With the league almost finished up for the Christmas break, this weekends fixtures are all previously postponed games.
The results and reports of last weekends games are as follows:
Sunday 12th December
Knockalla Caravans Cup
Finn Harps Res 1 Buncrana Hearts 0
In a tight encounter of few chances Kieran McDaid for the Buncrana side saw a goal bound effort well blocked by a defender on 22 minutes. Ten minutes later they had another chance when Darrach O’Connor advanced and unleashed a fine shot which saw Paddy McGarvey in the Harps goal produce a superb save.
The game was held up then after an unfortunate clash of heads which saw two players being replaced and Rory Kelly taking over in goals for Buncrana. Buncrana forced a couple of corners at the start of the second half and from one Kevin O’Loughlin headed narrowly over.
Harps came well into the game then and in a quick break Luke Rudden released Jamie Harris but he delayed and the chance was lost. They struck for the winner on 82 minutes and it was a goal worthy of winning any game. Harris collected possession and advanced to unleash a twenty five yards effort which flew into the top corner giving Kelly no chance.
Buncrana had one late chance to force extra time when a Shane Dillon header was brilliantly saved by McGarvey as Harps advance to the next round.
Cockhill Celtic 1 Glengad United 0
Cockhill advanced to the next round of the Knockalla Caravans Senior Cup with a hard fought victory over Glengad Utd on Saturday afternoon.It looked like it would be a routine victory when the home side hit the front after only four
minutes. Garbhan Friel gained possession just outside the ‘D’ before evading a challenge and firing low past Daniel Mullarkey.
It was almost two nil on 11minutes when Friel won the ball and advanced into the Glengad box.
Mullarkey reacted quickly to tackle and, when the ball looped up, Friel’s header was cleared off the line.Glengad had settled and worked a half chance after James McKinney’s pressure forced Jamie Bell into a rushed clearance
which McKinney deflected wide of the target.
The remainder of the half saw Cockhill have the majority of possession without creating many clear opportunities, Mullarkey dealing capably with shots from distance from Fionn McClure and Stephen Duffy. The second half started with a half chance for the home side. A one-two between Christy McLaughlin and Friel released McLaughlin down the right. His cross was half cleared, and when Friel looked set to shoot Matthew Byrne was there with a saving tackle.
A similar passage of play at the other end saw great holdup play by Terence Doherty create an opportunity for Glengad to get bodies in the box. But just as it looked like falling for McKinney, James Bradley was there with a vital interception. Cockhill pressed for a second in the closing stages with substitutes Mark Moran and Corey McBride going close but the early goal proved decisive as the home side advanced.
Aileach FC 3 Monaghan United 1
League champions and current premier league leaders Aileach are the sole Inishowen representatives remaining in the Knockalla cup this weekend after this deserved win over Ulster Senior League side Monaghan at Lakeside.
The home side took the lead on 15 minutes when a corner from the right was cleared and Shane McMonagle picked the ball up in midfield and found Dermot Doherty wide on the left and his cross found its way to Mark McElhinney who poked the ball home from 6 yards passed Jason Allister in the Monaghan goal.
On 25 minutes good work down the right between Dermot Doherty and Caoimhghin McFeeley resulted in Caolan Doherty finding space 25 yards from goal and he unleashed a fierce left foot drive which just cleared the Monaghan bar. As half time approached, Killian O’Rourke latched onto a Gavin Doherty through ball and Jason Allister did well to get a hand to his side foot effort from 12 yards and turn it around the post.
The away side began to force the issue a bit more at the beginning of the second half and Kevin Loughron made progress down the right and cut inside but his effort was wayward. On 55 minutes, the home side doubled their lead when McFeeley played in Caolan Doherty and he finished well under pressure low passed Allister. With Monaghan pushing even more men forward the break was always on for Aileach and on the hour Doherty got his second when he broke the offside trap and raced clear to side foot passed Allister from 12 yards.
On 65 minutes Monaghan pulled a goal back when substitute Jake Power picked the ball up on the left edge of the box and curled a fine effort into the top corner passed Darragh McLaughlin’s despairing dive. This gave the away side a glimmer of hope and they forced the issue for the next 10 minutes but failed to make more inroads and Aileach missed numerous opportunities to stretch their lead on the break and eventually ran out comfortable winners.
Bonagee United 4 Greencastle FC 2
Bonagee blitzed Greencastle with a Dean Larkin hat trick in the opening twenty minutes to effectively end the game as a contest. Larkin opened the scoring in the 11th minutes when he turned the ball home from close range after Patrick
Quigley had parried a Tony McNamee free kick.
Minutes later the same player made it two nil when he slid the ball home after Michael Funston had pulled the ball back into his path. He then completed his hat trick on 21 minutes when Jack Parke split the Greencastle defence for Larkin to lob the advancing Quigley. Greencastle , when in possession , showed good quality in their passing and movement and reduced the deficit on 47 minutes with Jack Coyle converting from the penalty spot after he had been upended.
But Bonagee responded within minutes and made it four one from a McNamee penalty after Larkin had been fouled inside the area. They could even afford the luxury of McNamee seeing another spot kick rebound off the post when Funston was fouled. Greencastle to their credit battled to the end and Shea McLaughlin flashed an effort just past the post before Coyle sneaked a late consolation goal to make the final scoreline four two to Bonagee.
Jackie Crossan Premier Division
Cockhill Youths 3 Moville Celtic 2
Cockhill Celtic Youth claimed a very hard fought three points against visitors Moville Celtic FC at Celtic Park, Cockhill earlier. Moville started on the front foot and had a real good opening on 4 minutes when Michael McNaught got in
down the right but his cross from the by-line was cleared by Cockhills Bobby Bradley at the near post.
Both McNaught & Norbert Indyka proved a constant threat to the Cockhill defence all afternoon and they both combined on 7 minutes when a neat pass by Indyka released McNaught through on goal and with the home defence appealing for an offside the Moville forward finished neatly past Cockhill keeper Colhoun from just inside the area. Cockhill tried to get into the game more but they found it difficult to get any real control as Moville had a hunger about them to keep what they had.
On 25 minutes the home side did level the match when a pass from left back Cian Downey found Oisin Crawford in the middle of the park and when he played the ball forward in behind Movilles Cuan Lafferty Cockhills Paul Duffy was alert and got possession of the ball before showing good composure to slot low to the net through the legs of the advancing Ryan Coyle from 12 yards at an angle on the left. Cockhill had a succession of corners in the closing period of the first half but the deliveries from Daniel Doherty was well cleared by both Lafferty and Lee Barr.
On 42 minutes Cockhill did take advantage of the corners when Oisin O’Flaherty got his head to an in-swinging delivery from Doherty on the left to flick the ball home from six yards past the helpless Coyle. Moville started the second period much the same way as the first and could have been level on 48 minutes but McNaught was unable to hit the target from close range after getting in down the right channel. Marc Bell then had a chance for the visitors but his shot from outside the area was well held by Colhoun.
Cockhilll tried to go long on occasions and on 60 minutes they nearly got Jack McDaid away from a flick by O’Flaherty but Ryan Coyle was smart of his line to tidy up at the back. Moville levelled matters on 74 minutes when Indyka pounced in the area to shot right footed past Colhoun from six yards after Cockhill failed to clear a Conor Doherty corner from the right. Bell had another great chance for the visitors on 85 minutes but he shot over from ten yards with only the keeper to beat after more great work on the right by McNaught.
The home side went 3-2 up on 89 minutes when a Colhoun kick-out for the home side made its way past the visitor’s defence and there was Cockhill substitute Sean McCallion to show great composure to race clear and round the advancing keeper Coyle to side foot home from eight yards out. Moville then had a succession of corners deep into stoppage time that the home defence did well to keep out and claim a very hard fought three points.
Clonmany Shamrocks 4 Carn FC 3
Clonmany made a bright start to this game but were stunned when they trailed by three goals to nil on 27 minutes. On 11 minutes Christy Doherty glanced a header from a Cian Doherty free low past Aiden Lynch in the home goal.
From another free kick in the 23 rd minute will Quinn got his toe to the ball to poke home and double their lead. Minutes later after a good move a superb Cian Burke cross found Cade Cooke unmarked and he finished well to make it three nil.
But the fightback started within a minute when Oisin Hession converted a penalty after Ferghal Harkin had been upended. Carn almost added another after good play from Burke who rounded Lynch but from a tight angle saw his effort cleared off the line by Liam Hirrell.
On 43 minutes Clonmany got another goal back when after a good move Dean Harkin fed namesake Aaron and he slammed the ball low across Kyle Harkin and into the bottom corner. In an altercation on the stroke of half time the visitors had two me yellow carded but the home side saw Conor Bradley receive a red and were down to ten men. The ten men of Clonmany had a great spell at the start of the second half and equalised when a corner was half cleared to Dean Harkin on the edge of the area and his effort through a crowd of players saw keeper Kyle Harkin get a hand to the ball but it went in off the post.
Harkin was then called into action to tip a Matthew Brennan effort over before diving low to his left to tip an Oisin Hession header around the post. On 75 minutes Harkin produced a superb double save to deny Jason Devlin and Pearse McCarron in succession. Carn then had a spell and had efforts from Burke and Doherty both blocked by defenders before Burke saw a shot brilliantly tipped over by Lynch.
On 83 minutes Clonmany sealed an amazing comeback when in a quick break Jason Devlins cross was flicked on by McCarron to Dean Harkin who cut in across the eighteen yards line and slipped a ball into the path of the overlapping Paddy Doherty who hammered to the net from fourteen yards.
Strand Hotel Division One
Aileach Res 3 Dunree United 1
Aileach Reserves continued their march towards league glory with a dominant victory over Dunree at Lakeside on Sunday. They got off to a dream start when Paul McGrory released Darren Bradley who cut the ball back into the path of Anthony Doherty to drill home.
Dunree responded and Gary Breslin went close with an effort from the edge of the area but it was no more than a half chance. They had another effort but Cathal McNutt fired straight at Sean Mc Guinness in the home goal. Aileach then doubled their lead before the interval when Kyle McCann played a through ball for Anthony Doherty to race onto before rounding the keeper and slotting home.
On 53 minutes the home side sealed the points when they added a third. Doherty this time was the provider when he turned well found McCann to fire low to the corner from ten yards. Dunree tried to respond and Liam Baldrick had a free saved by McGuinness before they got a late consolation when Thomas Doherty controlled a long ball over the top and rounded the keeper to slot home.
Redcastle United 2 Culdaff FC 2
Both teams started off well but didn’t test either keeper too much as they struggled to create clear chances. After 6 minutes there was a mix up at the back for Culdaff when a long ball that seemed to be the keepers was headed clear by the defence but only as far as Daragh McConway and he hit the half volley and chipped the keeper. Minutes later Redcastle should have doubled their lead when a lovely sweeping counter attack got Steven Grant in behind the defence but Martin McLaughlin smothered the shot well at the near post.
On 14 minutes Culdaff got an equaliser when a long ball from McLaughlin found Jack O’Brien and his cross found Jack McLaughlin who headed past the Redcastle keeper. Redcastle re-took the lead 10 minutes before half time when
a cross was handled by the Culdaff centre back. The resulting penalty was taken by Daragh McConway, he sent the keeper the wrong way and the ball nestled in the bottom right corner.
Redcastle thought they had increased their lead in the 57 minute when a bobbling cross found Daragh McConway but the ball hit his hand before he slotted the ball through the keepers legs and the score remained two one . Culdaff pushed to equalise again and got their equaliser in the 68 minute when substitute Bryan McCandless took the ball around the Redcastle keeper and squared it back Jack McLaughlin who put the ball into the empty net.
Both teams pressed for a winner and it was Redcastle who came closest to winning the game late on when good high pressing from Steven Grant who forced the defence into a mistake, the ball came to Martin McCarron and his first time effort from the edge of the box went just wide. Daragh McConway had a chance for a hat-trick in the 89 minute when a long ball played him in behind the defence, as the ball was bouncing McConway struck it low and hard but McLaughlin got down well to save with his feet.
Greencastle Youth 3 Gleneely Colts 2
Gleneely had the first chance when Ciaran Gallagher dragged an effort just post the post from the edge of the area.On 10 minutes good build up from Greencastle led to a cross from Ciaran Diver nearly turned in by Seamy McLaughlin at back post.
Midway through the half a half volley from Jamie McCormick brought a great save from Gleneely keeper Oran Raymond. Gleneely responded on 36minutes when Cahir O’Kane was put through and but he was denied by Evan Davenport in the Greencastle nets. The home side broke the deadlock in the 40th minute after Conor Gillen was set up by Ciaran Diver and he slotted past the keeper to put Greencastle one up.
Gleneely from the resulting restart pushed forward and levelled when penalty given for a foul on the edge of the box and Ciaran Gallagher fired low to keepers left.Then on the stroke of half time Gleneely nearly took the lead when John Doherty brought a great save from Davenport. Greencastle had the first chance of the second half after a Ben Doherty corner fell to Gillen whose close range effort brought a great save from Oran Raymond.
Shortly after Paul Gamble nearly poked home a goal for Gleneely from a free kick into box but was stopped by another save from Davenport. On the hour mark the home side went close again after Gillen released Jamie McCormick but he was denied by Raymond and his follow up found the side netting. Midway through the half the visitors took the lead after Gallagher fired a superb twenty five yards free kick low into the bottom corner.
The home side upped the tempo and equalised on 81 minutes after a low cross into the area from McCormick was well finished by Ryan Brown. They struck then for a late winner after Mark Murray advanced on the left and when his cross fell to Brown he drilled to the far corner from the edge of the area.
QPS 4 Clonmany Youths 0
The point started this game on the front foot and in the third minute Josh Boyle cut the ball back for David Healy whose effort came off the post and was partially cleared to Darragh McDermott but his shot was cleared off the line by
a defender.
They took the lead on 12minutes when Eoin Rafferty advanced on the left and his speculative effort deceived Kieran Friel in the Clonmany goal. Within two minutes they had doubled their advantage when Boyle went up the right and his cross was slotted home from six yards by Darragh McDermott. Clonmany grew into the game then with Steve Harkin seeing a header saved by Oisin Burke before Michael Grant found space inside the home area but Burke again came to the Points rescue.
The home side had the final chance of the half with Boyle finding Rafferty with a good cross but the latters effort came off the post before the Clonmany defence cleared. Clonmany had the first goal threat of the second half on 56 minutes when Joe Doherty broke through the home rearguard only to be denied by a superb Ross Nicholas tackle. The home side hot back with Boyles effort blocked by a defender before Stephen McKendrys follow up was brilliantly tipped over by Friel.
QPS increased their lead on 62minutes when Healy broke on the right and squared for McDermott who miscued in front of a gaping goal but his blushes were spared when the ball fell to Boyle to slot home. Substitute Josh McLaughlin completed the scoring when he converted a penalty low to Friels right hand side after he had been upended. The same player had the final effort of the game but Friel turned his shot around the post at full stretch.
Inishowen Engineering Division Two
Rasheny FC 2 Cockhill Res 1
The visitors had an early attempt on goal when Liam Bradley advanced and unleashed an effort which was well saved by Craig Doherty.
The home side took control of the game after this with Declan McLaughlin seeing an effort deflected wide off a defender before Damien Friel just failed to connect with a diving header from a Shane Cregan cross. On 29 minutes Ronan Shovlins powerful effort was turned round the post at full stretch by Cockhill keeper Donal Og O’Brien before Cregan bore down on goal but blazed over when well placed.
The pressure told on 38 minutes after Friels thirty yards free dropped into the net at the angle of the post and crossbar. They added a second before the interval when a diagonal Declan McLaughlin pass found David McLaughlin who burst into the area and when challenged the ball fell kindly for Cregan to slot home from twelve yards.
Cockhill started the second half well and reduced the deficit on 47 minutes when Ryan Downeys ball over the top was well controlled by Kevin McDaid to blast past Doherty from 15 yards. McDaid then unleashed a first time effort from a Liam Bradley cross but it was straight at Doherty.
Rasheney replied and a Ronan Shovlin goal bound effort deflected off a defender and just past the post. Cockhill finished the game strongly and Niall Breslin ran onto a Luke Bradley pass and went wide of keeper Doherty but penalty claims were waved away. On 82 minutes the visitors were awarded a penalty after Luke Bradley was upended but Mark Gillespie fired wide from the spot kick as Rasheney held on.
Carrowmena FC 4 Illies Res 1
Illies started well forcing the home side on the defensive and on 13minutes a Gavin Doherty cross found Liam O Connor who headed straight at Kyle Dougal from six yards.
Carrowmena responded and took the lead on 20minutes from a Michael Henry corner which was cleared to Adam Harkin whose low delivery ricochet off a defender past the stranded Johnathan Noone. Illies pushed hard after this but fell further behind in the 38th minute after Noone’s attempted clearance was blocked by Ryan McDermott and the loose ball fell for Ronan Doherty to slot into the empty net from eight yards. Before the break Illies Michael Gallagher and Paul Devlin combining to release Gavin Doherty who advanced and unleashed an effort which Dougal tipped superbly over the bar.
The home side increased their lead on 52 minutes after good build up found Ronan Doherty who crossed for the inrushing Michael Henry to slot home.
Illies battled back and got a goal back after an inswinging corner from Martin Coyle deceived all the defenders on its way to the net. Illies exerted more pressure forcing a number of corners but on 70 minutes Carrowmena put the game beyond doubt.Mark Browne fed Adam Harkin who released Ronan Doherty to fire low and hard past Noone from fourteen yards to give the league leaders a valuable three points against one of their main rivals.
