FAI Junior Cup

Redcastle bow out  in extra time

Clonmel Town     2-0    Redcastle United ( AET)

Redcastle bowed out of the FAI Junior cup after a hard fought battle in Tipperary against a physical Clonmel side containing two Irish junior international players.The Inishowen side started well and when Ritchie Ryan miskicked a back pass Jimmy Gallagher tried to force the ball home but Ryan recovered to claw the ball away. A long throw from Ian Barrons at the other end caused confusion but Martin Farren scrambled the ball clear. Midway through the half Tony Scully’s corner found Barrons who flicked the ball wide. On the restart Brian Tracey sent Eddie McIntyre through but defender Darren Burn slid in to block and the danger was cleared. On 68 minutes Robert Stanley advanced on the left and cut the ball back to Paul Mooney whose effort from sixteen yards was brilliantly tipped onto the post by Gerard Crossan. In the closing minutes Scully cut in from the right but saw his effort clip the outside of the post. The breakthrough for the home side came in the second minute of extra time when Scully converted a penalty after Stephen Ryan was upended. Redcastle hit back and were denied what looked like a certain penalty when Martin Farren’s header handled by a defender but the referee inexplicably awarded a free out. In the final minute Redcastle were caught again when Barry Ryan pounced on a misplaced back pass to fire past Crossan. Overall an excellent run again in the cup for Redcastle with Seamus Doherty turning in a man of the match performance.

Moville fail to recover from early set backs

Glebe North                  5-2    Moville Celtic

Moville crashed out of the FAI Junior cup in Dublin on Saturday and they got off to a dreadful start conceding twice in the opening minutes. North took the lead on 7 minutes when Gary Byrne outmuscled the Moville defence to advance and slide the ball under the advancing Maurice McGeady. Bryne then broke on the right minutes later and crossed for the unmarked Martin Downes to make it two. Moville settled and midway through the half PJ Barr had an effort turned behind and when the resultant corner broke out to Conor McLaughlin his driven effort found Nigel McMonagle but he failed to direct his effort on target.Good work for the home side from Alan Moriarty set up Downes but McGeady saved well. Moville were unlucky when Declan McGuinness’s glancing header crashed off the bar before McMonagle was denied by a last ditch tackle as he prepared to shoot.Glebe North struck for their third goal on 37 minutes when Moriarty found Byrne and he gleefully slotted low past McGeady. Moville replied instantly with Joe Doherty having a powerful effort saved before he another shot cleared off the line minutes later to McGuinness who slammed the ball to the roof of the net from twenty two yards past Garret Pettigrew. Moville started the second period the better with McGuinness seeing a well struck free just graze the post before following a scramble  Joe Doherty had an effort cleared off the line. McMonagle then cut in from the left but fired just over the top.  Moville self destructed on 73 minutes when they conceded a needless free kick and Moriarty fired to the top corner from twenty three yards.Moville kept pressing with Barr having a shot deflected wide and they pulled a goal back on 83 minutes when McGuinness won possession and found Doherty who fed McMonagle and he fired low to the net from ten yards. Moville kept pressing but were caught on the break in the last minute with Byrne racing clear to shoot past McGeady from fifteen yards.

FAI Umbro Junior Cup

Mc Monagle strikes for last minute winner

Moville Celtic      1-0    Killylough ( Monaghan )       

