KILMACRENNAN Celtic spurned the chance to capture the Donegal League Premier Division title as Castlefin Celtic stayed in the glory trail with a big win at the Letterkenny Community Centre.
Kilmacrennan Celtic 0 Castlefin Celtic 3
A win for Kilmacrennan and a victory for Kildrum Tigers over Cappry Rovers would’ve sealed the deal for Kilmac. While Kevin McHugh’s brace helped Kildrum beat Cappry 2-1 in St Johnston, Kilmacrennan were soundly beaten as Emmet White, Gary McNulty and Ian Ward netted in a fine win for Castlefin.
The home side almost got the perfect start in the third minute when Chris Flanagan intercepted Corrie Lee Bogan’s misplaced pass and put Mark Friel racing through, the midfielder could have taken on the shot but decided to pass to the well placed Seami Friel who tapped the ball home but was deemed to be just off-side. It was a marginal decision but the linesman was perfectly place to call it.
It took the visitors a little time to settle but they did and came well into the game.
Castlefin Celtic almost snatched the lead in the 16th minute. Full-back Gary McNulty whipped a dangerous ball into the Kilmacrennan box and Ronan Tourish was just short of getting a vital touch near the penalty spot.
A minute later the home side forced a corner on the left. Christopher Dillon found Kieran Gorman beyond the far post, he headed it back across the six yard line for Kevin O Donnell who’s volley was just over the bar.
Play continued to be very evenly contested and it was the 32nd minute before we had another reasonable goal chance when Emmet White’s excellent cross only needed a final touch.
Six minutes later the visitors took the lead. Corrie Lee Bogan’s through ball looked to under the control of the defence but a poor clearance was picked up by Ronan Tourish and his low cross to the far post was flicked home by Emmet White.
Just before the break Kilmacrennan built well down the left, Terence Shields cross found Kevin O’Donnell but his header was comfortably held by Chris O’Donnell and Castlefin Celtic led 0-1 at half-time.
The opening fifteen minutes of the second-half was devoid of goal chances and then Christopher Dillon slipped Seami Friel through but the offside flag again ruled out his excellent finish.
At the midway water-break of the second-half it was still 0-1 to Castlefin Celtic and with Cappry Rovers drawing 1-1 against Kildrum Tigers at the same time, the destiny of the Premier League title was still very much in the melting pot.
In the 75th minute sub Michael McLaughlin’s corner found the head of Seami Friel but Chris O’Donnell made a super save with his feet to deny him. That proved vital in the 82nd minute when Corrie Lee Bogan’s long pass found sub Lee McLaughlin and his cross was brilliantly volleyed to the top corner by full-back Gary McNulty, a super strike .
Castlefin rounded off this impressive win with a third goal deep in injury/time when Aaron O Hagan found Ian Ward and his intended cross deceived keeper McBride and ended up in the net .
Defeat for the league leaders but Kevin McHugh’s double strike for Kildrum Tigers in their 2-1 defeat of Cappry Rovers means that victory over Drumkeen in their final game will Still give Kilmacrennan Celtic the title.
Kilmacrennan Celtic: Liam McBride, James Doherty, John Sandilands, Ryan Shields, Kieran Gorman (Gary Gorman 83), Mark Friel, Terence Shields (Timmy Burke 58), Chris Flanagan (Gerard McGranaghan 35 (Jason Doherty 83)), Seamus Friel, Christopher Dillon, Kevin O’Donnell (Michael McLaughlin 77).
Castlefin Celtic: Chris O’Donnell, Gary McNulty, Stephen Roulstone (Dylan McNamee 90) , Michael Dunnion, Aaron O’Hagan, Brian Dooher (Paddy O’Loan 85), Chris Bryson (Lee Kennedy 80), Corrie Lee Bogan, Ian Ward, Ronan Tourish (Lee McLaughlin 64), Emmet White.
Referee: Liam McLaughlin.
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