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Sunday 27th April 2008
Ulster Junior Cup Final
Clonmany Shamrocks 3-0 Lagan Harps
The Inishowen side proved much too strong for their Donegal league opponents and in truth but for good goalkeeping and poor finishing the margin of victory could have been more than doubled.Clonmany got off to a dream start with PhilPat Doherty heading them in front before doubling their lead at the end of the first quarter when Stephen McLaughlin’s cross was converted by Jason Devlin.Lagan were restricted to a couple of long range efforts from Kevin Kelly which Peter Devlin dealt with easily.Before the break Stephen McLaughlin found space in the area and turned well but blazed over before on the stroke of half time Clonmany ended the game as a contest.McLaughlin’s corner found Philip Devlin whose header was cleared off the line by a defender but the ball stuck the back of another Lagan defender and squeezed home at the other post.Lagan had their best chance 3 minutes after the restart when Chris Toner ran onto a ball through the middle but lifted his effort way over the top.Clonmany upped the pace with Stephen McLaughlin skipping past a defender and seeing his well struck effort tipped onto the bar by Declan McDermott.Brendan Devlin then broke clear but he was again denied by McDermott before Jason Devlin’s powerful shot was saved by the legs of McDermott again.Midway through the half a long ball from Peter Devlin was headed on by Jason Devlin to substitute Michael Grant who rounded a defender but saw his effort rebound off the post.Clonmany continued to pour forward and when Joe Grant sent Michael Byrne clear his shot was also blocked by McDermott.On 77 minutes Jason Devlin spread a great ball to substitute Steve Harkin who controlled well but fired across goal and wide.On 79 minutes a brilliant move from keeper Devlin involving eight men ended with substitute Paul McLaughlin threading a ball through to Jason Devlin who was again denied by McDermott.Lagan had a corner in the last minute but Gibson’s header was headed off the line by Liam Hirrell as Clonmany claimed their second Ulster Junior cup in three seasons.
Sunday 30 th March 2008
Shamrocks advance to cup final with Lagan Harps.
Clonmany Shamrocks 3-1 Redcastle United
The home side began well with Brendan Devlin having a shot deflected before the same player headed a Michael Byrne cross wide.The visitors replied with Marty McNutt collecting a lay off from Joe Doherty before seeing his effort parried at full stretch by Peter Devlin.Andy Porter then had an effort deflected before Eddie McIntyre had a free superbly parried by Devlin.Minutes before the interval the home side had a great chance when Jason Devlin collected a poor defensive header but blazed over.Clonmany opened the scoring on 51 minutes when after Paul McLaughlin’s free was headed across goal by Steve Harkin for Philip Devlin to fire home from close range.Jason Devlin then failed to hit the target twice before a driven Porter cross at the other end eluded all.On 77 minutes Liam Hirrell fed Brendan Devlin who crossed for Jason to head home from inside the six yards area.They went further ahead six minutes later after McLaughlin’s low cross found Devlin who controlled and drilled low to the net from six yards.Redcastle replied and gained a mere consolation when Brian Tracey turned a defender on the edge of the area and dispatched a brilliant low shot to the bottom corner. But it was too little too late as Clonmany advance to a showdown with Lagan Harps at the end of next month
Sunday 23 March 2008
Sunday 2nd March 2008
Ulster Junior Cup
Shamrocks march on to semi final spot
QPS 0-1 Clonmany Shamrocks
This game was switched to Clonmany and the Shamrocks took full advantage to progress to the semi finals of the Ulster Junior cup.After a quiet opening the point spurned a great chance to break the deadlock on 27 minutes when Terry McColgan was fouled in the area but his spot kick was brilliantly saved by Peter Devlin.Clonmany upped the pace with Steve Hatkin having a shot cleared off the line by Dean Barron and Brendan Devlin’s follow up cleared by Kevin Wallace with the home crowd claiming the ball was in.From the resultant corner Michael Byrne headed over.Paul McLaughlin then had a shot blocked by a defender before Joe Grant had a deflected shot well saved by McColgan.Clonmany started at a furious pace after the break with Byrne skimming the post with a shot before Barron sliced a clearance over his own bar under pressure and Raymond McDaid denied by McColgan when well placed.Byrne again fired just wide before Brendan Devlin had a header tipped over.The pressure paid off midway through the half after Byrne fed Devlin and he found space to shoot low to the bottom corner from fifteen yards.The point replied with Liam Burke feeding McColgan but his effort was blocked by a combination of defenders.Clonmany had late chances but Byrne and Devlin failed to hit the target.
