There were no games today in the Jackie Crossan Premier Division of the Inishowen League, but the action continued in Divisions 1 and 2
Strand Hotel Division One
Aileach Res 1 Sea Rovers 1
The home side will view this as two points dropped but are still in contention. Rovers had an early effort from Damien Ward well saved by David McGeady. Aileach took the lead on 12 minutes after a Ciaran Craig low effort was parried by Glen Watson to Seamus O’Donnell who slotted home the rebound.
Midway through the half James Wallace saw a powerful effort turned round the post by Watson. On 40 minutes Rovers Ward blasted a free kick over the bar.
In the second period another free from Ward failed to hit the target. Good play on 62minutes by Ryan McDaid for the home side but his effort was deflected wide before Ciaran Craig fired over the bar when well placed.
Rovers equalised on 82 minutes when a long clearance by Watson released Gary Doherty who lobbed McGeady from the edge of the area.
Inishowen Engineering Division Two
Cockhill Res 2 Carn Res 2
Despite some early pressure from Cockhill, Carn took an early lead on 5 minutes when a poor clearance from Cockhill allowed Cade Cooke in behind who finished well past Cockhill keeper Liam Lynch.
Cockhill responded well and finally made their pressure pay, equalising on 12 minutes when Ryan Duffy scored with a well placed lob over Fergal Bradley and in to the Carn net after running on to a good through ball from Gary Breslin.
Just as it looked like Cockhill were going to add a second they were caught short at the back again with a hopeful ball forward finding its way straight through to Cade Cooke, his shot was saved by Liam Lynch but the loose ball was put away well at the back post by Caolon Doherty to give Carn the lead again.
Both teams has opportunities shortly after with Cockhill finishing the half the stronger with a succession of corners but could not find a second goal before half time. Cockhill started the second half the stronger team and came close on several occasions but the Carn defence held firm and the Carn keeper Fergal Bradley denying Ryan Mallet, Ryan Duffy and Gary Breslin to keep Carn in the lead.
Carn defended well as Cockhill piled on the pressure for the majority of the second half and looked to be holding out for a win until Cockhill managed to score a late equaliser.
A good free kick deep in to the box by Conor Allen looked to be heading in and the faintest of touches from Shaun McDaid made sure at the back post to salvage a late point for Cockhill and no more than they deserved for their second half dominance.
Aileach Youths 3 Greencastle Res 1
Both sides started the game slowly on a fine morning for football. In the opening exchanges, Patrick Curran was proving a handful for the Greencastle defence while Oran McDermott was always an outlet for Greencastle.
On fifteen minutes a through ball by Shane McMonagle sent Curran clear but Pauric Corey Doherty raced from the goal to save with his feet. Aileach continued to press with Curran, McMonagle and Killian O’Rourke prominent.
Five minutes before half time it was O’Rourke who collected a pass from Daibhidh Grant and advanced into the box before driving a shot across the keeper and into the net via the inside of the post. Aileach almost doubled
their lead on the stroke of half time when O’Rourke’s cross was smashed against the bar by Callum Porter from ten yards.
Greencastle keep out with a bit more determination in the second half and got an equaliser with 20 minutes to go when Ronan Doherty collected the ball on the right and drove a low cross into the box that was volleyed into the net by Oran McDermott from the penalty spot into the net giving Clarke no chance in the home goal. Aileach regained the lead minutes later when Eddie McGrath wriggled
his way into the box and fired a shot towards goal that was saved by
Doherty with his feet. The rebound ran to Benny Hegarty just outside the box who steadied himself before firing into the bottom corner.
Aileach wrapped the game up with five minutes to go when O’Rourke beat two men out wide before whipping in a dangerous cross that was turned into the net by an unfortunate defender. Greencastle pressed to get back into the game but were repelled by the impressive Declan O’Donnell and Matthew McDermott.
Redcastle Res 6 Culdaff Res 1
After a bright start the home side took the lead when good play between Brian Tracey and Sean Ferns saw the latter score with a right foot shot from the edge of the area. Culdaff had a good chance when Niall McLaughlin had a one-on-one with the keeper but Terry Mc Colgan gathered the ball at the second attempt.
Redcastle got a second goal on the 25th minute when a corner from Tracey was headed home by Mickey Mc Colgan. Redcastle got a third from the penalty spot when Tracey was upended in the box and Daniel Harkin dispatched the penalty past Pauric O’Donnell.
Culdaff got a free kick just outside the box and Thomas O Brien scored with a great left shot to reduce the deficit.
Culdaff started the brighter in the second half and had the first chance when a good cross from Jcck Mc Laughlin drifted past the back post. But Redcastle got a fourth in the 52nd minute when a great ball from Gary Kelly found Tracey and he lobbed O’Donnell from twenty five yards.
Redcastle kept pressing and a snap shot from Aodhán Ferns went narrowly wide. The home side went five one up after Daniel Harkin played a ball to the back post where Fergal Buchanan controlled well before placing the ball in the left corner.
Both teams emptied the bench at this stage. Redcastle completed the scoring when a mix up in the Culdaff defence left Fergal Buchanan with an easy chance which he dispatched easily.
