Cockhill Celtic win penalty shoot-out to take FAI Junior Cup

The Inishowen Premier League champions lost out on a penalty shoot-out in last year’s Intermediate Cup final against Rockmount.

But they had dominated on their return to Junior football and made their way impressively to this FAI Junior Final, conceding just one goal in their run to this decision against Wexford’s Gorey Rangers , who had won two penalty shoot-outs during their run to the final.

Cockhill Celtic had much the better of the opening exchanges but fell behind in the 14th minute when Stephen Kinsella’s long range free-kick caught out goalkeeper Doherty who was too far off his line and the shot flew past him into the top corner of the net.

That was about it from Gorey in terms of creating any danger in front of goal in the first-half, while Cockhill continued to press forward , Garbhan Friel heading wide when well placed at the back post.

There was a controversial moment in the 42nd minute when Cockhill thought they had scored but were denied by the officials who thought otherwise.

Brendan McLaughlin swung in a corner, in the goalmouth scramble that followed , a couple of shots were blocked with Garbhan Friel’s shot looking as if it may have crossed the line but not not clearly enough to be given.

The Inishowen men continued to dominate in the early stages of the second-half and pressed hard for an equaliser but a mixture poor finishing and desperate defending denied them.

However, that deserved equaliser finally came in the 75th minute when young Jay Bradley, who was only on the pitch for two minutes did brilliantly on the right by holding off a strong challenge before crossing into the box for Oisín McColgan  to drill low to the net, 1-1 each and game on.

Two minutes later Jay Bradley was at it again , this time putting Corey McBride through but keeper Cian Browne tipped his shot over the bar.

Gorey Rangers attempted  to reply and Harry Doherty had to be alert to deny them on a couple of occasions.

Cockhill continued to look the more likely to win it in normal time but even with seven minutes of injury-time they couldn’t grab a winner and it went to extra-time.

That didn’t start too well for Cockhill as they were reduced to ten men with the sending off of Captain James Bradley for a straight red card which looked a bit harsh , at half-time it remained level at 1-1 and a penalty shoot-out beckoned.

Cockhill Celtic’s now ten men continued to seek a winning goal as Gorey looked like they might be happy to go to another shoot-out  where they had already enjoyed success  twice in this competition .

The Inishowen men forced a number of corners and had an appeal for a handball from Peter Dohery’s header waved away and we went to the dreaded shootout.

Both teams missed two of their first three penalties, Cockhill keeper Harry Doherty firstly denying Gavin O Brien and then both Mark Molloy and Luke Greene with Goey’s fourth and fifth attempts and that allowed Conor Graham , Jay Bradley and finally  Garbhan Friel to convert from their spot-kicks and allow Cockhill Celtic to take the silverware.

The bonfires are already being built in Inishowen.

Cockhill Celtic: Harry Doherty  ,  Lee McLaughlin,  Lee McColgan, Peter Doherty, Oisín McColgan , Jack Doherty, Luke Rudden ( Jay Bradley 70mins), James Bradley, Garbhan Friel ,  Corey  McBride ( Conor Graham (96mins), , Brendan McLaughlin ( Jack Mullen (91mins).