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Quigley’s Point progress over
Illies
27.01.10
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Quigley’s Point
Swifts...1 (Buchanan 40) Illies Celtic...0 by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent, at Maginn Park (Photos: Evan Logan) Quigley’s Point Swifts booked a place in the first round proper of the Buncrana Credit Union Cup after a hard fought victory over Illies Celtic under lights on Saturday night. The County Council gritters were on patrol along Maginn Avenue as temperatures plunged to zero once again. There was plenty of grit on show inside soccer headquarters too, where Illies also failed to rise above zero and crashed out of the cup. A solitary strike by nippy forward, Raymond Buchanan, was enough to send the Muff men through to face Buncrana. Illies played their part though and, had they taken their first-half chances, could have progressed themselves. |
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Paul Doherty’s men can also
point to what looked a clear-cut penalty in the opening
period, but referee, Liam Porter, waived away the
vociferous Illies appeals. In the end though, Terry McColgan’s team, with their third successive victory over Illies, were just about value for a win at their temporary Maginn Park home. The game began with both sets of players standing for a minute’s silence in honour of former QPS chairman, Brian McLaughlin, who passed away on Friday. Early pressure saw Quigley’s Point eke out a number of half-chances before Illies settled into their stride. In the third minute Brian McColgan’s corner was headed over by a well-placed Terry McColgan. The same player fired well over a few minutes later as QPS began the early exchanges in the ascendancy. The first good opening of the game fell to the visitors though when a poor clearance by Quigley’s Point goalkeeper, David McGeady, was seized upon by Kevin O’Donnell. The Swifts stopper atoned for his error however by brilliantly diving at the feet of the |
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Illies striker to make the
save. Moments later, good work by Illies trio, Shaun Coyle, Gavin Doherty and Aidan Doherty, forced a corner which should have been converted by Celtic defender, Paddy Doherty. The left-back’s shot was brilliantly blocked by a resolute QPS defence which was now coming under increasing amounts of pressure. In the 20th minute an excellent through-ball by playmaker, Aidan Doherty, sent O’Donnell on his way again. David McGeady was equal to the shot again; this time the QPS keeper had a stroke of luck as the ball rebounded off his chest to safety. |
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The Point number one was in
action again a minute later when he denied Illies
defender Niall McDaid. After uncertainty in the home
defence the ball fell to the towering centre-back but
his attempt was saved by McGeady. At this stage Illies were clearly on top with midfield duo, Shaun Coyle and Aidan Doherty, pulling all the strings. Illies best chance should have arrived in the 32nd minute when roving forward, Mark McDaid, was sent sprawling in the box. It looked a clear penalty but referee, Liam Porter, wasn’t convinced and the Muff men were off the hook. Spurred on, McColgan’s men gained a foothold and could have been in front on 35 minutes when Oisin McColgan headed wide from an excellent Raymond Buchanan corner. Five minutes later and QPS were ahead, |
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after Buchanan capitalised
on uncertainty in the Illies back line to tap into an
empty net. It was cruel on Illies to concede such a soft
goal and they didn’t deserve to be behind at the break. The second period saw a much improved Swifts display as the Quigley’s Point charges played with a renewed sense of confidence. The introduction of Daniel Gavin added a bit more pace into midfield as the Point began the period brightly. Colm McLaughlin expertly set-up striker partner, Raymond Buchanan, but the forward was unable to add to his tally in the 51st minute as Illies keeper, Noel McDermott, made a great save. Buchanan was causing problems again when his fantastic delivery was cleared from under his own crossbar by Illies right-back, David Doherty. Illies were lucky to survive in the 62nd minute when a last ditch challenge by keeper, Noel McDermott, who had run 30 yards from goal, felled Terry McColgan. Referee Porter pointed for a goal kick, with McDermott’s heart in his mouth. QPS missed further chances through Adam Harkin and Colm McLaughlin before Illies began a spirited fight back. Paul Doherty’s team could have levelled on 71 minutes when excellent combination play by Mark McDaid, Kevin O’Donnell and Paddy Doherty created a chance for Shaun Coyle, who was unlucky to see his header flash wide. The visitors forced another half-chance five minutes later but Aidan Doherty fired high into the freezing night sky after latching onto Shaun Coyle’s corner. Illies were holding a very high line at the back as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser and Colm McLaughlin almost made them pay in the 83rd minute; the Quigley’s Point forward collecting Adrian McColgan’s pass before being brilliantly denied by Illies keeper, Noel Mc Dermott. While Illies continued to fashion half-chances in a tense finale it was Quigley’s Point who nearly added to their tally right at the death when Terry McColgan’s header bounced back off the crossbar. QUIGLEY’S POINT SWIFTS – David McGeady, Adam Harkin, Kevin Wallace, Terry McColgan, Joe McGoldrick, Oisin McColgan, Michael McColgan, Anthony McColgan, Colm McLaughlin, Raymond Buchanan, Brian McColgan. Subs: Daniel Gavin for M. McColgan (45), Christopher Harkin for A. Harkin (71), Adrian McColgan for B. McColgan (76). ILLIES CELTIC – Noel McDermott, David Doherty, Paddy Doherty, Niall McDaid, Andy McLaughlin, Dominic Coyle, Shaun Coyle, Aidan Doherty, Kevin O’Donnell, Mark McDaid, Gavin Doherty. Subs: PJ McLaughlin for M. McDaid (71), Eamon Hegarty for D. Doherty (76), Caolan McCann for K. O’Donnell (80). For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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