Riversiders on course to reserve
title
09.12.11
QPS Reserves...1
Aileach Reserves...5
(S. Doherty 2, Browne, Porter, G. Doherty)
Caoimhinn Bar reports from
Muff (Photo: Herbie Barr)
AILEACH Reserves took another step in their seemingly
relentless title march, comfortably sweeping aside the
challenge of Quigley’s Point Swifts in Muff on Sunday
morning.
And with Brian Bell’s senior Aileach team slumping to a
surprise home defeat at the hands of Redcastle, the
Riverside second stringers remain firmly on course.
Scoreless at the break, the game exploded into life in
the second period when the visitors blitzed their hosts
with a quintet of quick-fire goals, including a brace
from Stephen Doherty and one each from Graham Browne,
Brendan Porter and Gregory Doherty.
A Shane Curran goal, capping a fine move, gave Quigley’s
Point a brief period of hope with twenty minutes
remaining but in truth Brian McIvor’s never really
looked like matching their opponents. In fact the
scoreline could have been worse had it not been for a
string of fine saves by home keeper Conor McColgan, who
continues to impress.
Missing five or six key players, Quigley’s Point could
not handle the pace and guile of Aileach duo Browne and
Doherty in attack while Brendan ‘Bobby’ Porter and
Ruairi Bradley also caught the eye in Gerald Arbuckle’s
team, which is strong in every area of the pitch. |
Making a useful first start
in midfield for his new club, Gerard ‘Jazza’ McLaughlin
will be eligible to play for the Quigley’s Point Swifts’
senior team next time out after moving from Buncrana
Hearts. McLaughlin combined well, at times, with home
central duo, Gerard Green and John McCloskey, who was
his team’s best player on a morning to forget.
After early sparring, Stephen Doherty had Aileach on the
attack, skipping clear and crossing for Graham Browne to
fire wide from twelve yards. Browne was denied again
soon after when his header was cleared off the line by
John McCloskey following Darren McMonagle’s corner.
The Point replied with Owen McGilloway’s shot deflected
wide before Aileach were back on the front foot with
Stephen Doherty denied by a fantastic one-handed Conor
McColgan save. Doherty whistled another drive narrowly
wide while full-back Mark McLaughlin also skewed an
effort off target as the Riverside men kept the pressure
on. |
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Swifts keeper McColgan
denied Stephen Doherty with another smart stop before
the same player saw a further shot bravely blocked by
central defender Paul Harkin.
In the last action of the opening period, Aileach’s
Graham Browne fired over from distance.
Aileach finally found their groove in the first few
minutes of the second-half when Browne controlled Mervyn
McGowan’s throw-in on the left before clipping a
half-volley over Conor McColgan into the top corner of
the home net for a stunning goal.
Moments later Mark McLaughlin was unlucky to see his
effort crash off the post before Ruairi Bradley drilled
the rebound wide after a superb flowing move involving
Paul McHugh, Graham Browne and Stephen Doherty.
Aileach’s Browne poked wide from a Doherty cross soon
after being QPS keeper Conor McColgan made a great save,
diving low to his right, to thwart Darren McMonagle, who
looked certain to score.
Just before the hour mark the visitors finally killed
the game off when Stephen Doherty lashed in left-footed
after racing onto Graham Browne’s perfect through ball,
played with the outside of his right foot. Doherty fired
high into the roof of the net from twelve yards to give
McColgan no chance.
Ruairi Bradley lifted over McColgan’s crossbar before
veteran Brendan Porter stole through the middle, playing
a one-two with Stephen Doherty, to stroke in a fine
third.
Graham Browne and Darren McMonagle were then narrowly
off-target before Quigley’s Point enjoyed a
mini-revival. Gerard Greene arrowed a shot inches over
the top before Stephen Grant saw a shot deflected wide.
Gerard McLaughlin then headed John McCloskey’s free from
the left onto the bar before Shane Curran pulled a goal
back with a fine finish after an excellent move
involving Greene and McCloskey.
Home hopes were quickly extinguished however when
Stephen Doherty latched onto another stunning Graham
Browne pass to slot in Aileach’s fourth of the morning.
Defender Gregory Doherty drilled in a late fifth to
complete the scoring. With a large number of Aileach
fans in attendance at Muff on Sunday morning, they
headed for home at half twelve having witnessed another
excellent win, safe in the knowledge that the future of
their club looks bright.
Quigley’s Point Swifts: Conor McColgan, Mark
Barron, Christy Harkin, Paul Harkin, Sean McIvor, Gerard
Greene, John McCloskey, Gerard McLaughlin, Shane Curran,
Owen McGilloway, Stephen Grant. Subs: Daniel McLaughlin,
Gerard McColgan, Oisin McColgan, Ryan McColgan, Ian
Cullen.
Aileach: David McGeady, Mark McLaughlin, Mervyn
McGowan, Gregory Doherty, Cathal McElhinney, Brendan
Porter, Ruairi Bradley, Paul McHugh, Stephen Doherty,
Graeme Browne, Darren McMonagle. Subs: Johnny Devlin,
Charlie Carlin, David O’Donnell.
Man of the Match
All the star performers were on the Aileach side with
Stephen Doherty and Graham Brown particularly
impressive. Doherty worked tirelessly across the line
and fired in two fine goals but the award goes to the
mercurial Brown, who was involved in almost everything
the visitors created and volleyed in the all-important
opener to start the rout.
Ref Watch
Not a difficult game to referee with both sides playing
in a sporting manner. Aileach had a big penalty shout
waved away in the closing stages of the first-half but
referee Paddy Hannon was correct to signal play on.
Hannon was fair to both sides and didn’t influence the
result.
Turning Point
Graham Browne’s opener early in the second-half finally
broke home resistance and was followed by a flood of
Aileach goals. Browne’s range of passing and Stephen
Doherty’s running were the key factors. There was no
real turning point as the visitors always looked like
winning.
For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the
Inishowen Independent. |
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