Here are all of the results and match reports from another big weekend of Inishowen League football action.
Good Friday 29th March
Jackie Crossan Premier Division
Glengad United 0
Cockhill Celtic 6
After a slow start Cockhill created the first chance on 15 minutes when Jamie McKinney fed Garbhan Friel but his effort was saved by Zach Conlon. Midway through the half a Lee McColgan free kick from the edge of the area flew just wide. On the half hour another McColgan free drew a superb save from Conlon but from Conor Graham’s deep corner Odhran O’Brien-Daly headed home at the back post to give the visitors the lead. Glengad worked hard throughout the half and Terence Doherty had a twenty yards effort which failed to trouble Harry Doherty in the visitors goal. Cockhill put the game to bed with three goals in the opening ten minutes of the second half. On 48 minutes Friel headed home a Graham cross at the near post. Minutes later after good build up between Jamie McKinney and Jack Mullan the ball found Patrick McLaughlin inside the area to drill past Conlon. Then Friel added a fourth from close range after the home defence failed to clear a corner. The home sides task was not helped by the dismissal of Terence Doherty for a second yellow card. Cockhill added later goals with Luke Rudden scoring twice in the closing stages firstly from a McColgan pass then getting on the end of Mullan’s cross to finish well.
Moville Celtic 1
Buncrana Hearts 3
After an even opening to the game the visitors had the first opportunity with an Eoin Murphy free kick which was tipped over by Evan Hudner in the home goal. Hudner was again called into the action when he gathered a Jamie McDaid effort at the second attempt. Moville responded with Lee McColgan feeding Luke McFadden and his shot was saved by Taylor Clarke. Out of nothing Buncrana opened the scoring in the 29th minute when Aaron McDaid collected possession turned and fired to the top corner from twenty five yards. Minutes later the same player had another shot blocked but fired the rebound over the bar. Moville rallied and got back on terms when Ryan and Lee McColgan combined for the latters cross to be sidefooted home by Reece Gillen. But on the stroke of half time Buncrana regained the lead with Jamie McDaid under pressure turning inside the area and drilling low past Hudner. The visitors increased their lead then on the hour mark with Conor Doherty firing a superb free kick around the wall and into the bottom corner from twenty five yards. Moville had a couple of half chances with Marcus Rule and McFadden firing over the bar. Buncrana finished the stronger and Bart Wesolowski and Jamie McDaid had efforts saved while Kieran McDaid was off target with another.
Strand Hotel First Division
Cockhill Youths 1
Dunree United 0
The home side began well with Ryan Downey firing wide and PJ Doherty seeing an effort saved. Dunree replied with a Liam Baldrick free from distance which sailed over the bar. Another free kick from Baldrick was well gathered by Darragh O’Donnell. Cockhill responded and a neat one two between Mason McDaid and Darragh McDermott on the edge of the area was saved by Adam Harrigan but Liam Bradley failed to control the rebound. McDermott’s free into the area and after a scramble Christopher Duffy is denied from point blank range by a defender. A Dunree corner at the other end flashed across the face of goal but there were no takers. The final chance fell to the home side when McDermott’s driven cross was well gathered by Harrigan. Cockhill began the second half well with Bradley denied by Harrigan who then tipped a McDermott effort over the bar . Midway through the half a low cross by Danny McDaid eluded all and rebounded off the far post before being cleared to safety. On 70 minutes for all their pressure the home side had a let off when a long free kick into the area came off a defender and off the post. Cockhill broke the deadlock shortly after this after a free kick into the area was headed across goal by Ryan Downey for Dean O’Donnell to slot home. Dunree tried to reply and Jamie Brosnan fired a free kick over the bar. Both Ryan Mcdaid and Bradley were off target for the home side before the final chance fell to Dunree but Brosnan volleyed over from the edge of the area.
