Moville too strong for Gweedore 04.03.10
Ulster Junior Cup quarter-final

Moville Celtic...5 (Doherty 24, 40, 75; McMonagle 48, Canning 61) Gweedore Celtic...0 by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent, at Glencrow (Photos: Evan Logan) ULSTER Junior Cup holders Moville Celtic eased into the last four after a comprehensive win over Gweedore Celtic at Glencrow on Sunday afternoon. The gulf in class between the two teams was as wide as the distance between Derrybeg and Moville as the Inishowen men progressed with plenty to spare. Veteran striker Joe Doherty scored an inspirational hat-trick and was at the heart of everything good about Moville on a perfect day for football by the banks of the Foyle. In a sublime performance Doherty rolled back the years to torment the Gweedore defence, who couldn’t handle the striker’s strength and skill.

Speedy forward, Nigel McMonagle, and expert midfielder, Shane Canning, also chipped in with second-half goals as Darren Bredin’s men ran out 5-0 winners. The home team could have been ahead as early as the second minute when Richard McElhinney’s 25 yard drive thundered back off the crossbar following a Moville corner. It would prove one of the few chances Moville would fail to take all afternoon. Minutes later the Inishowen men were threatening again but Nigel McMonagle just failed to get on the end of Joe Doherty’s expert flick. The ball eventually broke to PJ Barr and the midfielder’s ensuing shot was well saved by Gweedore keeper, Michael MacCeallbhui. Another home attack saw Shane Canning create an opening for himself but the Moville captain fired high and wide. A minute later Joe Doherty’s shot was beaten out by Gweedoe keeper Mac Ceallbhui after Darryl Doherty’s long throw. A rare Gweedore attack saw Odhran Mac Niallais get on the end of Donal Coll’s cross only to head straight at Moville keeper, Paul White.

The Inishowen League outfit raised their game once more and were ahead when Moville striker, Joe Doherty, latched onto Nigel McMonagle’s pass to calmly roll the ball into the Gweedore Celtic net. Doherty was also involved in a flowing Moville move minutes later, combining with Shane Canning and Richard McElhinney before Gavin Doherty’s long range effort flew over the Gweedore crossbar. Gweedore fashioned a half-chance just past the half hour mark but midfielder Eugene McBride was unable to get enough purchase on his header following Odhran McKinney’s cross. Hugh Gallagher’s charges had another opportunity moments later when Colin Ferry won a free on the edge of the Moville box after a foul by Kevin Coyle. The Gweedore striker tried to catch Paul White unawares with a quick effort but the Moville keeper made an excellent stop to preserve the home team advantage.

Moville doubled that advantage five minutes before the break when Joe Doherty collected Gavin Doherty’s pass before firing low past Mac Ceallbhui, who should have done better in the Gweedore goal. Doherty, a constant threat all afternoon, could have completed his hat-trick just before the break but he headed wide following Declan McGuinness’ excellent through ball. Any hopes of a Gweedore comeback were quickly extinguished as Nigel McMonagle made it 3-0 for the home team minutes into the second-half. Gavin Doherty, Joe Doherty and Richard McElhinney combined brilliantly to release the Moville frontman, who made no mistake with a left-foot drive to the Gweedore net. McMonagle could have added to his personal tally moments later but fired wide after brilliantly beating two Gweedore Celtic defenders. The Donegal League men continued to battle and could have snatched a goal back when Eugene McBride’s header was cleared off the Moville line following Eamon Curran’s long throw. A minute later Antoin De Blarach found himself free at the back post following a scramble in the Moville goalmouth. The Gweedore substitute was unable to convert however. Ruthless Moville punished Gweedore’s inability to find the net when Shane Canning’s expert daisy-cutter flew in off the post to make it 4-0. Yet again Joe Doherty was involved in the move, the striker playing in Richard McElhinney before the ball broke to Canning, who fired home at the second time of asking.

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