Here are all of the match reports and results from this week’s Inishowen League football action.
Inishowen Football League Reports 11th February
FAI Junior Cup
Cockhill Celtic 4
Maree/Oranmore 0
Cockhill Celtic advanced to the quarter finals of the FAI Junior Cup with a fine four nil win over a gallant Maree/Oranmore side this afternoon. Cockhill made a dream start, opening the scoring after 98 seconds when Corey McBride headed home from close range after Luke Rudden’s effort was adjudged to have been cleared off the line.Playing with the wind, Maree/Oranmore settled and created some good situations without having any clear cut chances. The closest they came to an equaliser was a Colm Whelan free kick which Harry Doherty tipped over. Midway through the half a Lee McLaughlin pass was deflected into Garbhan Friel’s path but his powerful shot was turned around the post by Max Hawksley. Cockhill doubled their lead on the stroke of half time when an Adam McLaughlin free kick from the left of the D was parried by Hawksley but Luke Rudden was on hand to finish. The second half was dominated by Cockhill and an early second half goal from Peter Doherty settled the tie when Brendan McLaughlin’s pinpoint free kick from the right was headed home at the back post. Substitute Jack Mullan completed the scoring late on when a velvet touch controlled a Brendan McLaughlin crossfield pass and he slotted home to make it four nil leaving Cockhill looking forward to the quarter final draw.
Peake Villa 0
Buncrana Hearts 3
The Hearts started this game very well and on 5 minutes a Calvin Gallagher cross from the left deceived keeper Maguire who recovered brilliantly to tip the ball over the bar. Another Gallagher free was flicked on by Kevin O’Loughlin for Eoin Murphy whose goal bound effort was again brilliantly saved by Maguire. On 27 minutes Murphy drew another good save from the home custodian. The home side then came into the game with Quinlan seeing an effort blocked by the defence. They took the lead in the 37th minute after a corner was cleared as far as Quinlan on the left and his cross cum shot through a crowd of players nestled in the bottom corner giving Taylor Clarke no chance. On the stroke of half time they almost doubled their lead when Carroll’s twenty five yards free kick smashed off the angle of the post and bar. As in the first half Buncrana began well on the resumption with Shaunie Bradley swivelling inside the area but seeing his effort flash wide before Matthew Brown saw an effort deflected behind. A dangerous Adam Curran cross was then sliced over his own bar by a defender. The home side responded with Clarke saving a Maguire header before they added a second in the 70th minute. Following a corner Carroll flicked a superb header across goal to the far corner.With the visitors pushing to get back into the game Loughnane ghosted past two defenders and slipped the ball past Clarke. Buncrana were denied a consolation when O’Loughlin’s effort was superbly saved by Maguire.
Jackie Crossan Premier Division
Carn FC 2
Glengad United 1
It was the visitors who started this game well but they failed to create any clear cut chances. Carn came more into the game and midway through the half Liam McWeeney threaded a ball through to Kyran Cantwell but Seamus Houghton advanced to smother. On 33 minutes after a corner the ball fell to Cian Burke to slot past Houghton and give the home side the lead. The home side started the second half well but were reliant on set pieces and they increased their lead from a set piece on 70 minutes. McWeeneys free kick delivery was flicked home by Cantwell from ten yards.Glengad pushed hard in the closing stages and got a consolation in injury time after Terence Doherty rounded the keeper and pulled the ball back for Conor O’Neill to slot home but time ran out.
Greencastle FC 3
Clonmany Shamrocks 2
The home side took the lead in the 8th minute after a Shea Mclaughlin ball over the top found Nigel McMonagle who drilled a superb half volley low to the corner past Kieran Friel. Clonmany replied and were unlucky when a Matthew Brennan free kick crashed off the bar to Jason Devlin who headed over. At the other end Nathan Harkin was narrowly off target with a shot from the edge of the area. Clonmany had a good spell then and Jamie Coyle had one effort blocked before seeing another fly over the bar before Brennan had another free saved by William O’Carroll. Greencastle then broke and McMonagle raced onto Shea Mclaughlin’s pass but fired just past the post. The last chance of the half fell to Clonmany with a speculative thirty yards Jake Harkin effort just clearing the bar. In the early exchanges of the second half there were chances at both end with Coyle firing wide for the visitors and Harkin denied by the legs of Friel. The home side doubled their lead on 55 minutes then after Harkin found Shea McLaughlin who finished superbly at the back post. But Clonmany rallied and got a goal back when Devlins cross was controlled by Alex McFadden before he slotted past O’Carroll. Devlin then had a great chance to get his side on terms but he fired over the bar from twelve yards. Greencastle made then pay for this let off with McMonagle converting a penalty after he had been upended. Clonmany kept pressing and again reduced the deficit after Jake Harkin broke clear and slotted low past the advancing O’Carroll. McMonagle fired over and substitute Odhran Kennedy was denied by Friel while at the other end Shane McCaul broke clear in a one on one but dragged his effort wide.
