Late winner seals Glencar Celtic’s victory in dramatic contest with Drumkeen United

AN 88th minute goal from substitute Liam Doherty settled an entertaining Voodoo Venue Cup clash at St Patrick’s Park.

Drumkeen United 4-5 Glencar Celtic

Glencar Celtic’s Doherty held his nerve to pierce a shot past Eamon Conaghan in the Drumkeen United goal to seal the win, although there were screams of “offside” from the home bench.

Then, six minutes into stoppage time, any hope that the hosts had of prolonging the tie ended when a free-kick from Aaron Doherty clipped the top of the crossbar. It was the last kick of the match.

Under the management of Myles Conway and Hugo Bonner, a youthful Drumkeen were in new surroundings having made the opted out of the Ulster Senior League last month.

After 15 minutes, the more experienced Glencar side were 2-0 up with Declan Scanlon scoring twice from close range. However, it was soon 2-2 with Paul Bonner netting on both occasions, the first of which was a header after Dominic Friel failed to gather and the second was following a foul by Peter McNamee.

Glencar edged in front again in the 32nd minute when Kieran Doherty was on hand to score, only for it to go to 3-3 when Eddie McLaughlin was unfortunate to score an own goal.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Drumkeen went in front when Dylan McNamee scored.

Glencar dominated the second half, with Kieran Doherty clipping the crossbar before Aaron Doherty of Drumkeen hit the post at the other end.

McLaughlin atoned for his own goal when he levelled on 76 minutes, tucking home a rebound after Eugene Sullivan had smashed a shot off the base of the post. Time was thin when Liam Doherty settled the contest, to post the win for the team managed by Junior Russell and Garbhan Grieve.

Drumkeen United: Eamon Conaghan; Johnny Black, Kevin Boyle, Johnny Rodgers, Seanie Gallagher; Aaron Doherty, Chris O’Malley, Eoghan Kennedy, Dylan McNamee; Paul Bonner, Peter McNamee. Subs: Aidan Crawford for O’Malley (half-time), Sean Peoples and Mark Conway for P  McLaughlin and Bonner (85).

Glencar Celtic: Dominic Friel; Paddy McLaughlin, Charles McLaughlin, Paddy O’Kane, Rory Gallagher; Eddie McLaughlin, Graham Cullen, Eugene Sullivan, Garbhan Grieve; Declan Scanlon, Kieran Doherty. Subs: Seanie Houston for Doherty (49), Liam Doherty for Scanlon (86).

Referee: Con McLaughlin.