Clonmany make O'Gara final
15.04.10
Clonmany Reserves...4
Aileach Reserves...0
Report: Inishowen Independent
CLONMANY reached the Fr. O'Gara Cup Final after an
emphatic victory over Aileach in Sunday morning's
all-reserve clash at Shamrock Park.
They're accustomed to cup finals in this part of west
Inishowen but this time it is the reserves who are
blazing a glory trail. In a perfect day for football in
Clonmany, the home team overwhelmed the visitors, with
four different scorers putting Aileach to the sword. |
Lethargic throughout,
Aileach couldn't lift themselves after a lacklustre
start and Ciaran McLaughlin's Clonmany team took full
advantage.
Marshalled well at the back by Danny and Kevin Harkin,
the home team rarely looked like conceding while at the
other end of the pitch Karl Harkin and Aidan Doherty
were a constant menace to the Aileach defence.
Ironically Kevin Barr's visiting team could have been
ahead as early as the first 15 seconds when Liam Burke
fired inches too high after a neat one-two with
team-mate, Mark McLaughlin. The Aileach effort was not a
sign of things to come.
Settling into their task, Clonmany could have opened
their account in the tenth minute but Aieach keeper
Jamie McGowan made a great save, spreading himself to
deny Karl Harkin.
The bustling forward didn't have to wait long to
register his name on the scoresheet however. |
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Four minutes later Harkin
chested down Daniel McLaughlin's centre before smashing
the ball home to give Clonmany a deserved lead. The
Clonmany number ten could have doubled his team's
advantage on the next attack but he headed poorly wide
from Liam McCarron's cross.
With the impressive duo of Liam McCarron and Eddie
Doherty controlling matters in midfield, Clonmany
continued to press Aileach back for long spells. Aidan
Doherty won a corner for Clonmany following a fantastic
long pass by Liam McCarron. The set piece almost yielded
a chance but Kevin Harkin was unable to reign in Dessie
Doherty's expert flick. |
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A quick Aileach break
finally roused the visitors but Conor Gallagher fired
over following a mazy run by Liam Burke.
The home team quickly settled back into their stride and
were on the attack again when Karl Harkin took advantage
of Aileach hesitancy before firing wide as Jamie McGowan
advanced. The Aileach keeper was injured in the clash
but bravely battled on for most of the match.
Just before half-time Aidan Doherty was almost in on the
Clonmany act but the striker dragged his shot wide after
excellent combination play by Liam McCarron and Dessie
Doherty.
The game was over as a contest five minutes into the
second-half when Clonmany had turned a one goal lead
into a 3-0 demolition.
In the 46th minute Liam McCarron cracked home a left
footed drive from all of 30 yards much to the delight of
the local crowd at sun-drenched Shamrock Park.
Three minutes later and the game was over as a contest
when Dessie Doherty collected Aidan Doherty's pass to
slot the ball past Aileach keeper Jamie McGowan. |
Aileach could have been
further embarrassed just two minutes later but Jamie
McGowan saved Karl Harkin's shot after excellent wing
play by impressive teenager Daniel McLaughlin.
Substitute Gerard Arbuckle attempted to give Aileach a
lifeline in the 70th minute but the excellent Danny
Harkin was quickly across to avert any potential danger.
Any lingering Aileach hopes were extinguished soon after
when Eddie Doherty fired home a fourth Clonmany goal
from the penalty spot. Doherty won the kick himself
after being brought to ground in the visitor's box.
Aileach had a couple of late chances to bag a
consolation goal but the Clonmany defence, which had
been solid all morning, held out for an impressive clean
sheet.
The reserves will start as underdogs against Cockhill in
the Fr. O'Gara Final but that won't worry young manager
Ciaran McLaughlin, who may yet be the toast of Clonmany.
Clonmany Reserves: Christopher Ivors, Declan
Grant, Danny Harkin, Kevin Harkin, Daniel McLaughlin,
Liam McCarron, Eddie Doherty, Dessie Doherty, Aidan
Doherty, Karl Harkin, Jonathan McLaughlin. Subs: John
McCarron, Ciaran McLaughlin, Paul McGettigan.
Aileach Reserves: Jamie McGowan, Charlie Carlin,
Melvin McGowan, Gregory Doherty, Seamus O'Donnell, Liam
Burke, Mark McLaughlin, Dermot McGlynn, Conor Gallagher,
Gavin Doherty, Shane Kerrigan. Subs: Gerard Arbuckle,
Eddie McGrath, Darren McMonagle.
For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the
Inishowen Independent. |
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