Devlin delivers for Clonmany 12.03.10
Jackie Crossan Premier Division

Culdaff...0 Clonmany...1 (Jason Devlin 56’) Culdaff made to rue missed chances By Michael Stamp, Inishowen Independent, at Caratra Park After their shock win against Redcastle last week all eyes were on Culdaff. Could they beat both title contenders?

The answer was no. Despite Culdaff having their share of chances, Clonmany’s class told and they were good value for the three points. It wasn’t a game for purists as both teams seemed to be afraid to concede rather than taking a chance and attack. Culdaff were the better side in the opening exchanges with Niall Gordon spurning a decent chance, Conor O’Brien showed some decent footwork and laid back to John Joe Doherty who shot over. Clonmany were trying to string passes together but Culdaff didn’t give them any time on the ball. The game plan from the home side was working very well as it took 43 minutes for Clonmany to have their first effort; a Paul McLaughlin shot that sailed over. Whatever was said to Clonmany at half time had the desired effect as they pressed Culdaff much more effectively after the break. It was still an ugly game to watch but Clonmany realised they couldn’t let the home side have so much of the ball. Clonmany thought they were ahead five minutes into the half when Darren Grant poked home from a corner but it was correctly ruled out by the referee for a foul on the keeper. Culdaff had a few chances in this period with Conor O’Brien having a shot that scraped just wide.

The breakthrough came ten minutes after half time when Jason Devlin received the ball on the counter and finished brilliantly giving Houten no chance. Culdaff fought back with substitute Anthony Kelly drilling wide with the Clonmany defence asleep and O’Brien heading the wrong side of the post from a throw in. After those chances Clonmany started to dominate the game. Jason Devlin had a great chance to double his tally for the day but the Clonmany forward dragged his shot wide. The game degenerated into a midfield battle that showed how much both teams wanted the win. A John McFeely free kick from the halfway line forced a punch from Peter Devlin. The Clonmany custodian pulled off a better save moments later when Eugene McLaughlin was through one-on-one and Devlin did well to stand up. As the clock got nearer to 90 minutes Culdaff threw everything they had forward and were unfortunate not to get an equaliser. Eugene McLaughlin had a shot that went inches past the post and Dermot Diver hit a curling shot that was gathered by Devlin. An unconvincing display by Clonmany however it could be three vital points at the end of the season. It wasn’t pretty but games like that win titles.

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