Cockhill Celtic secured a home semi-final in the Donegal News Ulster Senior League Cup thanks to a comprehensive win over Derry City Reserves at the Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds today.
Cockhill Celtic 4 Derry City Reserves 1
Paul McKinney (2), Mark Coyle and Ronan Doherty were all on the mark for Gavin Cullen’s side as they moved above Derry and into a home semi-final meeting with Bonagee United.
Cockhill were a much changed outfit for this one, but dominated proceedings.
Laurence Toland headed wide early on before Malachy McDermott tested Jason McCallion’s reflexes. A Doherty cross was headed behind by Sam Todd and, from the resulting corner, McDermott’s shot was saved by McCallion.
The game burst into life in the last five minutes of the first half.
Cockhill took the lead on 41 minutes when Mark Coyle made ground on the left and put over a fantastic cross which McKinney headed home.
Cockhill ‘keeper Lee McCarron saved from Connor Gormley, but the Candystripes levelled in the 44th minute when Lee McColgan, after spotting McCarron off his line, netted from a speculative long-range effort.
McCarron managed to touch the shot onto the bar, but the ball rebounded back off the unfortunate netminder and over the line.
There was still time for Cockhill to hit the front again as McKinney converted from a penalty after Moran was taken down by McCallion.
Cockhill got their third when Coyle advanced from midfield and fired home with the aid of a deflection.
It became 4-1 when a short corner was collected by Doherty who curled a shot to the far top corner giving McCallion no chance.
