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Historic Greencastle cup triumph
03.06.11
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Greencastle...3 (Henry (2), Gill) Cockhill Celtic...2 (Kearney, A. Porter) Caoimhinn Barr reports from Maginn Park (Photos: Herbie Barr) GREENCASTLE secured their first piece of silverware in more than two decades after a thrilling triumph over Cockhill Celtic in the Top Four Cup final at Maginn Park on Saturday evening. Aidan Porter’s second-half header looked to have veered Cockhill on the path towards victory but two controversial late penalties, both expertly dispatched by man-of-the-match Matthew Henry, secured a famous win for the Foylesiders. Declan Kearney had blasted Celtic into a first-half lead with Charlie Gill poking home an equaliser soon after before a dramatic finale to the second-half left Greencastle in delirium and Cockhill fuming. With a little more than ten minutes remaining and Greencastle trailing 2-1, Michael Barr turned in the box and went to ground under a challenge before referee Laurence Duggan pointed to the spot despite loud Cockhill protests. |
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Keeping his nerve, Matthew
Henry fired Greencastle level with a superb penalty With extra-time looming and the clock ticking down to the last minute, Barr won another penalty, this time after clashing with Cockhill keeper Leo McColgan. Matty Henry stepped up again, stroking home the last minute spot kick to land Greencastle’s first trophy since the Fr. O’Gara Cup was won in the summer of 1990. Henry was one year old at the time. The late penalty awards caused outrage among the Cockhill supporters and management team on the sideline but when the dust had settled the best team had won. With Henry inspirational in midfield, Greencastle clawed their way back into a game they looked like losing for long periods of the first-half. Cockhill were dominant in the opening period and should really have added to Kearney’s fantastic opener before Gill equalised. |
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Glen Callaghan was off
target with a couple of clear openings while Aidan
Porter drilled wide when well placed. The second-half was a disastrous one for the First Division champions as Greencastle controlled possession, running at the beleagured Celtic defence, making chances at will. Marshalled superbly by Jim Doherty and Sean Cavanagh in the centre of defence, ultimately Greencastle conceded very little after a rocky beginning. Porter’s goal after 75 minutes shocked Eunan McDaid’s men but once Henry found his groove Greencastle were in business. On a perfect pitch at Maginn, it was Greencastle who threatened first; Michael Barr collecting Charlie Gill’s arrowed long pass before firing straight at Cockhill keeper Leo McColgan. Sean McQuillan then controlled a Gavin Harkin throw-in before setting his sights narrowly wide of McColgan’s right-hand upright. Cockhill began to settle into their task and the First Division champions went on to dominate exchanges for much of the next half hour. First Michael Gallagher and Aidan Porter combined dangerously before Declan Kearney just failed to connect with Porter’s dipping cross. Sean Cavanagh came to Greencastle’s rescue to block an excellent Glen Callaghan effort as Cockhill frontman Liam McCarron began to impose himself on the game. It was no surprise when Cockhill went in front moments later. |
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Glen Callaghan turned
brilliantly and laid the ball off to Declan Kearney, who
fired an unstoppable drive past Philip McClenaghan from
25 yards. Aidan Porter then drilled wide before Callaghan spurned two gilt edge opportunities; first heading Porter’s cross wide and then flicking just wide after being put through by Liam McCarron. Making their opponents pay for their profligacy in front of goal, Greencastle levelled two minutes before half-time; Charlie Gill stretching to poke home Matty Henry’s free-kick. The second-half belonged to Greencastle as the Blues, buoyed by Gill’s strike, forced Cockhill onto the backfoot. Matty Henry fired a free-kick from the edge of the area inches wide before the talented midfielder was narrowly off target with another strike following Charlie Gill’s neat lay-off. Henry, Barr and Ryan McClenaghan then almost combined for a priceless lead goal before Cockhill defender Sean Porter brilliantly anticipated the danger. |
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Martin Donaghey then came
to Cockhill’s aid, denying Jack Keys and Michael Barr. Henry and Barr, often on the same wavelength, then contrived to set Charlie Gill on his way but the Greencastle captain saw his snap effort well blocked. On a rare second-half foray into the final third, Cockhill, against the run of play, struck for their second lead of the game. Gathering possession on the left Shane McDaid delivered the perfect cross with the impressive Aidan Porter stooping to head in. The goal proved far from fatal though as Eunan McDaid’s Greencastle men stuck to their task. Within three minutes they got their reward. After Michael Barr was tripped in the area Matty Henry fired a superb leveller from the spot. With ten minutes remaining Greencastle sensed a famous triumph. Gathering Eunan Hegarty’s through ball, Michael Barr saw his shot well saved by McColgan. A minute later Barr fired too high before substitute Danny Murphy saw his shot on the turn saved. With extra-time seconds away, Barr raced onto Charlie Gill’s ball over the top before being taken down by Cockhill keeper Leo McColgan. Referee Laurence Duggan pointed to the spot and ice-cool Henry sent the ball into the same corner and the Greencastle fans home happy. At the final whistle Greencastle players celebrated a thrilling triumph while Cockhill can also reflect on an excellent campaign. Both teams are well equipped to ruffle a few feathers in the top flight next season. Greencastle: Philip McClenaghan, Jack Keys, Gavin Harkin, Sean Cavanagh, Jim Doherty, Eunan Hegarty, Sean McQuillan, Matthew Henry, Michael Barr, Charlie Gill, Ryan McClenghan. Subs: Danny Murphy, Tom Casey, John Gillen. Cockhill Celtic: Leo McColgan, Michael Gallagher, NJ McCarron, Martin Donaghey, Sean Porter, Jarlath Herity, Aidan Porter, Declan Kearney, Glen Callaghan, Liam McCarron, Shane McDaid. Subs: Martin Bradley, Seamus Gill. Ref Watch Laurence Duggan let the game flow all afternoon. Showed a couple of yellow cards in the second-half and was right to make the tough call of awarding two late Greencastle penalties. Turning Point An obvious one. Two late penalties, which gave Greencastle a golden chance to grab victory. Cockhill missed their chance to put the game to bed towards the end of the first-half. Man of the Match Matty Henry. Sublime player. Aidan Porter did well for Cockhill but Henry was, as ever, head and shoulders above the rest. Will be a huge asset to the Premier Division next season. Big Joe While he was later disappointed at Man United’s failure at Wembley, it was great to see Greencastle water man Big Joe Oregan get his hands on a trophy for the first time in more than twenty years. Thanks Well done to Diarmuid O’Brien, Terence Hegarty and Jude McCrossan, among others, who planned to perfection another Maginn Park final. They are a joy to work with and a credit to the Inishowen League. Looking forward to next season already. Also thanks to my namesake Herbie for hundreds of fantastic photos throughout the season. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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