There were 23 goals on the opening afternoon of action in the 2017/18 Ulster Senior League season with an action-packed day in the Donegal News Ulster Senior League cup with home wins for Letterkenny Rovers, Cockhill Celtic and Derry City Reserves.
Letterkenny Rovers 5 Bonagee United 3
Click here to read Chris McNulty’s report from Leckview Park
Cockhill Celtic 8 Swilly Rovers 1
Cockhill started the defence of the league cup with a facile win against willing but limited opponents.
Cockhill were on top from the start and took the lead on 11 minutes when James Bradley played in Mark Coyle who slotted low past Jamie Blaney.
It was two-nil on 20 minutes when Ryan Varma’s free kick from left was headed home by Peter Doherty at the back post.
Cockhill added a third four minutes later when Garbhan Friel converted from the spot after Paul McDermott was upended.
McDermott created the fourth just a minute later as his cross was headed in by Coyle.
William O’Connor was the architect of the fifth as his through ball fed Ronan Doherty, who slotted home.
And it was six at the break when Doherty riffled in from the edge of the box.
To their credit, Swilly regrouped and made it difficult for Cockhill in the second half with Conor Doogan, and Paul Clarke prominent.
On 55 minutes, Friel converted from close range following a defensive mixup to make it 7-0.
On 61 minutes, Swilly got the goal their second half performance deserved when Kennedy Boachie-Ansah coolly slotted past Cullen after being released by Marty McDaid.
Cockhill had the final say on 81 minutes when James Bradley intercepted a pass in midfield before advancing and firing past Blaney.
Derry City Reserves 4 Fanad United 2
Derry City Reserves twice came from behind to defeat Fanad United 4-2 in an entertaining Donegal News League Cup game in Templemore.
Fanad started the stronger and took the lead in the 10th minute when following a marauding run and cross by Keelin McElwaine, Darragh Black finished neatly inside the box. Fanad had a chance to extend the lead 10 minutes later but Kyle Black seen his shot fly just wide.
Derry came back into the game and equalised 2 minutes before the break. After Fanad keeper Dane Dunworth made an outstanding block in the box but the rebound fell to Adam Taggart who finished into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Fanad almost regained the lead immediately when Darragh Black sprung the offside trap only to see his lob over Derry keeper Houghton come back off the crossbar.
At the start of the second half Fanad missed a host of chances to regain the lead. Darragh Black in particular was unlucky after his superb turn and shot went inches wide.
Other chances fell to Kyle Black and Davitt Walsh. Fanad did eventually took the lead in the 75th minute when Matthew Crossan finished into the bottom corner from outside the box.
This goal spurred Derry into life and they equalised two minutes later. After a fine run down the right the ball was played into the box where Mickey Place made no mistake.
Ten minutes from time Derry took the lead when Michael Sweeney capitalised on a slip in the Fanad defence, to run clear and finish past a helpless Dunworth.
In the final minute Derry got their fourth in almost identical circumstances when Dylan Devine scored.
Derry City Reserves: Daniel Houghton, Jack Parke, Matty Doherty, Kieron Farren, Luke Campbell, Paul Doherty, James McIntyre, Adam Taggart, Stephen Duffy, Mickey Place, Matty Doherty.
Fanad United: Dane Dunworth, Conor Blaney, Oisin Langan, Martin McAteer, Matthew Crossan, Tony McNamee, Jordan Toland, Keelin McElwaine, Davitt Walsh, Darragh Black, Kyle Black.
Referee: Marty Quinn.
RESULTS
Donegal News Ulster Senior League Cup Group A
Cockhill Celtic 8 Swilly Rovers 1
Derry City Reserves 4 Fanad United 2
Donegal News Ulster Senior League Cup Group B
Letterkenny Rovers 5 Bonagee United 3
FIXTURES
Sunday, September 10, 2pm
Donegal News Ulster Senior League Cup Group A
Fanad United v Cockhill Celtic
Swilly Rovers v Derry City Reserves
Donegal News Ulster Senior League Cup Group B
Finn Harps Reserves v Letterkenny Rovers
