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McDaid keeps Clonmany hopes alive
15.12.11
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Clonmany Shamrocks...3 (P. Devlin, Coyle, McDaid) Redcastle United...2 (Curran, Murphy) Caoimhinn Barr reports from Shamrock Park (Photos: Herbie Barr) MIDFIELDER Ray McDaid struck a last gasp goal to keep Clonmany’s title hopes alive and kicking after a most dramatic finale at Shamrock Park on Sunday afternoon. The home team looked to be coasting towards a comfortable yet vital 2-0 win courtesy of first-half goals by Jason Devlin and Jamie Coyle before Redcastle hit back with two injury-time strikes from James Curran and Brendan Murphy. With the visiting supporters celebrating vigorously along the far sideline and the Clonmany contingent stunned into silence, McDaid duly clipped in Daniel McLaughlin’s cross from the right in the fourth minute of added time to send the champions into delirium and secure a precious 3-2 home win. |
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The late, late victory
moves Shaun Devlin’s men up to second in the table, just
four points behind Aileach and above Glengad, who could
only manage a draw at home to Moville. And with a trip
to the Crua pencilled in for this Sunday, Clonmany will
hope to blow the title race even more wide open with a
third straight league win. Underdogs going into Sunday’s game, Redcastle may have expected to leave Shamrock Park without a point but the manner of their defeat was a bitter blow to the Foylesiders, who are far from clear of the dreaded drop with six league games remaining. |
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Without the injured Martin
Farren, John Logue employed Seamus Doherty alongside
Cathal Faulkner in the centre of defence with James
Curran and Paul McGowan providing occasional glimpses of
threat on the wings. Quieter than usual for much of the afternoon, Redcastle dangerman Brendan Murphy managed to extend his rich run of scoring while strike partner Terry McColgan kept the home defence on their toes throughout. Missing inspirational veteran Brendan Devlin, Clonmany spent much of the game playing within themselves with Jamie Coyle and Jason and Michael Devlin delivering the odd moment of magic. |
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Failure to kill off
Recastle in the second period almost cost the Shamrocks
any hope of retaining their title and manager Shaun
Devlin will know that his side will have to find a
higher gear to win at Glengad this weekend. Clonmany started brightly though; Steve Harkin drilling narrowly wide before Alan Friel’s shot was blocked after intelligent work by Michael Devlin. In Redcastle’s first attack Brendan Murphy’s header was blocked by Liam Hirrell after James Curran’s dangerous cross from the right wing. By the tenth minute Clonmany had opened their account. And what an opener! Jason Devlin’s stunning 30-yard drive, which dipped over the head of Redcastle keeper Michael McCole and in off the crossbar, was a goal of the season contender from one of the league’s standout players. |
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Less than two minutes later
the Shamrocks almost doubled their advantage but Alan
Friel was out of luck when his low shot crashed off the
foot of the post following Michael Devlin’s corner from
the right. Redcastle should have levelled minutes later after James Curran found himself in behind the home defence in clear space; the winger confronted Clonmany keeper Peter Devlin before laying the ball into the path of Brendan Murphy who was also unlucky to see his effort smash against the post as a posse of defenders struggled to get back onto the line. United midfielder Gavin McCauley then stung the palms of Devlin with a fierce drive before wing-back Mark McLaughlin had Clonmany on the attack once more. On the half hour mark Clonmany went two clear went Jamie Coyle gathered in McLaughlin’s long pass before racing clear of the Redcastle defence, rounding keeper McCole and slotting in from the tightest of angles. Minutes later McCole kept his team in the hunt, bravely diving at the feet of Coyle following Alan Friel’s cross. With the last action of the first-half McCole made another fine stop to deny Michael Devlin. The second period saw relegation-threatened Redcastle come more into the game with Colm McLaughlin seeing a shot deflected wide before Clonmany keeper Peter Devlin brilliantly gathered Gavin McCauley’s threatening cross. With Daniel McLaughlin and Darren Coyle coming into the fray for Clonmany, the home team fired three shots in anger soon after. Jason Devlin’s effort was deflected just over after good work by Michael Grant before another Devlin attempt whistled inches too high with Michael Devlin also off target from distance. Becoming more of a threat as the game progressed, Redcastle almost pulled a goal back but Colm McLaughlin headed Marty Byrne’s free-kick wide before wideman Paul McGowan set his sights too high from 25-yards. In a stirring finish, Redcastle thought they had salvaged a draw after Curran and Murphy fired home before McDaid rescued a win for Clonmany with an assured finish under intense pressure. This weekend Redcastle face a crucial Foyleside derby at Greencastle, where they must get at least a draw while Clonmany head to Glengad in confident mood. Clonmany Shamrocks: Peter Devlin, Mark McLaughlin, Michael Grant, Liam Hirrell, Philip Devlin, Raymond McDaid, Steve Harkin, Jamie Coyle, Michael Devlin, Alan Friel, Jason Devlin. Subs: Daniel McLaughlin, Darren Coyle, Brendan Devlin, Paul McLaughlin. Redcastle United: Michael McCole, Liam Davenport, Marty Byrne, Seamus Doherty, Cathal Faulkner, Gavin McCauley, James Curran, Colm McLaughlin, Brendan Murphy, Terry McColgan, Paul McGowan. Subs: Liam McLaughlin, Emmett McConway, Kevin Toner. Man of Match Cathal Faulkner, as ever, was one of Redcastle’s better performers while James Curran also caught the eye. Clonmany were excellently marshalled at the back by Philip Devlin with Michael Devlin also prominent in attack. The award goes to another Devlin though - Jason, who is in the running for player of the year. Turning Point Possibly for the first time ever two goals in injury time did not provide the game’s key moment. In fact Ray McDaid’s third goal in injury time was the crucial strike. Before that Clonmany were coasting but would have been left kicking themselves had it not been for the midfielder’s late intervention. Ref Watch Not a difficult game for Eamon Doherty to officiate with both teams playing in a sporting manner throughout. Was right to wave away a couple of penalty appeals and allowed the game to flow as much as possible. Fair to both sides and didn’t influence the result. Crunch Clash Clonmany’s victory sets up a crunch clash against Glengad United at the Crua this weekend. The winners of that game will take some stopping when it comes to Premier League glory. Aileach have steadied the ship too and Moville are also in the hunt. All of which points to another fantastic Inishowen League year. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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