Strand Hotel First Division
Rashenny FC 1
Cockhill Youths 0
Rashenny got off to the perfect start in the 8th minute after Gareth McKeever pressurised Cockhill keeper Eoin Colhoun and the ball ran loose for Cormac Dillon to slot home. Cockhill came more into the game then and midway through the half following a corner Ryan McDaid blazed over he bar. Before the break they had another chance after Conor McDaid flicked on a corner to Ryan Downey whose header drew a superb save from Gavin McLaughlin. Rashenny started well in the second half and a Dillon cross found Shane Cregan who fired over the bar. David Mclaughlin broke clear of the Cockhill defence but was denied by a superb Ryan Downey tackle before the same player hooked wide from close range. Cockhill responded and Liam Bradley went close with a shot which cleared the crossbar. Rashenny had the final chance after a looping header from substitute John Mclaughlin drew a superb save from Colhoun.
Greencastle Youths 2
Clonmany Res 3
After three minutes Greencastles Evan Davenport had a shot well saved by the Clonmany keeper. But they took the lead in the 6th minute after Ben Doherty converted a penalty. Clonmany had a good opportunity from a free kick but the cross was headed wide. Greencastle had another good chance on 25 minutes after Evan Davenport went through on goal but he dragged his effort wide. At the other end Ethan Devlin had a shot saved and forced a corner which was cleared by the defence.. Christopher Diver made it two nil to Greencastle on the half hour with a lovely lobbed effort over the Clonmany keeper Killian McCarron. On 40 minutes Evan Davenport had another great chance but fired just over the crossbar. Clonmany’s Jake O Donnell got them back in the game just before half time with a back post finish. After a slow start to the second with both teams having some half chances. Clonmany’s Jake O Donnell got their equaliser from the penalty spot after Jamie Coyle had conceded a foul in the box. Jake O Donnell completed his hatrick a few moments later when the ball bounced through a group of people and he ran through to finish calmly. Greencastle’s nearly got an equaliser at the death but Conor Gillen was unlucky to see his shot go over the bar.
Buncrana Res 0
Aileach Res 4
Aileach Youth arrived at Castle Park with distinct intentions of wining this match at it showed in the first ten minutes with Aileach playing some excellent passing football. But it was Buncrana who had the first chance when Jack Gill got on the end of a pass from Eoin McNamee but he could only shoot wide of the Aileach goal.It was a very even affair with both teams having good possession but on 14 minutes Aileach’s Josh Boyle got on the end of a loose ball just outside the Hearts box and drove low it into Sean Daley’s net.The rest of the first half was much the same with both team’s working hard to keep possession. Buncrana started the second half looking like a different team letting in two goal in the first four minutes the first for Stephen Doherty who pounced on a defensive error swivelled on the spot and shot high into the top corner giving Daley no chance. The next goal was conceded two minutes later later when the Hearts conceded a third to the same Stephen Doherty from another defensive error. Aileach kept pressing and were awarded a penalty but Doherty was denied his hat trick after an outstanding save from Daley. Aileach wrapped up the points on 78 minutes after Stephen O’Donnell rose highest to head home following a corner.
QPS 3
Carn Res 2
In an entertaining encounter the visitors took an early lead after Mark Scott raced onto a through ball and slotted low past Conor O’Neill in the home goal.The home sides best attempt came before the break after Kevin Kelly fired narrowly wide. The home side began the second period well and on 53 minutes equalised when Ross Nicholas fired a twenty five yards free past Kyle Harkin. Midway through the half Carn regained the lead when Dayton Cooke split the home defence for Scott to race clear and slot home. But again the Point rallied and levelled for the second time when Seamus McFadden finished well from close range. On the stroke of full time the home side were awarded a penalty but Josh McLaughlin’s effort from the spot was saved by Kyle Harkin only for Aaron Scott to slam the loose ball home and claim the points.
Redcastle United 4
Culdaff FC 2
The visitors got off to a dream start in the third minute when Brendan McLaughlin raced onto a through ball and fired past Michael McCole. But the league leaders responded well and equalised on 10 minutes with Lee Barr heading past Patrick McLaughlin from a Shaun Curran corner. Midway through the half the home side went close after an Eamon Donnelly effort as tipped over the bar by Mclaughlin. But the visitors regained the lead on 33 minutes after Ben Curley fed Brendan McLaughlin in a similar move to the first goal and McLaughlin drilled low past McCole. Redcastle again responded and equalised before the break when after a short corner Curran crossed for Darragh McConway to head home. Culdaff had the first chance of the second half on 55 minutes when Brendan McLaughlin fed Jack O’Brien who fired just over the bar. Midway though the half Redcastle replied with McConway finding Mark Farren on the edge of the area but his effort was just wide of the right hand post. The home side then took the lead for the fist time in the 72nd minute when Shaun Curran converted a penalty. They made if four two then after Farren beat a defender and slotted low past McLaughlin. The home side saw the remainder of the game out to record a crucial victory at the top of the table.
Inishowen Engineering Division Two A
Aileach Youths 1
Gleneely Colts 2
Aileach and Gleneely served up a good quality game in perfect conditions at Lakeside. Aileach dominated the early stages and controlled the centre of the field with Ryan Wilson and Eddie McNamee controlling the tempo. Against the run of play Gleneely took the lead on 15 minutes when a clumsy tackle in the box brought a penalty for the visitors. Matthew Doherty stepped up to send Dylan Clarke in the home goal the wrong way. Minutes later, Aileach were back on terms when a McIntyre through ball released Paul Eyre who was upended by Ciaran Gallagher in the Gleneely goal. Aaron Doherty stepped up and fired the penalty into the right corner past Gallagher. On the half hour, Gallagher performed heroics when a Paul Eyre cross was met by Darren Bradley and somehow Gallagher got across the goal to make a fantastic save, the rebound fell to Aaron Doherty whose goalbound shot was blocked on the line by a Gleneely defender. The second half was a more even affair with Gleneely gaining a lot more possession than the first half. On the hour Wilson released Aaron Doherty whose first time shot was again well saved by Gallagher. Gleneely were probing at this stage and a through ball released Doherty but he snatched at his shot and it went past Clarkes right hand post. Gallagher again performed heroics with 15 minutes to go when a cross from the left by Andrew Walker found Aaron Doherty and again somehow Gallagher appeared from nowhere to block the shot on the line and as before the follow up was blocked by a Gleneely defender. Aileach had another chance with 10 minutes to go when a cross was half cleared to Ryan Wilson who sliced his shot wide ten yards. Gleneely got what was the winner with five minutes to go when Doherty got through and fired goalwards but Clarke got an impressive save down to his right but the ball ran into the path of Ryan Tabbitt who shot into the unguarded net to give the visitors the spoils.
Cockhill Res 4
Redcastle Res 2
Cockhill started the match well racing in to a two goal lead inside the first 20 minutes. Joe Lavery set up Ethan O’Toole to fire home the opener from twelve yards before Shayne Gallagher made it two shortly after when Christy McDaid played a great through ball to find Shayne who rounded the keeper to finish in style. Redcastle responded well, making things very difficult and putting Cockhill under pressure for the rest of the half. The second half started similar to how the first half ended with the game getting bogged down in the middle of the pitch and play broken up with a lot of stoppages. Despite being under pressure Cockhill added a third midway through the second half.Tiarnan Moran had a shot blocked and when the ball broke to Ethan O Toole who made no mistake with a fine first time finish.Redcastle kept coming and pulled one back shortly after with a fine header from Gary Kelly. Cockhill extended their lead again minutes after from a quick counter attack Joe Lavery picked out Caolan Moore with a great cross and an emphatic first time finish from Moore. With minutes remaining Redcastle pulled another one back in similar fashion to their first with Gary Kelly burying a cracking header in to the top corner but Cockhill saw the game out from there for a hard earned win.
Sea Rovers 2
Culdaff Res 1
Most of the first half was a quiet affair with the best chance coming from Rovers Andrew Gallagher but Culdaffs keeper Oran Douglas got down well to make the save. Both defences were solid throughout. Last minute of the half Andrew Gallagher put a cross in but Declan McGonagle saw his shot go inches wide of the post. The second half started in the same fashion but it was Culdaffs Rory McLaughlin who chipped Rovers Keeper Mark Mc Laughlin only to see it cleared of the line by Tiarnan Stevens. Culdaff then won a penalty after Mathew McLarkey was taken down and Dermot Dover stepped up to convert the penalty and give the visitors the lead. Rovers won a free kick just in the Culdaff half, Daniel Gallagher took it and a high ball in fell to Andrew Gallagher who shot low past the keeper to equalise. Rovers kept up the pressure and were rewarded when Ryan Doherty set up Daniel Gallagher to put the home side ahead in the dying seconds and keep their title hopes alive.
Cockhill Colts 4
QPS Youth 0
The visitors had the first chance of the game when Brian McColgan headed over following a corner. Cockhill responded and took the lead midway through the half after a Shane Meehan cross fell to Liam O’Donnell who squared for brother Aiden to slot home from eight yards. Meehan then crossed for Liam McCarron who headed over before Aiden O’Donnell had a twenty yards effort saved by Jamie McColgan. Cockhill increased their lead after ten minutes of the second period with Martin Donaghey despatching a twenty five yards effort low to the corner. This seemed to knock the visitors back and Cockhill were on top with Joe Doherty seeing a header come off the bar. They made it three nil on 67 minutes after a Gavin Doherty cross was sidefooted home by McCarron before McColgan then tipped a Mark Gillespie effort over the bar. The colts added a fourth goal late on after McColgan had parried Dohertys effort but the rebound fell kindly to Joe Doherty to slot home.
Inishowen Engineering Division Two B
Rashenny Rovers 0
Dunree Res 1
The visitors opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a Bryce Fullerton free headed home by Neven McGovern. They continued to press and David O’Hagan had a powerful effort saved by Roger McGilloway. At the other end Tyler McEleney created space but saw his effort well gathered by Philip Doherty. Dunree regained control and when Patrick Doherty raced clear of the home defence McGilloway advanced to save well at his feet. McGilloway was again called into action before the break when he gathered a Fullerton free kick. Rashenny had the first chance of the second half with a Leonardo McGlinchey free punched clear from beneath the bar under pressure by Doherty. Dunree replied with O’Hagan breaking clear of the home defence but he blazed over the bar. Fullerton then had an effort from Fullerton clawed away by substitute keeper Adam Downey. Dunree substitute Paul Jackson then had two late efforts saved by Downey as the visitors collected the points.
Carrowmena FC 1
Glengad Res 3
After the home side had made a promising start to this game it was the visitors who broke the deadlock in the 11th minute. With the Carrowmena defence backing off Jayden McDaid advanced and fired to the roof of the net past the stranded Kevin McLaughlin. Carrowmena responded with Adam Harkin breaking through but denied by Zac Conlon in the Glengad goal. An inswinging Pearse Doherty corner was then headed wide at the back post by Cathal Crumlish before a snapshot from Harkin was turned round the post by Conlon just before half time. Carrowmena started the second half well with a Samuel Bredin cross finding Crumlish but he failed to apply the finish when well placed. Harkin then had a gilt edged chance but failed to convert. A slick move then ended with a Pearse Doherty inswinging corner glanced home by Bredin to get back on terms. But Glengad regained the lead within minutes after a John McDaid corner was bundled home in a crowded area by Niall McColgan. Carrowmena upped the tempo with both Crumlish and Harkin off target with efforts. Pushing forward for an equaliser the home side were caught on the break with Conor McGonagle breaking on the left before squaring to PJ McDaid who fired low past Gerard Gill from twenty yards.
Illies Res 3
Rashenny Res 1
Illies started well and both Mickey Grant and Adrian Donaghey-Doherty had efforts saved by Sam Coyle in the visitors goal. Rashenny responded with Caylum Long finding space but shooting straight at Conor Doherty when well placed. Illies broke the deadlock on the half hour after Grant split he visitors defence for Donaghy-Doherty to fire to the roof of the net. But the visitors levelled on the stroke of half time after Longs ball across found Aiden Hirrell who drilled superbly to the bottom corner from the edge of the area. Illies made a bright start to the second half with both Shane Devlin and Oran Doherty denied by good saves from Coyle. Then a quick break from the home side saw Devlin find Donaghey-Doherty whose low cross was slotted home by Oran Doherty.Rashenny pressed with Long firing wide from a good position before James McConalogue header was well saved by Conor Doherty. Illies sealed the points in the final minute after Marty Coyle’s quick throw in was hooked across the area by Donaghey- Doherty and Deaglan Bowen headed home.