Daire McDaid struck twice to fire Kilmacrennan Celtic to a win over Castlefin Celtic that sees the Lurgy men go to the top of the Donegal League Premier Division.
Castlefin Celtic 1 Kilmacrennan Celtic 2
By Charlie Collins at Parkview
McDaid hit a goal in either half, either side of a JP Malley goal for Castlefin, as Kilmac assume the role of league leaders this week.
McDaid opened the scoring in some style on 20 minutes. He worked a corner with James Doherty, taking a return pass from the former Finn Harps man before bending a majestic effort past Chris O’Donnell and into the top corner.
There had been chances at either end before that with Ronan Tourish going wide with an early free and McDaid being denied by O’Donnell.
Kilmacrennan have recently signed former Finn Harps player and manager James Gallagher and the ex-Celtic youth goalkeeper showed that he has lost none of his old powers with a superb save in the 38th minute.
Corrie Lee Bogan’s show took a wicked deflection and seemed destined for the top corner, but Gallagher brilliantly kept it out.
Castlefin, however, did draw level when Barry Tourish’s pile-driver hit the bar, but Malley followed up to net the rebound.
Kilmac had a big chance early in the second half, but O’Donnell saved from Daire McDaid’s over-head kick and the follow-up, by Caolan McDaid, was kept out.
Kilmac hit the front on the 58th minute as Daire McDaid hammered home from Whoriskey’s probing cross.
Castlefin Celtic
Aiden Sweeney shot at O’Donnell as Kilmac turned the screw now while McDaid hit the bar with a chance to seal a memorable hat-trick.
Caolan McDaid was sent off 11 minutes from the end following a clash with Michael Dunnion that earned both players a yellow and, in the case of McDaid, the Kilmac man’s second of the afternoon.
Castlefin rallied and dominated the closing exchanges, but Raymond Foy headed narrowly over, Foy riffled over the top with another chance and sub Marty Owens couldn’t keep a last-gasp effort down.
Castlefin Celtic: Chris O’Donnell, Gary McNulty, Barry Tourish, Michael Dunnion, Peter Bryson, Johnny Doherty, Corrie Lee Bogan, Raymond Foy, JP Malley, Ronan Tourish, Emmet White. Subs: Shane Gallagher for R.Tourish (47), Marty Owens for White (64), Keith Nelis for McNulty (92).
Kilmacrennan Celtic: James Gallagher, James Doherty, John Sandilands, Declan O’Donnell, Aiden Sweeney, Mark Friel, Seami ‘Nanny’ Friel, Gary Whoriskey, Caolan McDaid, Daire McDaid, Enda McCormick. Sub: Daniel McLaughlin for Sweeney (72).
Referee: Liam McLaughlin
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