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O’Doherty hits hat-trick for
five-star Carrowmena
12.01.12
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Cockhill Colts...1 (G. Breslin) Carrowmena...5 (M. O’Doherty 3, Lynch, Gill) Caoimhinn Barr reports from Cockhill (Photos: Herbie Barr) MICHAEL O’Doherty fired a fantastic hat-trick as Carrowmena Reserves swept past Cockhill Colts in a battle to avoid the Inishowen League wooden spoon on Sunday morning. Defender John Lynch and second-half substitute Gerard Gill were also on target as the Tremone second stringers gave their best display of the season so far. Competitive for much of the game, Cockhill hit back with a Gary Breslin penalty but the Hoops were ultimately undone by their failure to turn chances into goals before two late strikes killed off their challenge. The win moves Carrowmena up to fifth in the Reserve First Division while the Colts remain rooted to the bottom with only one point. |
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The game was not as
one-sided as the scoreline suggests however as Cockhill
wasted a number of clear opportunities to draw level
before O’Doherty put the visitors 3-1 up in the second
period. With Carrowmena duo Sammy Bredin and Drew Crumlish in sparkling form throughout, striker Michael O’Doherty gave a masterclass in finishing with substitute Gerard Gill also impressive in attack. The visitors too relied on excellent performances by keeper Mark Doherty and defender John Lynch, who helped restrict the hosts to only one goal from a penalty. The Hoops began the game in confident mood with Shaun Gillespie and Gary Breslin threatening on the left before Carrowmena defender Kevin McCauley moved quickly across to clear the danger. |
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Moments later Martin
Breslin’s header was cleared off the line following
Kevin McDaid’s corner as the home team continued to make
the early running. In the visitors’ first real attack inside ten minutes Drew Crumlish almost poked a neat pass into the path of Sammy Bredin but Colts defender Ciaran Logan intervened superbly. Seconds later Carrowmena were in front when central defender John Lynch powered in Drew Crumlish’s corner with an unstoppable header at the back post. The goal rocked the home team back on their heels and the Tremone men went on to dominate the next ten minutes. O’Doherty headed wide after connecting with a perfect Sammy Bredin cross before Mark McGonigle’s deflected shot flashed wide. |
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Carrowmena doubled their
advantage soon after when Michael O’Doherty clipped in
his second goal of the match, the finishing touch to a
fine move involving Sammy Bredin, James McDermott and
Drew Crumlish. Cockhill almost got back into the game midway through the first-half when Martin Breslin controlled a long clearance by home keeper Liam Lynch before lifting the ball over visitors stopper Mark Doherty. With the ball trundling towards the Carrowmena goal, Conor O’Doherty was on hand to brilliantly clear the danger. At the other end Cockhill central defender Sean McDaid broke up a threatening move involving Michael O’Doherty and Mark McGonigle before Eamon Doherty skewed his shot wide under pressure. Five minutes before the break the Colts were handed a lifeline when Carrowmena defender Kevin McCauley chopped down Martin Breslin in the penalty area. Referee Martin McGonagle had no hesitation in pointing to the spot allowing Gary Breslin to rifle home from twelve yards. |
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The goal stirred the home
team and two efforts from Niall Crossan and Kevin McDaid
brought fine saves from Carrowmena keeper Mark Doherty
as the first-half drew to a close. Like in the first period, the home team began the second-half on the front foot with Niall Crossan firing over from distance before Kevin McDaid’s shot was well saved by Doherty. Shaun Gillespie then drilled over before the game’s key moment arrived. With Cockhill’s Martin Breslin bearing down on goal a fantastic tackle by Carrowmena substitute Jason Crumlish kept the visitors in front before Michael O’Doherty extended their lead, controlling a long ball and arrowing past Liam Lynch from fifteen yards. Another O’Doherty effort was deflected wide after good work by substitute Gerard Gill before the duo combined well again with Gill’s stinging drive well saved at the near post. Staying competitive despite the deficit, Cockhill were threatening once more with a fine run and shot by Gary Breslin requiring a smart save from Carrowmena keeper Doherty before impressive midfielder Kevin McDaid set his sights inches too high from twenty yards. Mark Doherty made two more fine stops, to deny Martin Breslin and Niall Crossan, before Carrowmena dangerman Michael O’Doherty almost added to his tally, lifting over Cockhill keeper Liam Lynch with Shaun McDaid clearing off the line. Not to be denied, O’Doherty completed his hat-trick with ten minutes remaining, heading in Drew Crumlish’s corner at the back post after Gerard Gill’s initial shot was well saved by Lynch. With the last action of the game Gerard Gill put the icing on the Carrowmena cake; showing some nifty footwork to beat two defenders in the box before drilling past Lynch from twelve yards. Cockhill Colts: Liam Lynch, Peter Green, Bernard Gibbons, Sean McDaid, Ciaran Logan, Kevin McDaid, Shaun Gillespie, Niall Crossan, Gary Breslin, Emmett Dunphy, Martin Breslin. Subs: Johnny Doherty, Michael Devlin, Mark Porter, Stephen Porter. Carrowmena Res: Mark Doherty, James McDermott, Martin Thompson, Kevin McCauley, John Lynch, Sammy Bredin, Conor O’Doherty, Mark McGonigle, Eamon Doherty, Michael O’Doherty, Drew Crumlish. Subs: Gerard Gill, Conor McLaughlin, Jason Crumlish, Ryan McDermott, Paul McDermott. AT A GLANCE Man of Match Cockhill’s best players were Martin Breslin, Kevin McDaid and Sean McDaid but the contenders were all on the Carrowmena side. Drew Crumlish, John Lynch and Sammy Bredin were constant threats while Gerard Gill also caught the eye. The award though must go to Michael O’Doherty, who fired the perfect hat-trick, one with his head, one with his right foot and one with his left. Not bad for a former defender! Turning Point The game’s key moment arrived early in the second-half when Cockhill almost levelled at 2-2 before O’Doherty fired in seconds later to put Carrowmena 3-1 up and effectively end the game as a contest. The visitors clearly deserved the victory but the Colts will reflect on a host of missed chances, particularly in the second-half. Ref Watch Man in the middle Martin McGonagle let the game flow as much as possible. Was correct to award Cockhill a first-half penalty and was also right to book one of the home players for a cynical foul on Drew Crumlish in the second-half. Not a difficult game for the referee. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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