Moville qualified for the open draw stages of the FAI Junior cup when they struck for the winner in the dying minutes. Killylough started well with Gerard McCabe having an angled effort well parried by Ralph Bredin but Davy Sterritt failed to connect with the loose ball. At the other end Nigel McMonagle had an effort gathered at the second attempt by Michael Rooney before McMonagle ran onto Graeme Doherty’s pass but his cross evaded all. Joe Doherty then saw an inswinging corner bounce off the bar before Doherty beat the offside trap but overhit the pass when Ritchie McElhinney was well placed. On 36 minutes the visitors Gerard McCrudden saw a half volley graze the bar.Before the break a neat flick by Doherty for the home side sent PJ Barr clear but he fired just over from twenty yards. On the resumption Barr fed McMonagle who fired across the keeper and just wide before McMonagle had a tame effort smothered by the Mooney. Killylough replied with Ronan Sterritt’s fierce drive well parried by Bredin. Moville kept the pressure on with McMonagle’s powerful effort parried by Mooney before the defence cleared the danger. A great ball from Oran McDermott released Joe Doherty but he miskicked when in a good position. The visitors then broke with Sterritt crossing from the right  for Noel McCabe who headed wide when he should have hit the target. The home side replied and after a scramble McMonagle had an effort hooked off the line before just as it looked as extra time was looming up popped Nigel McMonagle who waltzed round three defenders and hooked the ball into the roof of the net for an 87^th minute winner.

Bells men advance to the open draw stage again

Glengad United   1-2    Redcastle United  AET

Played in blustery conditions the visitors had the advantage of the elements in the opening half. But the home side had the first chance when  Stephen McLaughlin ran at the Redcastle defence and crossed for Terence Doherty whose first time effort rebounded off the post. Redcastle replied with Jimmy Gallagher’s sixteen yards effort was brilliantly saved by Michael McLaughlin. Redcastle took the lead on 36 minutes after Eamon Donnelly advanced from the back to unleash an unstoppable thirty yards effort to the top corner past Michael McLaughlin.Glengad got back on terms on the hour when Paul McGonagle made ground on the left past a defender  and crossed for Alan Orr to fire to the roof of the net from ten yards.      

The visitors took the lead again in the first minute of extra time following a Charlie McCormick corner found Terence Shields who drilled a low shot to the net from close range. They suffered a blow when Eamon Donnelly was redcarded for an off the ball incident. In the second period Orr and John G McLaughlin were both denied by two fine saves from Gerard Crossan

Early strike enough for Lagan

Lagan Harps       1-0              Carrowmena FC

Played in the Aura centre in Letterkenny Lagan got off to a dream start when they took the lead after 4 minutes when Stephen O’Donnell converted from close range good approach play between Ronan Gibson and Kenny Doran. Carrowmena struggled to overcome this setback with  O’Donnell failing to convert further half chances.On the half hour Kevin Kelly played a first time ball into the path of Doran who outran the defence but Michael O’Doherty got back to make a superb saving tackle. Carrowmena finished the half trying to get forward but Lagan defence stood firm. In the second period Carrowmena upped the tempo pushing forward at every opportunity. On the hour James Henry and Andrew McLaughlin combined to feed Matthew Henry but he fired just wide. They had most of the possession in the second period but never really tested Tony Blake in the home goal. The best chance came in the 73 rd minute when James Henry’s ball over the top found substitute David Heuston whose header skimmed the upright.Carrowmena tried hard to force extra time but Lagan held out under pressure to advance to the open draw stage.  

Moville hang on in the end but advance    

Moville Celtic      4-3    Curragh Athletic

Celtic started the better and on 7 minutes Shane Canning found Joe Doherty whose attempted lob was well held by keeper Brendan Morrow. At the other end Jason Sweeney saw his snapshot crash off the bar to safety. Moville replied with Ritchie McElhinney feeding Joe Doherty who fired low to the corner from fourteen yards.Midway through the half Darrell Doherty fed Michael Coyle whose deep cross was powerfully headed home by Declan McGuinness. Curragh got one back when one of their Brazilian imports Renato dribbled past two defenders and slotted low past Sean McGuinness.Another brazilian Agabson then went close when his powerful effort was pushed away by McGuinness at full stretch. Moville hit back and made it three one before the break when Canning released Nichole Ryan to lob keeper Morrow for a neat finish. On the stroke of half time a long throw in by Doherty was headed to the net by an unfortunate defender. In the opening minute of the second period Michael Duffy for the visitors broke into the box and fired low past McGuinness from ten yards. The home side replied with Ryan firing just wide before sub Eunan McDaid fired over the top when well placed. Curragh went close when Brendan Doyle fired a sweet left footed effort low past McGuinness to reduce the deficit to the minimum. Moville missed a great chance to extend their lead when Ryan fired straight at Morrow before Mark Doherty glanced a header just wide for the visitors. Moville’s Canning then saw a dipping effort shave the bar before in injury time a superb half volley from Ryan was pushed round the post by Morrow.

McDermott double inspires Glengad

Glengad United   4-2    Milford United

This was a good victory for Glengad coming after a couple of disappointing results. They broke the deadlock on 21 minutes when Paul McGonagle crossed for Patrick McDermott to head home at the back post. Stephen Mclaughlin then crossed for John G McDermott but his effort crashed off the bar before Milford danger man Gary Merritt released David Curley but he scuffed his effort when well placed.Glengad went close then with McGonagle sending McLaughlin clear but his effort rebounded off the post. Milford equalized on the stroke of half time when Merritt’s speculative thirty five yards effort dropped over Michael McLaughlin and into the net.Glengad started the second period well with Patrick McDermott seeing his effort saved by McKelvey. They regained the lead on 55 minutes when Patrick McDermott converted a penalty awarded after McLaughlin was upended. Midway through the half they made it three one when John G McLaughlin dispossessed a defender and raced clear to shoot low to the corner from fifteen yards. Milford replied and got one back on 77 minute after Merritt’s shot from fifteen yards was parried by McLaughlin to Danny Gallagher and he rolled the ball home. But Glengad sealed it on full time when when McGonagle burst clear and squared the ball to Stephen McLaughlin who tapped home from close range.

Super sub McCormick fired Redcastle through

Redcastle United 3-1    Donegal Town    

This was not the best game ever seen at Foyle Park but any win is a good win and Redcastle advance again to the next round. They got off to a good start and took the lead on 10 minutes after Liam Davenport fed Ryan McMonagle on the right and when he crossed to the edge of the area Andy Porter fired low past Dermot McCafferty.Porter then set up Eddie McIntyre but his effort was well saved by McKelvey. Against the run of play Donegal got back on terms midway through the half after Puaric Harvwy beat the offside trap and fired high past Gerard Crossan from a tight angle. Before the break Redcastle went close when Daniel Harkin’s cross found McMonagle but he headed just wide. The second half was a dour midfield affair with Redcastle pushing but repelled by the visitors defence. The introduction of Charlie McCormick proved effective as on 81 minutes he curled a superb free kick over the wall to the top corner from twenty five yards.They sealed their passage to the next round when McIntyre and Eamon Donnelly combined for McIntyre’s shot to be blocked by McKelvey but when the ball spun loose McCormick was on hand to slot the ball home.

Henry brothers on the mark in local derby victory

Carrowmena FC 3-2    Gleneely Colts

Carrowmena started off at a blistering pace with Dermot Harkin finding Matthew Henry whose first time effort crashed off the bar. On 7 minutes  Gerard Gill saw his effort brilliantly tipped over the bar by Daniel McCauley. On 21 minutes James Henry squared the ball to brother Matthew  to feed Gill whose flick clipped the outside of the post. They opened the scoring on 28 minutes when James Henry beat two defenders before dummying the keeper and floated the ball to the top corner. They doubled their lead minutes later after Michael O’Doherty found Paul Duffy to release Gill and he cut onto his left to volley to the top corner from sixteen yards. Gleneely got back into it and when  the home defence failed to clear John Paul Lafferty fired first time over the head of keeper Michael Noone. On the resumption Gleneely pushed forward but on 65 minutes Carrowmena’s Paul McGowan crossed for Matthew Henry but he miscontrolled and the chance was lost. Paul Duffy then fed Harkin on the right who crossed for Matthew Henry but in the clear he fluffed his effort. Gleneely got back on terms on 87 minutes when Ronan Kearney squeezed the ball home after a corner was not cleared. The home side pushed forward and struck for the winner in the last minute when a superb solo run by Matthew Henry saw him chip the ball over McCauley from the edge of the area.      

Aileach run out of steam in second period

Keadue Rovers    4-1    Aileach FC

It looked promising for Aileach when they led before  the break but they never got going  in the second period. They had claims for a penalty waved away in the opening minute before Ciaran Craig converted Sean McKinney’s cross sliding the ball past keeper Lee Boyle from close range.Midway through the half the home side got back on terms after a defensive mix up allowed Colin McCarron in to shoot low past Ciaran Gallagher.It was close until the hour when Keadue took the lead after Adrian halloran executed a superb lob over Gallagher from twenty yards. Aileach hit back but Craig was denied by a good save from Boyle.Another defensive error let Barry McGarvey fire low to the corner from the edge of the area. Good work by McGarvey in the closing stages saw him cross for Halloran to slot home from close range.

Bredin’s men much too strong for Glenree

Moville Celtic      6-0    Glenree United

Moville dominated this encounter from the start and took the lead on 8 minutes when Nichole Ryan robbed a defender burst into the area and chipped JJ McGettigan from sixteen yards. They made it two minutes later after Ryan crossed for veteran John L Coyle to slot the ball low to the net. Shane Canning’s long range free kick was misjudged by Mcgettigan and saialed to the net on 19 minutes to make it three. A defensive error in the home defence allowed Paddy Douey a chance but his effort was blocked before Hugh Bradley miskicked to spurn a glorious chance for the visitors. McGettigan then made a brilliant double save on 34 minutes to deny Coyle and Colin Doherty in quick succession. McGettigan then parried a Canning cross but Coyle reacted quickest to slot the loose ball home and make it four nil.Glenree tried to respond and when Bradley crossed Robert Moore headed over with Moville keeper Ralph Bredin stranded. Great work by Ritchie McElhinney and Doherty saw Doherty race clear but he missed a gilt edged chance when well placed. Neat interplay between McElhinney and Doherty allowed the former to cross for Ryan to tap home number five on 56 minutes. Coyle then headed the ball onto McElhinney who relased Doherty wide on the right and his low cross was converted by Declan McGuinness from close range. Glenree’s Bradley then saw an effort rebound off the bar before Coyle blasted over the top on 88 minutes after good work by McElhinney.

O’Donnell double sends Aileach through.

Aileach FC             3-1           Rasheney FC

Played in very blustery and windy conditions this was the proverbial game of two halves with Rasheney having the advantage of the elements in the opening period. But it was Aileach who had the early chances with keeper Damien Friel denying Ciaran Craig before Damien Barr fired narrowly wide. Rasheney responded with Shane Collins seeing his shot from the edge of the area well saved by Ciaran Gallagher. Rasheney broke the deadlock on 36 minutes when Emyln Doherty’s shot was parried by Gallagher allowing Collins to slot the loose ball home from six yards.Aileach dominated the second period with Stephen O’Donnell having a shot saved by Friel low to his left. They leveled on the hour when O’Donnell turned well and unleashed a superb shot to the top corner from twenty five yards. Minutes later Anthony Doherty cut in from the left hand side and hammered a great shot to the top corner from twenty five yards to give Aileach the lead. Aileach wrapped it up when O’Donnell pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the area to drill a low shot to the bottom corner on the stroke of full time.

Carrowmena overpower Letterbarrow to advance

Carrowmena FC      8-0                   Letterbarrow FC

Carrowmena dominated but Letterbarrow were awarded a penalty in the opening minute but Michael Noone produced a superb double save to deny the visitors.The home side settled and took the lead when James Henry beat two defenders and shot low to the corner from the edge of the area on 11 minutes. They added a second shortly after when Henry advanced on the right and laid the ball into the path of brother Matthew to slot home from eight yards.Paul Duffy then fed Brian Kone who set up Matthew Henry to fire to the roof of the net from twenty five yards.Carrowmena made it four before the break when good work by Dermot Harkin set up Kone to slot low to the unguarded net. Substitute David Heuston made an immediate impact on 51 minutes when he volleyed home a Harkin cross from twelve yards. Another substitute Paddy McClenaghan got in on the act when Johnathan McLaughlin fed hMcClenaghan who played a one two with Henry before drilling a low shot to the corner from sixteen yards. They made it seven on 76 minutes when James Gillen fed Matthew Henry to beat a defender and square to Harkin who slotted home from point blank range. JP Thompson then fed Heuston who passed to Matthew Henry whose effort was parried but Paul Duffy knocked the ball home in the final minute.

Colts Kelly heads extra time winner

FAI Umbro Junior Cup

Colts ease past Harps                  

Fintown Harps    0-4    Gleneely Colts    

Gleneely made the long trek to Glenties and recorded a well deserved vistory. The home side started well but the colts responded with Iarlaith McLaughlin finding TJ McKinley but McCay in the home goal saved well.

They took the lead midway through the half after Declan Kearney fired a free kick to the top corner from twenty yards.McLaughlin then ran onto Kearneys pass but fired narrowly wide.The home side were reduced to ten men when McMonagle was redcarded and Kearney increased the lead when he dispatched a penalty to the net on 55 minutes.Good work by Jason McElhinney and Iarliath McLaughlin released TJ McKinley and he squared to Eddie McNamee to slot home from close range on the hour.Fintown replied with Stephen Boyle firing just wide on 85 minutes before Gleneely wrapped up the scoring when Ronan Kearney converted a penalty after he had been upended.

Grant double stuns Lifford

Lifford Celtic       0-3              Rasheney FC

First division Rasheney caused the shock of the day when they defeated Donegal league leaders Lifford Celtic in Lifford.They took the lead on 10 minutes when Emyln Doherty’s ball over the top found Darren Grant and he slotted low to the net from fourteen yards. They stunned the home side when they added two goals inside a minute midway through the half.Firstly Shane Collins fed Doherty on the edge of the area and he fired low to the bottom corner from the edge of the area. Within a minute Collins gained possession on the left and despite being surrounded by defenders he squeezed the ball across to Grant who was in acres of space and he made no mistake from twelve yards.Lifford’s best chance came just before the break after Fergal Doherty failed to hold a free kick but James Connolly blazed over.As expected the home side exerted a lot of pressure in the second period

Substitute Damien Friel advanced up the left beat two defenders and fed Anthony Doherty but he failed to hit the target when well placed. They had another chance when Grant’s attempted lob drifted just over the top.

Carrowmena cause huge upset as Clonmany suffer rare home defeat

Clonmany Shamrocks  1-2    Carrowmena FC     AET

Clonmany started the game well with Liam Hirrell heading a Michael Devlin cross over the top on 18 minutes.Carrowmena responded with Matthew Henry firing wide from the edge of the area.Midway through the half they went close again with Brian Kone firing just past the far post with an angled effort from fifteen yards.They opened the scoring on 29 minutes when James Henry released Paul McGowan through the centre and he rolled the ball past Peter Devlin from fourteen yards. The home side replied and when Paul McLaughlin’s corner was flicked on by Niall McDaid the ball fell to Philip Devlin whose effort was touched goalwards by Michael Devlin but Michael Noone saved on the line.In the second period McLaughlin went close when his effort from the edge of the area just cleared the bar.The introduction of Jason Devlin and John McLaughlin in the 65^th minute livened the home side with Patrick Harkin crossing to Steve Harkin to lay off to Jason Devlin but he fired wide.On 79 minutes Devlin equalized after McLaughlin released him to slip ball past Noone from inside the area.Minutes later Carrowmena sub David Houston released Michael O’Doherty but he fired wide.Clonmany upped the pressure with Mark McLaughlin’s cross finding Hirrell whose header was brilliantly tipped over by Noone.Carrowmena then had a chance with Johnathan Mclaughlin firing wide when well placed.In extra time Jason devlin had a snapshot saved by Noone before Johnathan McLaughlin fed McGowan who fired over from eight yards.In the second period McGowans quick corner found Houston but he fired wide when well placed. On 107 minutes Carrowmena scored the winner when McGowan found Matthew Henry through the middle to slip the ball past the advancing Devlin.A minute later Houston was redcarded but McLaughlin’s spot kick was brilliantly saved by Devlin.