Rashenny FC 1
Culdaff FC 2
The home side had the better of the opening half and will have been disappointed to have gone in level at the break. A David Mclaughlin cross found Abdul Alrasheed who miskicked and when the ball fell to Cormac Dillon his effort was blocked. At the other end a Jack O’Brien effort as saved by Gavin McLaughlin. Midway through the half the home side took the lead when Dillon advanced and crossed for Mclaughlin who swivelled and fired an angled effort to the far corner. Gareth McKeever then cut in from the left and flashed an effort just past the far post. Rashenny continued to press and forced a succession of corners but from the final one Culdaff broke quickly and a Michael Coyle shot was turned round the post by the home keeper. Culdaff had a good spell after this with Keelan Doherty denied by McLaughlin before they got back on terms before the break. O’Brien collected a defensive clearance and lobbed McLaughlin from distance. Before half time the home side saw Dillon unmarked shoot wide when well placed while a dangerous Al Rasheed cross was gathered by Patrick McLaughlin with two attackers lurking. The visitors started the second half well with O’Brien denied by the legs of Mclaughlin before the ball broke to Niall Gordon inside the area and he hammered through a crowd of players to the net. Rashenny responded and substitute Tyler McEleney had a hooked cross shot saved before David McLaughlin s effort shaved the post and McEleney was then denied seeing an effort cleared off the line. Minutes later David McLaughlin surrounded by defenders got a shot away which was saved. Culdaff upped the tempo and substitutes Sean O’Neill and Bryan McCandless threatened with the former off target and the latter denied by a superb Peter Doherty tackle. Rashenny substitute John McLaughlin then saw an effort tipped over by the culdaff custodian. The final chance fell to the visitors after a misplaced pass saw McCabdless gain possession inside the area and he sidestepped a defender and the goalkeeper but saw his effort headed off the line by Peter Doherty.
Redcastle United 4
Greencastle Youths 1
The home side created an early chance when Shaun Curran won possession in midfield and fed Darragh McConway but his effort was saved by Stephen Teles in the Greencastle goal. Redcastle opened the scoring on 15 minutes after Curran’s effort was cleared by Willian O’Carroll only as far as McConway who fired to the top corner. But Greencastle levelled within minutes when Evan Davenport went past a defender and lobbed Michael McCole form the edge of the area. The home side then regained the lead on 36 minutes when Curran and Jack McConellogue combined to release McConway who fired low past Teles for his second of the game. The home side got a firm grip of the game minutes later after Stephen Grant cut inside a defender into the area before shooting low past Teles to the far corner. Redcastle increased their lead on 51 minutes when Curran’s corner deflected off a defender and past Teles who had no chance. Greencastle battled back and midway through the half Cian Sharkey crossed for Ben Doherty who fired over the bar. Redcastle responded with Curran finding Darren Kelly in a wide position and he cut inside but shot narrowly past the post. The final chance came at the other end Gavin Rowan fed PJ McDermott but his effort produced a fine diving save from McCole.
Inishowen Football League Reports
30th /31st March
Inish Grass Division 2 Shield Final
Cockhill Colts 3
Culdaff Res 1
The first final of the domestic season saw the experience of the Cockhill Colts side overcome the youthful challenge of Culdaff Res in Maginn Park on Saturday evening. While Culdaff had plenty of possession they struggled in the final third to create clear chances with too many over hit passes in good positions.Cockhill started the better and on 5 minutes a Liam McCarron acrobatic effort was saved low to his left by Odhran Douglas. They took the lead after a superb pass from Martin Donaghey inside the full back allowed Gavin Doherty to break clear on the left and while Douglas blocked his initial effort Doherty fired the rebound home from a tight angle. Culdaff responded with a Matthew McGoldrick effort which took a deflection and had Graham Doherty scrambling across goal but the ball drifted past his right hand post. Before the break Culdaff went close again with a long range effort from Gary Collins just over the bar. Cockhill had the first attempt on goal after the break with a Joe Doherty free held by Douglas. Culdaff then equalised on 61 minutes after Conor McColgan broke on the left and his driven cross found McGoldrick who shot low first time past Doherty from sixteen yards for an excellent finish. But Cockhill dominated the remainder of the game threatening on numerous occasions. Minutes after the goal a swift break saw Jude O’Donnell pull the ball back from the byeline for Mark Gillespie who from point blank range was denied by a brilliant Nathan Mullarkey tackle and from the corner Dohertys header was superbly clawed away by Douglas low to his right. Substitute Karl Kelly then headed a corner over the bar before Cockhill regained the lead on 73 minutes. Gavin Dohertys superb cross from the left saw Kelly nip in ahead of Douglas to head home with the keeper claiming he had his hands on the ball but the goal stood. But the Colts put the game to bed in the 83rd minute after Kieran McLaughlin played the ball forward to the edge of the area where Jude O’Donnell took one touch before hammering the ball low into the bottom left hand corner from twenty yards for a superb goal. On the stroke of full time substitute Paul McKinney fed McCarron who flashed an effort just past the post as Cockhill deservedly won the shield.
Man of the Match
For the runners up Dermot Diver, Sonny Bonner and Matthew McGoldrick were prominent throughout while for the winners the Donagheys were solid at the back, Liam O’Donnell was the architect of much of their attacking play but the award goes to left winger Gavin Doherty who scored one goal, set up another and was a constant threat to the Culdaff defence with his direct running and pace.
Donegal Signs Challenge Cup Semi Finals
Greencastle FC 2
Cockhill Celtic 3
Played in glorious conditions at Chapel Lane before a big crowd Greencastle took the lead in the 15th minute after Michael Barr found Seamus McLaughlin who advanced into the area on the left and from a tight angle fired high to the roof of the net past Harry Doherty. Cockhill had a lot of pressure and were dangerous from set pieces but failed to create any clear chances with the home side defending well. Greencastle then doubled their lead before half time after good interplay between Jamie McCormick and McLaughlin saw the latter find Michael Henry inside the area and from twelve yards he slotted low past Doherty. Cockhill upped the tempo in the second half forcing the home side back and got back into the game in the 59th minute after Garbhan Friel got on the end of a Corey McBride cross to head home. Greencastle had a great chance to restore their two goal lead minutes later but McLaughlin fired wide when well placed. On 70 minutes the visitors got back on terms when a Brendan McLaughlin cross came off a home defender and into the net. Cockhill completed the turnaround on 79 minutes after a ball into the home penalty area broke kindly for Friel to sidefoot home from twelve yards. The visitors saw the game out to advance to the semi finals.
Buncrana Hearts 5
Illies Celtic 2
The home side had the first opportunity when Kieran McDaid’s cross found Jamie McDaid but he volleyed over from the edge of the area. At the other end a Paul Doherty free was deflected wide and from the corner Dominic Doherty headed over when unmarked. Buncrana broke the deadlock on 21 minutes after a Jamie McDaid corner was poked home by Shaunie Bradley from close range. They doubled their lead on 27 minutes after Kieran McDaid collected possession and advanced to unleash a thirty yards screamer to the top corner past Johnathan Noone. But Illies got back into the game after a quick free caught the home defence off guard and Michael Owen Doherty effort crept beyond the grasp of Taylor Clarke in the home goal. The final chance of the half fell to the home side when a Conor Doherty free found the unmarked Aaron McDaid who headed wide. Buncrana were first to threaten after the break from a Kieran McDaid corner with Eoin Murphy heading over the bar. But the visitors equalised on 56 minutes after a good advantage was playd and Patrick Curran was upended in the area with Adrian Donaghey-Doherty sending Clarke the wrong way from the penalty spot. Within minutes the home side regained the lead after Jamie McDaids cross was inadvertently headed past Noone by an unfortunate defender. They increased their lead again to two goals with a superb solo effort when Aaron McDaid won possession and advanced to unleash a superb twenty five yards effort to the top corner. Illies were dealt a blow then after Deaglan Bowen was red carded for an off the ball incident and the home side sealed their passage to the semi finals when Conor Dohertys cross was slotted home by Bart Wesolowski.
Strand Hotel First Division
Greencastle Youths 2
QPS 0
With the game switched to muff it was QPS who had the first big chance. Mark Murray was slid through one on one with Stephen Teles and it was Teles who came out on top pushing the shot wide of the post. At the other end Greencastle nearly took the lead from a corner. Ben Doherty swung in the cross and Shay Doherty smashed a header off the bar and the ball was cleared. A few minutes later Greencastle had another chance when a smart free kick from Evan Davenport was squared to Paul Brennan whose goal bound shot was blocked on the line by Ruari O Donnell. QPS next had a great chance to score when they caught Greencastle sleeping in a free kick. The ball was played in to the box and after a scramble Lee Rutherford blasted it over. A few minutes later a long ball over the top was chased down by Mark Murray who found himself one on one with Teles again. Teles came out on top with an even better save than the first one. QPS had another great chance to take the lead when a diagonal ball into the box from Aaron Scott was met first time by John McCloskey. Teles again made a wonderful save to keep the score level. The second half started of tight with QPS controlling the ball and Greencastle looking for the quick counter. The first clear chance fell to Evan Davenport who was put through one on one by Shay Doherty. Conor O Neil making a fine save. Greencastle then won a penalty when a good run from Evan Davenport brought him into the box where he was taken down. Davenport stepped up and buried it in the bottom corner. QPS pushed forward looking for an equalizer and pinned Greencastle back in their own half for large parts of the final 20 minutes but found the Greencastle defence hard to break through.With the last kick of the game Evan Davenport ran onto a ball over the top from Cian Sharkey, rounded Conor O Neill in nets and tapped the ball into the net for another big win for Greencastle Youths in the relegation battle.
Culdaff FC 2
Buncrana Res 0
Buncrana had the first effort on goal with a free kick from Jerry Gill going over the bar. Culdaff replied and an Aiden Cunningham effort was saved by Eoin O’Doherty before a Jack O’Brien free came off to wall to Michael Coyle who shot over the bar.On 28 minutes at the other end a Michael Doherty free was deflected behind for a corner which was cleared by the home defence. Culdaff opened the scoring on the half hour mark after O’Brien and keeper O’Doherty challenged for the ball and the loose ball was slotted home by Keith Norris from close range. Before the break O’Brien saw an inswinging corner come back off the bar while Eoin McNamee had a shot saved by Mark Smith on the stroke of half time. Culdaff started the second half well with Norris and Ben Curley both seeing efforts saved before a superb cross from Cunningham just eluded Ryan Greene at the back post. Midway through the half the visitors spurned a good chance after Keith Elliot-McKinney played a superb ball into Doherty who dragged his effort wide of goal. On 80 minutes a good effort from Elliot-McKinney from the edge of the area drew a good save from Smith. A minute later at the other end the home side sealed the points after Ben Curley robbed a defender and fed O’Brien who slid the ball through for substitute Jack Curley to calmly slot past O Doherty. Another substitute Patrick Mclaughlin had a shot comfortably saved before the final chance saw a Cathal McGrenaghan effort from twenty five yards tipped over by O’Doherty at full strtetch.
Hannon Greene Insurances Fr O Gara Cup
Cockhill Res 2
Rashenny FC 4
The young Cockhill team started this game on the front foot against their more experienced Division 1 opponents with Cockhill passing up a number of good early chances to take the lead.Cockhill did eventually make their early pressure count on 20 minutes. Tiarnan Moran with a clever, quick free kick finding Cahir McDaid who did well to win the ball and composed himself to slot home past Rashenny keeper, Gavin McLaughlin. Five minutes later Rashenny leveled with their first clear opportunity on goal. An early ball forward catching the Cockhill defence out allowing David McLaughlin through on goal and from a narrow angle he fired a great shot into the far corner past Cockhill keeper, Lee McColgan. Undeterred by that setback Cockhill were still creating chances with Rashenny keeper Gavin McLaughlin the busier keeper. Firstly, McLaughlin denied Cahir McDaid a second, tipping his volley on to the bar then minutes later making a great stop getting down low to his right turning Shayne Gallagher’s low shot round the post. The game turned in Rashenny’s favour in a five minute spell just before half time when Rashenny capitalised on some slack play from Cockhill and punished them on both occasions. Declan McLaughlin was first on target to make it two with a powerful header and moments later David McLaughlin proved clinical again to give Rashenny a 3 – 1 lead at the break. The second half started an even affair with little goal mouth chances of note in the early stages. It was Cockhill who were first to threaten the goal when Joe Lavery broke down the right and his cross found Ethan O Toole but his first time effort was well held by Gavin McLaughlin. Just as Cockhill looked like getting back in the game a mix up at the back allowed David McLaughlin the easy task of putting the ball into an empty net to complete his hat-trick and all but seal a semi-final spot for Rashenny. Cockhill kept going and they were rewarded for their efforts late on. Three second half substitutes combined well with Finn O’Toole turning well in midfield to pick out Cameron Robertson and his forward pass found Szymon Szczepanski whose neat first time finish completed the scoring.
Inishowen Engineering Division 2A
Sea Rovers 3
QPS Youths 0
A good positive start by the home side saw them take an early lead when Rovers Ryan Doherty took advantage of a poor defensive pass and tapped in from close range . Rovers maintained possession and Mathew Harley and Andrew Gallagher were both denied by QPS keeper Jamie Mc Colgan. Before the break a corner in by Rovers was headed by Ryan Doherty and parried by McColgan but the rebound fell to Declan Mc Gonagle to slot home and leave the home side two nil ahead . Rovers were fairly dominant at the start of the half with the QPS keeper McColgan kept busy with efforts from Andrew Gallagher and Declan Mc Gonagle well saved. Plenty of pressure from Rovers saw a good run from Liam Gallagher and a fine strike was well saved with Conor Kelly pouncing on the loose ball to make it three nil and clinch the points for the home side who move three points clear at the top of he table.
Inishowen League: all of this weekend’s match reports and results was last modified: March 31st, 2024 by