Ten Man Moville battle manfully
St Catherine’s 3-2 Moville Celtic
Played on a very poor pitch the home side went close when Daniel Breslin had a shot well saved by Ralph Bredin before at the other end Graeme Doherty’s free drew a superb save from Andrew Mullin.The home side broke the deadlock on 12 minutes when Mullin found Breslinand he shot low past Bredin from ten yards.Breslin then fired a brilliant twenty yards free kick to the top corner to double their lead.Moville’s chances took a fierce downturn then when keeper Bredin was redcarded for his second caution and it looked all over on 42 minutes when Breslin found Ryan McNelis and he slotted home from close range to make it three nil at the interval.Moville started the second period well with Declan McGuinness and Alan Orr having efforts just wide.They got one back on 55 minutes when Orr fed Nigel McMonagle who rounded a defender and the advancing Murrin to slot home.Gavin Doherty then had a shot tipped over before Graeme Doherty headed over.They got another back on 73 minutes when Colin Doherty crossed for Orr unmarked to slot home at the back post.Moville continued to press and although they forced a couple of corners they failed to find an equalizer.
Sunday 24th Feb 2008
QPS 1 Dunree United 0
The prize for the winners of this tie is another home tie against Clonmany Shamrocks scheduled for next week. Dunree started brightly with Kieran McGrory having an effort blocked by Dan Carlin in the 4th minute. The home side replied with Shaun Harkin having a thirty yards free just clear the bar before Terry McColgan crossed for Harkin but he fired wide from fifteen yards. Dean Barron then crossed but under pressure from McColgan, Noone collected well as the half ended scoreless. Barron then had a long range effort saved by Noone before at the other end substitute keeper Mark Duffy dived full length to turn Liam Baldrick’s effort behind. On 57 minutes Harkin sidestepped a defender but fired across goal before Dunree replied with McGrory heading wide before Sean Doherty dragged an effort wide across the face of goal. The point upped the tempo with Kevin Wallace heading wide from a corner before they broke the deadlock on 82 minutes. Barron fed substitute Raymond Buchanan who laid off to Donny Bell to slot home from eight yards despite the visitors calling for offsides. Dunree’s last chance came when Seamus Gill found McGrory but his effort was blocked by a combination of defenders.
16th Feb 2008
Carn FC 3 Gweedore United 4
The home side’s inability to deal with Fionnan Diver’s long throw caused them untold problems and they amazingly conceded all four goals from such throws .Carn got off to a great start on 2 minutes when Shaun Mclaughlin’s superb solo run was illegally halted in the penalty area and Niall McGuinness sent keeper Joe Duffy the wrong way. They went close again when Robert McCartney found Christy McLaughlin but he fired narrowly wide. Midway through the half the visitors got back on terms when Diver’s long throw eluded defenders allowing Brendan McGeady to slot home from point blank range.Carn replied and on 42 minutes McGuinness’s free found Cathal Doherty but he headed just wide. On 44 minutes Diver’s throw caused confusion in the home defence allowing Frank McGee to prod the ball home from inside the six yards area. Carn hit back immediately when they leveled on the stroke of half time after Doherty fed Darren Burke to fire high past Duffy from twelve yards. Carn retook the lead on 50 minutes when Emmet O’Brien found McLaughlin who advanced and crossed for Doherty to dive full length and head home. Minutes later Doherty almost scored again with another diving header but this time it went just wide. Gweedore replied on 58 minutes and got back on terms when Diver’s throw was flicked on for Charlie Doogan to slot past JJ Doherty from twelve yards. Minutes later a similar scenario saw McGeady’s shot come off the post. Gweedore struck for the winner on 88 minutes when Diver’s long throw deflected off an unfortunate defender and flew past Doherty. Carn threw everyone forward and went close when Burke’s twenty yards effort came off the bar.
9th Feb 2008
Ulster Junior Cup
Orchard United 1-2 Redcastle United
Played in Fanad Redcastle bounced back and were never in danger as they led two nil and conceded a penalty in the last minute.They began well with good approach play by Mickey Feeney finding Brendan McDermott and his low drive was well saved by ex Finn Harps and Donegal keeper Tony Blake.Blake was alert again midway through the half when he intercepted Feeney’s square ball after good interplay between Paul & Joe Doherty and Eamon Reddin.Minutes later Andy Porter released Joe Doherty but he fired straight at Blake who blocked with his legs.Orchard’s first attempt came on 29 minutes but Gerard Crossan gathered Mark Nee’s long range effort with ease.Redcastle replied and on 35 minutes Paul Doherty fed Porter who cut in and unleashed a shot which crashed back off the bar to Feeney who crossed for Joe Doherty’s header to be tipped over by Blake.The deadlock was broken on 39 minutes after a long delivery by Cathal Faulkner found Porter who crossed for Doherty to lay off to McDermott and he drilled a low shot to the bottom corner from fourteen yards.Before the interval in a quick attack McDermott had an effort turned behind by Blake and from the corner McDermott somehow hit the bar from point blank range.Orchard started the second half the better and were on top for the opening fifteen minutes with Mark Nee very prominent but they failed to create clear chances.Redcastle upped the pace with the introduction of Eddie McIntyre and on 76 minutes his rising shot from thirty yards was headed off the line by Paul McGovern.Orchard replied and Nee unleashed a superb twenty five yards effort which was destined for the top corner but Crossan flung himself to his right to tip the ball away.On 84 minutes Redcastle sealed the tie when Crossan’s quick release was picked up by Porter who played a one two with Feeney before slotting home at the back post.Orchard were awarded a dubious penalty for handball in injury time and Blake hammered the kick to the net but Redcastle were in no danger.
Sunday 3rd Feb 2008
McDaid hat trick seals Clonmany win
Clonmany Shamrocks 4 Glenree United 1
The home side blitzed the visitors and were three up after twelve minutes. They got off to a great start after Michael Byrne crossed for Raymond McDaid to side foot home from five yards before on 9 minutes Darragh Doherty found Brendan Devlin whose cross was headed home by Byrne. Three minutes later Byrne then set up McDaid to lob the keeper from close range to make it three nil.Glenree should have got one back after Damien Coyle sent Brendan Robinson clear but with Devlin to beat he shot wide.Clonmany hit back and when Brendan Devlin beat the offside trap his shot was diverted by the foot of keeper Patrick McGroarty onto the post and back into his arms.Glenree replied before the break with Robinson clear again but again firing wide before Barney Boyce drew a fine save from Peter Devlin in the home goal.Clonmany got off to a dream start when they went four nil ahead on 48 minutes after Byrne fed Devlin who crossed for McDaid to volley home from close range and complete his hat trick.Glenree kept plugging away with Martin McLaughlin having a shot parried before Andrew Coyle’s dangerous cross was headed away by Paddy Doherty. They got a consolation on 83 minutes when substitute Darren Greene had a shot parried by Devlin allowing another substitute Gary McClafferty to slide the ball home.
Moville progress in shootout
Carrowmena FC 0 Moville Celtic 0 (Moville win 4-3 on pens)
This local derby was well contested with few chances on either side. Moville had the first real chance on 22 minutes when Gordon Martin fed Declan McGuinness and he in turn released Nigel McMonagle but his effort was saved by Maurice McGeady.The home side went close before the break after an in swinging corner found Mike Price but his header was parried away by Ralph Bredin.On 64 minutes the home side went close after McGuinness fed McMonagle on the right but his cross was well cleared by Price. Moville continued to press with Graeme Doherty and McGuinness having a neat one two on the edge of the area allowing Doherty to strike but McGeady.The tipped the shot over. The home side upped the pace with Raymond Campbell feeding Ritchie McElhinney who in turn found Darryl McDermott but his effort was well saved by McGeady.McElhinney then cut in and found Brian Orr but his effort was saved again by Bredin.Extra time failed to produce any clear chances and it was Moville who squeezed through to the next round.
Keeper McLaughlin ensures Glengad’s progress
Glengad United 1 Lifford Celtic 1 (Glengad won 4-3 on pens)
The home side got a brilliant start on 5 minutes when Paul McDermott intercepted a wayward pass and superbly chipped Lee White from twenty yards.Lifford upped the pace with Daniel Carlin having a shot blocked by Patrick McDermott before Mark Gleeson saw his twenty yards effort tipped over by Michael McLaughlin. Midway through the half Glengad almost doubled their lead when Terence Doherty beat two defenders and rounded the keeper but was forced wide and lost control. A home defender then was dispossessed allowing Carlin to break into the area but McDermott blocked well again. Before the half hour John G McLaughlin combined well with John G McDermott but his cross was headed wide at the back post by McDermott.Lifford got back on terms on 35 minutes after the home defence failed to clear and Gary Lafferty drove a low shot past McLaughlin from inside the area. On the restart the home side began well when McDermott beat the offside trap before firing weakly at the keeper. Both Paul and John G McDermott combined but the latter failed to hit the target before Michael Doherty had a rising shot brilliantly tipped over by White. The best chance of extra time fell to the home side but John G McLaughlin found McDermott and his first time volley flew over. In the shootout it was Glengad who advanced with keeper McLaughlin brilliantly saving the last kick to send his team through.
Missed chances costs the home side dearly
Illies Celtic 2 Lagan Harps 2 (Lagan Harps win 4-1 on pens)
Illies can only blame themselves as they missed some gilt edged chances and paid the price. They began well with Mark McLaughlin firing just over from eighteen yards before Paul Doherty found Gavin Doherty unmarked at the back post but he fired wide from close range. Doherty then set up McLaughlin but his effort was parried by keeper Kelly. They broke the deadlock on 70 minutes after Doherty ran onto McLaughlin’s through ball and rounded the keeper to slot home. Gavin Doherty then crossed to Niall McDaid but he miscued when it looked easier to score. They paid the price on 88 minutes when a defensive mix up allowed Kieran Bradley to convert at the back post. On the stroke of full time the visitors took the lead after Bradley beat the offside trap to run clear and square to Jason Gibson to sidefoot home.Illies threw everything forward and three minutes into injury time Oliver O’Donnell’s driven cross was deflected to the net by an unfortunate defender. For the home side Mark McLaughlin, Alan Fletcher and Paul Doherty all went close in extra time while for the visitors Gibson fired over when well placed. In the shootout it was Lagan who advanced scoring their first four kicks.
Quigley’s Point Swifts 2 Rathmullan Celtic 1
Qps started brightly and Raymond Buchanan tested keeper Dennis Sheridan in the 4th minutes with a volley which Sheridan turned around the post, from the resulting corner Kevin Wallace’s header was goal bound but Sheridan managed to clear with his feet. Point took lead on 16 min Adam Harkin sent Terry Mc Colgan down the right he crossed for Liam Burke to poke home from 6yds, Rathmullan had a chance on 23min when Owen Sheridan found himself facing Dan Carlin in Qps net but he drove into the side net. Rathmullan got their equaliser on 34 min when Niall Doherty was allowed to run unchallenged from midfield and he drove a powerful left foot shot past Carlin from the edge of the box. Terry Mc Colgan and Seanan Mc Colgan both had chances to put Qps ahead before the break but both shot wide. Qps took the lead on 54 min when Seanan Mc Colgan’s pass split the Rathmullan defence and Terry Mc Colgan ran on to slot low past Sheridan from 14 yds. Both teams missed chances after this and Rathmullan’s Dessie Mc Laughlin and Owen Sheridan could have taken the game to extra time in the closing minuets.
Killmacrennan Celtic 1 Illies Celtic 2
Illies took the lead on 35min when Paul Doherty sent a twenty five yard free to the top corner, Killmacrennan equalised on the stroke of half time through Eddie Doherty, Illies got the winner on 65min when Mark Mc Laughlin caught the home defence napping and he made no mistake from the edge of the area.
Lagan Harps 3 Rasheney 2
Lagan took an early lead when Chris Toner scored from the spot after Keith Malseed was upended, Lagan increased their lead on 15min when Kevin Kelly scored from Marty Brogans cross, Denis Hegarty pulled a goal back for Rasheney on 35min, Kelly was then sent off on forty minutes for a second yellow, Eamonn Mahon got Rasheney back on level terms when he headed home from a corner on 75min to take the game into extra time, Paul Rodgers got the winner for Lagan with a free kick in extra time.
Gweedore Celtic 1 Clonmany Shamrocks 5
Clonmany spoiled Gweedores first game on their new pitch with a easy victory, Brendan Devlin put Clonmany ahead on 15min, Jason Devlin made it two on the half hour, Colm Ferry pulled one back for Gweedore just before half time, Brendan Devlin restored Clonmanys two goal lead on 65min, Two more goals from Michael Byrne and Joe Grant ensured Clonmany advanced to the next round.
Ulster Junior Cup Quarter Finals
Glengad United 3-3 Lagan Harps (Lagan Harps won 3-2 on pens)
The home side began well and took the lead on 5 minutes when John McDermott ‘s corner curled in at the back post.A tough midfield battle followed with little in the way of chances until 21 minutes when Stephen McLaughlin was upended on the edge of the area allowing McDermott to fire narrowly over.Lagan replied and broke quickly from defence with Darren Burke on the right seeing a blistering shot tipped onto the post by Michael McLaughlin and from the scramble Kevin Kelly forced the ball home from six yards.On 40 minutes the home side with McLaughlin and Jason Doherty combining to release Michael Doherty whose rising shot sailed just over.Lagan responded and Damien Doran was fouled allowing Burke whose free was well saved by McLaughlin.Lagan started the second period well and took the lead on 52 minutes when Doran and Burke combined for the latter to slip the ball over McLaughlin but when it came off the bar Doran was unmarked to head to the empty net.They increased their lead on the hour mark after Kevin Kelly superbly curled the ball around the wall and in off the post from the edge of the area.The home side replied when on 75 minutes Patrick McDermott played a neat one two with Michael Doherty and advanced to play another one two with Paul McDermott before firing to the top corner from sixteen yards.Glengad scored a dramatic equalizer in injury time when Paul McDermott picked the ball up in the area and surrounded by three defenders managed to wriggle free and poke the ball home past the keeper.Lagan responded with the home side clearing their lines via Shane and Jason Doherty.The only chance of extra time came in the second period when John McDermott’s corner found Shane Doherty whose back post header crashed of the bar. And then in the shootout it was Lagan who prevailed by three goals to two.
Gweedore United 0-1 Redcastle United
Played in blustery conditions Redcastle were against the wind but had the first effort on 10 minutes when Cathal Faulkner drove straight at keeper Liam McFadden from twenty yards.Gweedore replied with Frank McGee’s twenty yards effort well saved by Gerard Crossan before Fionnan Diver cut in from the left and fired just wide.They were unlucky on 21 minutes when Sean Diver fired a twenty yards effort off the base of the post before Redcastle replied.Marty McNutt’s looping cross found Brian Tracey but his header came off the post before another McNutt cross found Andy Porter and his header was cleared off the line by Brian Gallagher.Redcastle were desperately unlucky again minutes later after Martin Farren’s cross was also cleared off the line by Paul Doogan.Gweedore hit back and on the stroke of half time Crossan produced an unbelievable save to deny Kieran McFadden from eight yards.Redcastle started the second period better and Paul Doherty volleyed over the top on 52 minutes.The remainder of the game saw few chances and defences on top until the 85th minute when Paul Doherty unleashed a tremendous twenty five yards strike low to the bottom corner and avenge last seasons final defeat.