Brian Mc Cormick Area Shield finals took place in several areas across Donegal on Sunday, providing stark entertainment with thrilling encounters happening across the county.
Donegal Town Area
Ballybofey United 4 Donegal Town 4
(Ballybofey won 3-2 on Penalties)
Sunday could have been billed as “Comeback Sunday” in the Donegal Junior League with numerous sides finding their way after falling behind and recovering to earn victories that did not look likely in the early stages of their games.
It was no different at the Finn Valley Complex in Stranorlar where Ballybofey United hosted Donegal Town in the Donegal Area Shield Final.
The men from The Hospital Field planned a raid on the Twin Towns and it looked as if it would be successful when they led by three goals to nil at half-time.
Ballybofey United emerged a different side for the second half however.
Damien Glackin produced an individual goal of the highest quality to get his side moving. He then turned provider when he supplied the ammunition for Jude Patton to score.
Mark Griffin was then fouled in the penalty area and Glackin stepped up to score the spot-kick. Dan O’ Brian then arrived at the back post to put the hosts into the lead and complete almost fairytale-like comeback.
Deep into injury time, very deep, Donegal score to force the game into additional time. No further goals were scored in this period so it went to penalties.
Both sides scored three and missed two of the five in regulation. Donegal then missed their first of Sudden Death.
Gavin Doherty was charged with the responsibility of seeing his side through to the next Round and he did not disappoint as he scored to win the match and give Ballybofey the Donegal Town Area Shield for the first time in their history as they normally compete for the Lifford area Shield.
Is this an occasion of historical note in the League who knows but the finnsiders are now through to the Brian Mc Cormick Cup semi-final.
Lifford Area
Convoy Arsenal 3 Curragh Athletic 2
Garry Brolly opened the scoring for Convoy on the twelfth minute, heading home a cross from Anthony Bogle. Gavin Sweeney equalised for the Curragh two minutes later in an action-packed first half. Paddy Dolan put Convoy ahead again but the lead was short lived as Tim Callaghan found the back of the net for the Curragh leaving the score two all at half-time.
Gavin Sweeney came close to putting the Curragh ahead at the start of the second half forcing a save by Mathew Connolly in the Convoy nets. Convoy took the lead with Sean Rodgers splitting the Curragh defence, crossing to Fergus Carson who slotted home for Convoy’s third goal.
Gavin Sweeney came close to equalising for the Curragh with Mathew Connolly saving again. Garry Brolly and Stephen O’Donnell came close for Convoy in the final minutes and the home side held on to win the Brian Mc Cormick Cup Lifford Area Final.
Gweedore Area
Cranford United 1 Keadue Rovers 2
Cranford went down to a good Keadue side in a game in which Keadue’s keeper pulled off as many as four one on one saves. Keadue started livelily and controlled a lot of the ball but found the Cranford defence hard too break down.
Keadue did break through on 25 minutes after a scramble in the box the Keadue midfielder finished from close range.
Cranford then had two good chances to level but found the Keadue keeper in great form. Cranford would regret those two misses as Keadue doubled their lead after 40 minutes.
Cranford started the second half with high intensity and pegged Keadue back for the majority of the half.
Keelan Mc Groddy got Cranford back into it with a lovely finish from outside the box on 60 minutes.
Chance after chance went by for Cranford with the manager Danny Mc Bride emptying the bench and the subs were making a big impact.
Keadue ended up getting a penalty after a foul in the 75th minute but Jason Hegarty pulled off a great save.
Cranford pushed hard again for the last 15 minutes but just couldn’t get the equaliser.
Tags: