Cockhill Celtic extend lead at top of USL with win at Bonagee

LEAGUE LEADERS COCKHILL CELTIC arrived at Dry Arch Park, knowing a victory would put them four points ahead of Letterkenny Rovers in the league table.

Bonagee United 0-3 Cockhill Celtic

Successive defeats have put paid to any hope Bonagee had of challenging for league honours this season with the title a seemingly three horse race with champions Cockhill, Letterkenny Rovers and Derry City Reserves. Cockhill will take on Derry next week while Letterkenny will host Bonagee. A Cockhill win coupled with Letterkenny dropping points would surely set the Inishowen kingpins firmly on course for a fourth successive title.

In what was a very even first half, a half which Cockhill Celtic lost the services of Gerry Gill to injury, chances were scarce, the most notable a thunderous effort from Mal McDermott which was pushed around the post by Eugene Ferry. 

The men from Inishowen began the second half on the front foot, and were ahead inside two minutes.  With the home side calling for a handball on the edge of their own box, Cockhill played on and Gerard McLaughlin knocked the ball down for Malachy McDermott to finish from 20 yards out, giving Ferry no chance. 

They doubled their lead on the hour mark when hesitancy in the Bonagee backline allowed McLaughlin to cross to Derek Doherty, who made no mistake from ten yards out.  Number three arrived in the 66th minute. 

Bonagee United

A corner was awarded to Cockhill which was taken by Ronan Doherty and McDermott met the delivery with a bullet header into the roof of the net.  Bonagee had a couple of efforts after that through Anthony Appiah, but neither shots bothered Gavin Cullen. 

Bonagee Utd: Eugene Ferry, Jamie Lynagh, Aodhan Cannon, Gareth Breslin, Darren Hunter, Chris Moran, Ciaran Curran, Dean Larkin, Aidan McLaughlin, Anthony Appiah, Ryan McFadden

Cockhill Celtic: Gavin Cullen, Kieran McLaughlin, Jason Breslin, Peter Doherty, Paul McDermott, Mal McDermott, Jimmy Bradley, Gerry Gill, Derek Doherty, Gerard McLaughlin, Ronan Doherty

Referee: Vincent McLoughlin.

Sunday, January 31st at 2pm

4 Lanterns USL

Derry City Res. v Cockhill Celtic

Swilly Rovers v Fanad Utd.

Letterkenny Rovers v Bonagee Utd.

League Table 24/01/16