Donegal Daily
  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Features
  • Donegal County Council News
Wednesday 16°CThursday 14°C

Donegal Daily Donegal Daily

sponsor banner
sponsor banner
  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Politics
  • Features
  • Donegal County Council News
Football

USL – Friel double keeps Cockhill Celtic on track

written by Chris McNulty January 5, 2020
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint

GARBHAN FRIEL, back from Dubai, was on the double as Cockhill Celtic began 2020 on a winning note against Finn Harps Reserves in the bmcsports.ie Ulster Senior League.

Cockhill Celtic 4 Finn Harps Reserves 2

Cockhill cemented their place at the top of the USL with a hard fought victory in a match which was an excellent advert fir the league.

The match started at a frantic pace with both teams looking to attack.

Harps had the first chance on tour minutes when a Corey McBride corner was volleyed over by Darragh Ellison. 

On nine minutes a Ronan Doherty free kick from the left found Garbhan Friel at the back post but his header from an acute angle was straight at Adrian McLaughlin who parried away. 

Cockhill were first to the clearance and a James Bradley snapshot from the edge of the box hit the inside of the Harps post before being cleared.

Harps should have broken the deadlock on 13 when Gabby Aoukala beat the offside trap and rounded Eoghan Jordan but his goalbound effort was brilliantly blocked by Oisin McColgan.

They had another chance on 25 when Luke Rudden found space in the Cockhill box but his low shot was well blocked by Jordan.

The home side took the lead three minutes against the run of play when a Harps corner was cleared to Mark Moran in the centre circle.

 He released Laurence Toland who was fouled by McLaughlin resulting in a penalty which was expertly converted by Cathal Farren.

Harps responded almost instantly. A throw in on the left resulted in a cross finding Corey McBride on the right side of the Cockhill box. McBride fired a brilliant shot to the top corner to level matters.

Cockhill regained the lead on 39 minutes. Ronan Doherty gained possession in midfield and found Farren who played a great ball to Friel on the left. Friel squared up the defender before firing low past McLaughlin.

The second half started scrappily with neither side able to force a chance of note. 

Cockhill almost had a third goal on the hour when a Lee McColgan corner found Friel but his header was parried and Toland’s follow-up was cleared.

Harps were level for the second time on 66 minutes. They had possession in the right corner when the ball found McBride. His cross-shot landing in the far corner of the net.

Cockhill went again and went ahead for the third time on 72. An attack was cleared to the right hand side where James Bradley dug out a fantastic cross which left Friel with a simple headed finish and he made no mistake. 

Cockhill were on top now but Harps were dangerous on the counter so relief greeted Cockhill’s fourth goal on 88 minutes.

Jason Breslin stepped into midfield to intercept a Harps attack. He found Stephen Duffy who swivelled and fired low past McLaughlin from the edge if the box.

USL – Friel double keeps Cockhill Celtic on track was last modified: January 5th, 2020 by Chris McNulty
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint
Chris McNulty

Author of 'Boxing In Donegal: A History (2021)' - the definitive history of the sport in County Donegal - and 'Relentless: A Race Through Time', the 2019 memoir of former Irish Athletics Team Manager Patsy McGonagle. From St Johnston and now based in Letterkenny, Chris was a nominee for NUJ Sports Journalist of the Year in 2010. Honoured by the Donegal Boxing Board in 2016 for his coverage on the sport.

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Finn Harps graduates Cunningham and McGranaghan sign...

2 days ago

Picture Special: Tiktokkers Tadhg and Derry Fleming...

2 days ago

Donegal Women’s League – this week’s match...

3 days ago

Harps’ Joel Thompson presented with Donegal jersey...

4 days ago

Lomboto goal works a ‘treat’ for Finn...

5 days ago

Seamus Coleman signs one year deal at...

5 days ago

Barrett and Toland star for Ireland but...

5 days ago

Finn Harps inflict Dundalk’s first defeat of...

1 week ago

This week’s highlights from the Donegal Women’s...

1 week ago

Harps held to scoreless draw by bottom...

2 weeks ago
Advertisement
Advertisement

Donegal County Council

Facebook
Donegal County Council
Advertisement
Advertisement
Donegal Daily Jobs

Read More

  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Sales & Services
  • Obituaries
  • Features
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Council News

Information

  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise WIth Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions

Our Sites

Donegal Woman
Donegal Woman
Donegal Daily

© 2025 Donegal Daily. All rights reserved.
Website by owenod


Back To Top.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy