gerard McLaughlin netted to put the game beyond Fanad’s reach and penalties late in the game by Gerry Gill and substitute Conor Keddy put a gloss on it before John McGarvey bagged a late consolation for the visitors.
Fanad arrived in Inishowen on the back of a fine 2-1 win over Derry City Reserves on Thursday night that confirmed their advancement into this semi-final.
Cockhill hit the front after just four minutes.
Ronan Doherty’s teasing cross was deflected past Shane Graham, the Fanad goalkeeper, by Gerry Gill, though it had initially been claimed that the ball had changed course having connected with a Fanad defender.
Fanad came into the tie and Matthew Crossan teed up Marty McAteer, but the veteran midfielder was denied by player-manager Cullen.
Crossan had a go himself, but had too much elevation on a long-range attempt.
Gill curled a free-kick wide but the contest sprung to life when Cullen raced from his goal to stop Daire McDaid equalising after Seamus Friel’s free was headed back in by McElwaine.
Fanad got the goal their endeavours deserved as Crossan’s free was touched back to Walsh by Eunan Kelly. Walsh’s attempt was true and found the bottom corner.
Game on.
As they had done in the first half, Cockhill wasted little time in getting a goal in the second half and Doherty profited from a little good fortune, but he steered home and Cockhill were in front again.
On 59 minutes, it was 3-1 with the goal of the game. Doherty’s wonderful, curling cross was brilliantly headed past Graham by McLaughlin.
When Derek Doherty went to ground, referee Marty Quinn pointed to the spot and Gill stroked home.
It was a carbon copy soon after as Keddy won and then scored the penalty to put daylight in it and McGarvey’s 90th minute strike would prove a footnote to the tale as Cockhill reached a fifth successive final, having won the last four.
Cockhill Celtic: Gavin Cullen; Jason Breslin, Peter Doherty, Oisin McColgan, Christopher Duffy; Derek Doherty, Gerard McLaughlin, Ryan Varma, Ronan Doherty; Garbhan Friel, Gerry Gill. Subs: Conor Keddy for Friel (69), Mark Moran for R.Doherty (75), Darragh McDermott for Varma (84), James McGonagle for D.Doherty (84), Daniel Martin Doherty for Gill (85).
Fanad United: Shane Graham; Conor Blaney, Seamus ‘Coshia’ Friel, Shaun McElwaine, Oisin Langan; Marty McAteer, Matthew Crossan, Declan McGarvey, Daire McDaid; Davitt Walsh, Eunan Kelly. Subs: Keelin McElwaine for S.Elwaine (45), John McGarvey for D.McGarvey (65), Darren McElwaine for Walsh (85), Peter Curran for McAteer (85).
Referee: Marty Quinn.
Derry City Reserves 3 Letterkenny Rovers 2 (after extra time)
Derry City Reserves booked their place in a first Donegal News USL Cup final in seven years as Paul Doherty’s extra-time winner completed a great escape by the Candystripes at Oakland Park.
Letterkenny Rovers 2-0, but Eamon McConigley’s side were cursing one that got away as Derry hit back and Doherty’s winner fires them into a final meeting with Cockhill Celtic.
Doherty turned home after a close-range effort had been turned onto the post by Letterkenny goalkeeper Chris Sweeney.
After a scoreless first half, Paul McVeigh fired Letterkenny in front as his shot squirmed under Mark McElhinney, the Derry goalkeeper.
It was 2-0 when Kevin McGrath slotted home a rebound after being denied by McElhinney.
Derry got a goal back when, after Sweeney fouled Adrian Delap, Connor Gormley slotted home from a penalty.
Delap was on the mark for a dramatic equaliser and Derry won it when Doherty pounced in extra time.
Derry City Reserves: Mark McElhinney, Paul Doherty, Sam Todd, Connor Gormley, Matt Doherty, Dean Power, Matty Doherty, Stephen Duffy, Adrian Delap, Shane McNamee, Sean McBride. Subs: Reece McDermott, Lee McColgan, Denver Kelly.
Letterkenny Rovers: Chris Sweeney, Ryan Lonergan, Lee Toland, Conor Tourish, Paul Boyle, Chris Flanagan, Dean O’Donnell, Kevin McGrath, Paul McVeigh, Christy Connaghan, Odhrán McMacken. Sub: Steve Okakpu-Emeka, Brian McVeigh, David O’Donnell.
RESULTS
Thursday
Donegal News USL League Cup Group B
Fanad United 2 Derry City Reserves 1
Sunday
Donegal News USL League Cup semi-finals
Cockhill Celtic 5 Fanad United 2
Derry City 3 Letterkenny Rovers 2 (after extra-time)
FIXTURES
Four Lanterns Ulster Senior League
Sunday, February 26, 2pm
Cockhill Celtic v Bonagee United
Fanad United v Derry City Reserves
Finn Harps Reserves v Swilly Rovers
