HOLDERS GLENGAD PREVAILED in a cracking Charlie O’Donnell Memorial Cup tie at Maginn Park last night.
Glengad United 5-4 Aileach FC
There were hat-tricks for Glengad’s Paddy McDermott and Aileach’s Darren McMonagle in an absorbing game on a brilliant surface at the Buncrana venue.
Glengad (pictured above) scored in what their first attack when Nigel McMonagle’s cross was hammered home from 18 yards by Chris McLaughlin.
They could have been three ahead in the opening six minutes but both Stephen McLaughlin and Matthew Bryne were denied by Aileach keeper David McGeady.
After that torrid start Aileach did settle and equalised in the 13th minute when Gavin Doherty’s mazy run ended with the ball breaking into the path of Darren Gallagher who crossed for Conor Doherty to score.
Four minutes later Glengad were back in front when John McDaid’s cross found Seamus Doherty in loads of space and his looping header found the net.
The same two players combined three minutes later but this time Doherty blazed his shot over the bar.
In the 37th minute Gavin Doherty’s excellent cross just eluded Conor Doherty in the box.
However it wasn’t long until Aileach were back level for a second time. Darren Gallagher’s cross was completely misjudged by Glengad keeper Michael McLaughlin and McMonagle was on hand again to apply the finishing touch to leave it all square 2-2 at the break.
The woodwork denied Matthew Byrne in the second minute of the second half and then Aileach took the lead for the first and only time when Caoimhin McFeely’s fine cross was slammed to the net by Nigel McMonagle.
Glengad raised their game and were back on level terms in the 59th minute when Matthew Bryne’s super pass found Nigel McMonagle and his drive proved too hot to handle for keeper McGeady.
Paddy McDermott pounced to score from close range.
Five minutes later, McDermott scored again when he was given too much time and space when found by John Gerard McLaughlin’s lovely through pass and he was able to steer a brilliant curling shot into the top corner.
Aileach FC
Two minutes later in the 66th minute McDermott completed a quick fire hat-trick after McGeady could only parry Seamus Doherty’s shot and McDermott was on hand to slot home to make it 5-3.
Aileach refused to buckle and were back in when ‘keeper McLaughlin was slow to react to long Cathal McElhinney through ball and Darren McMonagle took full advantage to complete his hat-trick.
Glengad had the better of the closing stages and had several good chances to increase their lead but some poor finishing let them down.
It’s two Cup defeats for Aileach in three days following their League Cup defeat to QPS on Sunday while Glengad continue their unbeaten start to the season and now look forward to an FAI Junior Cup game at home to Raphoe Town on Sunday.
Glengad United: Michael McLaughlin, Stephen McLaughlin, Jason Doherty, John G McLaughlin, Micheal Bryne, John McDaid, Christy McLaughlin, Matthew Byrne, Nigel McMonagle, Paddy McDermott, Seamus Doherty.
Aileach FC: David McGeady, Conor Dunnion, Paddy Slevin, David Ryan, Cathal McElhinney, Darren Gallagher (Thomas McMackin ’76), Darren McMonagle, Damien Barr, Conor Doherty, Gavin Doherty, Caoimhin McFeely.
Referee: Mr. Charlie Doherty.
ROUND-UP
BRIAN BELL’S QPS continued their fine start to the season with a 4-0 win over Redcastle in Gleneely. All the goals came in the second-half with Odhrán McColgan netting twice and Denim McLaughlin and Kevin Wallace also on the mark.
On Tuesday night, Rasheney defeated Dunreee 4-3 in a game that saw all seven goals netted in the first-half.
Declan McLaughlin scored a hat-trick for Rasheney with Tyler McBride also on the mark. In response, Henry Connolly, Liam Baldrick and Darryl Moran scored for Dunree.
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