Barr heads Moville into history books 29.04.10
Ulster Junior Cup Final

Lagan Harps...0 Moville Celtic...1 (Barr 70) by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent (Photos: Evan Logan) A CAVALCADE of cars blowing their horns loudly escorted the Moville Celtic players back into town last Sunday night after the local team won a second successive Ulster Junior Cup, defeating Lagan Harps in the final at Ballyare. A second-half goal by midfielder PJ Barr was enough for the Foyleside team, who have created their own piece of footballing history by becoming the first team from Inishowen to retain the coveted trophy. In a tempestuous game, which reached boiling point on more than one occasion in the second period, both teams were reduced to ten men. Lagan’s Kevin Kelly received his marching orders from referee Paddy Melaugh after an over-robust challenge on nippy striker Nigel McMonagle. Moville’s Gavin Doherty joined Kelly on his early walk to the dressing room after being harshly red carded for apparent retaliation. More positive throughout, the Inishowen team carried the greater threat, with the tandem of McMonagle and Joe Doherty carrying more of a menace than the Lagan attack, which often saw Chris Toner isolated in the final third.

Underdogs Lagan had upset the odds to defeat Inishowen opposition, Cockhill and Glengad, in the last two rounds but they met a Moville Celtic team on Sunday night determined to keep hold of the trophy they have polished each of the last twelve months. Jason Gibson’s Lagan team, playing against the wind in the first-half, settled quickly into their task and fired two shots in anger before Moville found their collective feet. Chris Toner, central to much of what was good about Lagan Harps, excellently set-up Aidan O’Donnell and Kevin Kelly in the opening ten minutes but both men fired too high. After a nervy start, favourites Moville could

have taken the lead moments later but Joe Doherty’s shot was blocked behind for a corner. The veteran Inishowen man’s ensuing corner was then brilliantly cleared off the line by Lagan’s Ciaran McCarron. A PJ Barr effort midway through the half failed to trouble Lagan keeper Tony Blake before Gavin Doherty came closest to breaking the deadlock. The impressive defender collected a pass from his brother, Graeme, before unleashing a rasping shot, which flew two inches over the bar with Blake rooted to the spot. Moville were on the attack again with Joe Doherty setting up Gavin Doherty, whose shot was charged down. Another expert Doherty corner was superbly headed clear from under his own crossbar by Lagan Harps defender Ronan Curran.
	A third Moville corner in quick succession had the Inishowen bench on their feet for a handball appeal in the box but referee Paddy Melaugh waived away the protests. Moville Celtic forward Nigel McMonagle posed a threat towards the end of the half as he sped to the byline to fire in a cross. Lagan number one, Tony Blake, punched the ball clear before Graeme Doherty’s shot flew over. In the last action of the first half-half Chris Toner had the Lagan men on the attack, beating two defenders before having his smart shot saved by Paul White, who dived low to his left. Darren Bredin brought Declan McGuinness into the Moville team for the second-half and the right-winger repaid his manager with a fantastic shift for the team. McGuinness’ whipped cross was well taken by Tony Blake in the Lagan goal following good work by Moville strike partners, Joe Doherty and Nigel McMonagle. PJ Barr then had a dinked effort cleared off the line by Lagan defender Seamy Peoples as the Donegal League men came under increasing amounts of pressure. Shane Canning, pulling the strings in midfield during the second-half, pinpointed a cross-field ball for Nigel McMonagle but Blake was quickly out to save at the feet of the Moville striker.
Lagan’s sole threat, Chris Toner, then almost gave the Harps an unlikely lead after latching onto Brian Bradley’s long throw. Toner flicked his effort over the bar though with Paul White stranded between the Moville posts. A couple of long range frees, both taken by Lagan’s Kevin Kelly, failed to trouble White before the Inishowen men finally hit the jackpot. A Gavin Doherty free-kick found Graeme Doherty at the back post and the midfielder expertly found his central partner, PJ Barr, who kept his cool to head home. Cue scenes of delight on the Moville bench and amongst the majority of the 150 strong crowd. The Inishowen men should have had the trophy on its way back up the N13 minutes later but Nigel McMonagle wasted a glorious chance, shooting too high with the goal at his mercy following Declan McGuinness’ excellent cross. The game boiled over less than ten minutes from the end when Lagan Harps’ Kevin Kelly was red-carded for an over the top tackle on Nigel McMonagle. The incident saw both benches exchange harsh words before a shocked Gavin Doherty was also ordered off as both sides were reduced to ten men. In a frantic finish Moville just about kept their cool and a succession of Lagan free-kicks and long balls failed to penetrate the Inishowen team’s net. With the dust settled, Jason Gibson and the Lagan players will reflect on an excellent Ulster Junior run. Moville Celtic return the cup to the Glencrow trophy cabinet for another twelve months though. Lagan Harps – Tony Blake, Ciaran McCarron, Paul Rodgers, Seamy Peoples, Ronan Curran, Ronan Gibson, Brian Bradley, Aidan O’Donnell, Chris Toner, Kevin Kelly, John Gallagher. Subs: Marty Brogan, Damian McFadden, Glenn Gallagher, John Boyle, Brian Kelly, Michael Toner. Moville Celtic – Paul White, Conor McLaughlin, Gavin Doherty, Tony McGeady, Mark Henry, Shane Canning, PJ Barr, Graeme Doherty, Joe Doherty, Richard McElhinney, Nigel McMonagle. Subs: Darryl Doherty, Kevin Coyle, Oran McDermott, Declan McGuinness, Maurice McCauley, Maurice McGeady. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent.

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