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Relegation heartbreak for Illies
29.04.10
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Aileach...2 Dermot McGlynn 92, 106 Illies...1 Gavin Doherty 89 by Michael Stamp, Inishowen Independent, at Maginn Park A BUSY Maginn Park was the venue for this crunch relegation play off between Aileach and Illies. The game was too close to predict with both teams recording victories over each other earlier in the season and finishing up on an identical 19 points, usually enough to stay up but not this season. Illies came into the match off an impressive run which saw them claim ten points from four games and were hoping to keep their run of form going. For Aileach their lack of goals has proved to be their downfall this season netting only 20 times in 16 league games. |
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The opening half hour
showed why both teams found themselves in this scenario
with neither side holding on to possession or passing
with any accuracy. Aileach held a slight advantage with
a Sean McKinney shot forcing a punched clearance from
Noel McDermott and Declan O’Donnell having an effort
deflected wide. Illies too had a few half chances with
Niall McDaid heading wide from a Shaun Coyle corner and
Gavin Doherty slicing a half volley wide. Illies
fullback Andy McLaughlin struck a shot that looked to be
going in but deflected off an Aileach defender. Aileach almost took the lead when a Stephen O’Donnell free kick was fumbled by Noel McDermott but the Illies custodian recovered to claim. Aileach’s Gerard Boyle hit a nice shot on the turn shortly afterwards but his effort careened over. Illies almost took the lead when Gavin Doherty whipped a sweet cross onto the head of PJ McLaughlin but |
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his effort only found the
side netting. Aileach struck back immediately with Boyle blasting against the crossbar and Noel McDermott having to make vital saves from Boyle and his strike partner Kelvin Lynch just before the interval. By the second half the nerves that had inhibited both sides in the first disappeared and the game turned into a real cracker. Aileach had the ball in the net through Boyle five minutes into the second half but the Aileach striker mistimed his run and was correctly ruled offside. |
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The same fate befell Illies
when Paddy Doherty’s effort from a corner was ruled out
for an earlier infringement. At this point both sides
were going for it and the end-to-end football on display
made for a thrilling spectacle. Aileach’s Ciaran Craig
was keeping McDermott busy forcing two saves out of the
Illies keeper and Shaun Coyle rifled a corner into the
side netting. With 89 minutes gone the sides were still deadlocked and the Illies took a shock lead. Substitute John Donaghy whipped a cross into Gavin Doherty who gave his side the lead with a glancing header just past Kieran Gallagher. Illies looked safe, but the day’s drama was just beginning. McDermott did fantastically well to tip over a Conor Gallagher effort as Aileach piled forward in search of an equalizer. With two minutes of stoppage time played Dermot McGlynn forced the game into extra time getting the last touch on a long ball into the box. The looks of disbelief on the Illies players’ faces told a story. |
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At the death Aileach almost
won the game with Kelvin Lynch hitting the post and
McGlynn having his follow up effort saved by McDermott. Extra time was all Aileach with McDermott virtually keeping Illies in the game on his own, the keeper producing good saves from Lynch, Boyle and Gallagher. Aileach were finally rewarded for their dominance four minutes from the end of extra time. Gerard Boyle, who had an excellent game, whipped in a pinpoint cross from the right and Dermot McGlynn proved to be Aileach’s hero with a header McDermott couldn’t get to. Illies tried their best to force a leveller but Aileach held firm for a deserved victory and another year of Premier League football. For Illies, 2010/11 will bring First Division football. Aileach: Kieran Gallagher, Dermot Doherty (Dermot McGlynn), Declan O’Donnell, Stephen O’Donnell (Conor Gallagher), Cathal McElhinney, Damien Barr, Anthony Doherty, Sean McKinney, Gerard Boyle, Kelvin Lynch, Ciaran Craig. Subs: Jamie McGowan, Stephen Doherty, Gavin Doherty. Illies: Noel McDermott, Andy McLaughlin, David Doherty, Niall McDaid, Aidan Doherty, Dominic Coyle, Shaun Coyle (John Donaghy), Paddy Doherty, Kevin O’Donnell, PJ McLaughlin (William McLaughlin), Gavin Doherty. Subs: Eamon McDaid, Graham Doherty. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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