McMonagle & Canning fire Moville through

Moville Celtic                2-1    Culdaff FC         

The opening half was a stop start affair with little flowing action.In the 2^nd minute Nigel McMonagle had an effort smothered by Martin McLaughlin before PJ Barr had an effort just over.McMonagle then cut in from the left but again McLaughlin saved easily. The visitors almost took the  lead when   Adrian McGonigle saw an effort rebound off the bar to Lafferty but from point blank range he also struck the bar. Culdaff took the lead in the 32^nd minute with Brendan Lafferty firing past Maurice McGeady after good work by Adrian McGonigle.On 39 minutes McGeady’s kick out  was returned first time by Patrick McColgan but it drifted inches wide.On the stroke of half time McMonagle crossed to Graeme Doherty but his header was well saved by McLaughlin.The home side started the second period well and Declan McGuinness fired just wide after a corner before McMonagle crosses for Ritchie McElhinney but he fired wide from eight yards. Graeme Doherty then got on the end of Declan McGuinness’s free but headed wide from ten yards.They got back on terms on 57 minutes when Shane Canning unleashed a stunning thirty five yards effort which went in off the post.Just after the hour McGuinness found McElhinney whose effort was well beaten away by McLaughlin.McLaughlin was in action again to turn Doherty’s header round the post before the same player fired over after a weak clearance by the visitors defence.Culdaff replied and when a corner caused havoc in the home area Dermot Diver fired wide before a deep cross  was parried by McGeady was fired wide by Conor McLaughlin with the goal gaping.Moville responded with Doherty feeding McMonagle who fired low to the net from the edge of the area.The same players combined well again but McLaughlin advanced to save well who also reacted well to deny McGuinness.

Round Two

Redcastle come from behind to advance

Redcastle United           3-1    Rathmullen Celtic        

Redcastle were first to show on 5 minutes after Seamus Doherty fed Eddie McIntyre but he fired wide before Daniel Harkin burst through the visitors defence but a last ditch tackle from Shaun Barrett stopped him in his trackes.On 35 minutes Harkin sent Brendan Murphy clear but Denis Sheridan saved well low to his left.Harkin then crossed for Mcintyre but his header was tipped over by Sheridan.Rathmullen took the lead on 38 minutes when Colm McCullough converted a penalty awarded for handball.Redcastle replied with Sheridan tipping over Harkins twenty yards effort.Redcastle upped the pace and on 55 minutes McIntyre’s free was blocked and fell to Brian Tracey but Sheridan tipped over.A minute later Raymond Campbell headed Tracey’s free home at the back post to get back on terms.McIntyre and Tracey then combined for Tracey to release Murphy and he scored at the second attempt to give Redcastle the lead.Great play by McIntyre saw him beat two men and chip Sheridan but his effort rebounded off the post.They wrapped it up on 85 minutes when Tracey sent Charlie McCormick clear and he rounded Sheridan to slot home.

Glengad record excellent victory

Glengad United             3-1              Gweedore Celtic

Both teams started well without testing either goalkeeper.Glengad took the lead on 21 minutes with a great solo goal from Terence Doherty beating three defenders and firing to the top corner past Michael Mc Kelvey. Gweedore responded immediately and got back on terms when they were awarded a penalty after  James Boyle was upended allowing Corny Gallagher to convert low past Michael McLaughlin.On 28 minutes Glengad attacked with John G McLaughlin feeding Jason Doherty whose powerful effort hit both posts before being cleared.Glengad started the second period well with Alan Orr, Doherty and Patrick McDermott failing to convert good chances.Gweedore replied with Gallagher seeing his effort cleared off the line by Ruairi Doherty.The same player then set up Stephen McNelis whose attempted lob just cleared the bar.The home side regained the lead after Stephen McLaughlin crossed low for Alan Orr to dummy for Terence Doherty to slot home from close range on 79 minutes.They increased the lead on 85 minutes with another superb goal with Charlie Byrne beating a couple of defenders and firing to the roof of the net from the edge of the area.