Buncrana Res 3 Carn Res 1
The homeside broke the deadlock on 10minutes after an excellent Hugh Aaron McGonagle cross was superbly finished by Jack Soal.
But midway through the half the visitors got back on terms when after the home defence failed to clear a corner Gert Dzerins fired low past Oran McBride from ten yards. Buncrana responded and regained the lead before the break when the unmarked Gerard Boyle headed home Soals pinpoint free kick from ten yards.
The Hearts had the majority of possession in the second half and they increased their lead when McDaids superb pass into the path of Christopher McKinley saw him slot home from eight yards. Buncrana finished strongly and Boyle was unlucky with an effort which came off the post before Arlen Doherty fired over the bar from a good position late in the game.
Moville Res 0 Aileach Youths 2
The home side created the first opportunity when Vernon Kelly released Danny Murphy but his low effort was superbly saved by Ryan Fox. But Aileach responded and Kevin Wallace headed over from a corner before Brendan
Hegarty failed to convert when he got on the end of a Keith McColgan cross.
The visitors took the lead after the home defence failed to deal with a long ball and an attempted clearance fell to Hegarty inside the six yards area and he slotted past Stephen Teles. Moville went close on the stroke of half time when Mark Grimley released Conor Lafferty in space on the right but he fired wide. After a slow opwning to the second period the visitors increased their lea don the hour mark after McColgan released Hegarty through the middle and he fired low to Teles right and into the corner.
At the other end Fox produced a remarkable tip over save to deny Murphy. Moville threw men forward in an attempt toget back into the game but on the break Hegarty was twice denied by Teles.
Inishowen Engineering Division Two B
Dunree Res 2 Clonmany Youths 3
In an entertaining game the home side took the lead on 18 minutes after Adam Barret put Callum booth through and he drove the ball low to the corner of the net.
Clonmany piled on the pressure after this and nearly got the equaliser on 28 minutes after Aaron porter had a brillant free kick saved by the Dunree keeper Philip Doherty. Dunree responded and a shot from Callum Booth was saved and the rebound was struck by Sean Doherty who put the ball well over the bar from close range. Then good work by Jason Spence who laid the ball off to Barret but his thunderous strike well tipped over by the Clonmany keeper Killian McCarron on the stroke of half time.
Dunree started the second half well and increased their advantage on 50minutes after Tiernan Moran lays off Callum Booth with a sweet strike to the top corner.Dunree was well on top pressing for the third after this but then a ball broke over the top on 55minutes for Aaron Porter who was upended in the box by Gareth Mc Geever who then was sent off for a second yellow card.
Aaron Porter slotted home the penalty to get the visitors back into the contest. Clonmany pressed and pressed after this against the 10 man Dunree and got the equaliser on 75 minutes with John McCarron playing the ball to Aaron Porter who drilled it low past Philip Doherty in Dunree Goal. Clonmany completed the turnaround on 83 minutes when Porter was adjudged to have been impeded by Doherty in the home goal and Porter converted his second spot kick.
In the final minute Dunree almost snatched a point after great play By Sean Doherty with a perfect pass to Callum Booth upfront who was unfortunate just to lift the ball over the Clonmany crossbar.
Culdaff Res 1 Rasheney Res 0
In good calm conditions the home side dominated the opening half but failed to create clear chances against a well organised Rasheney defence. Noel McLaughlin flashed two dangerous crosses across the six yards box on 11 and 23 minutes but there were no takers on either occasion.
The best chance for the home side came on 33 minutes when Matt McDaid sent Reece McDaid away on the right but the advancing Roger McGilloway blocked his effort. Culdaff took the lead in fortuitous fashion on the stroke of half time when an attempted clearance came off Darragh McCormick and looped over the stranded McGilloway. The second half saw defences on top with a lot of the play in the midfield area.
Reece McDaid had a couple of efforts off target for the home side around the hour mark. The visitors threw men forward in the closing stages in an effort to salvage a point but Joey Holland and Brendan Grant both fired efforts from distance well off target.
Sunday 19th December
Backlog games this weekend:
Strand Hotel Division One 2pm
Dunree United v Culdaff FC E Doherty
Inishowen Engineering Division Two 11am
Aileach Youth v Rasheney FC A McAleer
Cockhill Res v Buncrana Res JP Houten
Rasheney Res v Illies Res L Porter
Sea Rovers v Moville Res JJ Lafferty
