 |
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
 |
| Search... |
Cockhill late late show sinks
Hearts
03.06.10
|
||||||||
|
Buncrana...1 Cutliffe (68) Cockhill...2 Doherty (60), O’Donnell (92) by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent, at Castle Park (Photo: Herbie Barr) A LATE, late Liam O’Donnell goal deep into injury time broke Buncrana hearts at Castle Park last Sunday as Cockhill headed back across town with a famous win. The most local of all Ulster Senior League derbies seemed destined for a draw after Matthew Cutliffe had equalised Derek Doherty’s earlier strike before O’Donnell sparked scenes of spontaneous joy on the Cockhill bench. And while Donegal crashed out of the Ulster Championship in extra-time at Ballybofey, Cockhill made the most of their three minutes of additional time to go home with the widest of smiles. The defeat will have been a bitter pill to swallow for Buncrana, who must have thought they had done enough to secure a point. Cockhill just edged proceedings however and Donal O’Brien will feel that his team deserved their moment of late ecstasy, which sent them to the top of the USL table. |
|
|
The first real opening fell
the way of the home team after eight minutes when tricky
winger Brian Harkin was upended just outside the box.
Johnny Bonner then fired the resultant free straight
into the Cockhill wall. Another Buncrana set play threatened the Cockhill net moments later when Johnny McCarron headed Luka Asokuh’s long throw just over the top of Stephen Conroy’s crossbar. Cockhill dangerman James Bradley eked out the visitors’ first chance with almost twenty minutes gone, jinking his way to the byline before his centre was headed wide by Matthew Cutliffe under pressure. The Hearts were back in business in the next attack as the game ebbed and flowed from one end to the other with neither side in the ascendancy. Johnny Bonner’s free-kick was cleared behind by the Cockhill defence and the ensuing corner led to a chance for Brian Harkin, which was blocked away. Gerry Gill scampered away as Cockhill were back on the front foot once again. The talented midfielder beat two Buncrana defenders before winning a corner for the visitors, which was eventually cleared. Gill then found himself in space in the Buncrana box for the first time but he headed Kieran McLaughlin’s excellent cross high over Declan Meenan’s bar. A lightning Buncrana move then saw Gerard McLaughlin, Colm McLaughlin and Matthew Cutliffe combine on the left before Cutliffe went tumbling in the box. |
 |
|
The home team appeals were
waived away though as the stalemate continued. The Hearts finished the half the stronger with McLaughlin heading Bonner’s corner wide before the number ten almost cashed in after a defensive mix-up but Cockhill keeper Stephen Conroy raced off his line to clear the danger. Cockhill, following manager Donal O’Brien’s team talk, began the second period with a renewed vigour and should have taken the lead ten minutes in when James Bradley brilliantly put Garbhan Friel clean through on goal. The Celtic striker skewed his effort wide of the post however as Declan Meenan flew off his line in an attempt to narrow the angle. The chance breathed new life into Cockhill with Malachy McDermott, Gerry Gill and James Bradley threatening the Buncrana back line time and again. A Gill short-corner found McDermott in space and his rasping shot crashed off the underside of the bar from twenty yards with Buncrana keeper Declan Meenan well beaten. The despair on the Cockhill bench following the Moville man’s close effort turned to joy seconds later when Derek Doherty hooked Celtic ahead after latching onto a hopeful long ball. The goal sparked slumbering Buncrana into life and the home team dominated the next ten minutes as Cockhill rallied in defence. Stephen Conroy was called into action in the Celtic goal sprawling to his right to claw away a fantastic Johnny Bonner volley from all of 25 yards. Bonner then clipped the outside of the post after combining with winger Brian Harkin before Matthew Cutliffe headed another chance wide after good play by Harkin. With Buncrana coach Niall McGonigle urging his players to dig deep on the sideline the home team equalised. Striker Matthew Cutliffe raced 15 yards clear before rounding Stephen Conroy to score with the Cockhill defence baying for an offside call, which never came. Buncrana substitute Seanan Murphy showed good skill on the edge of the box before shooting high and wide as the tension increased with the game drawing to a close. Cockhill thought they had won it moments from the end but substitute Liam O’Donnell’s header was ruled out for a foul. The visitor’s bench was in ecstasy two minutes into injury time though when O’Donnell struck again after getting on the end of James Bradley’s pinpoint delivery. This time the effort stood and Cockhill went home with possession of the local bragging rights and three vital points. Buncrana Hearts: Declan Meenan, Sean Michael Boucher-Hayes, Colm McLaughlin, Gary Duffy, Luka Asokuh, Johnny McCarron, Kieran McDaid, Johnny Bonner, Matthew Cutliffe, Gerard McLaughlin, Brian Harkin. Subs: Decky Fullerton, Michael Caldwell, Robbie Fullerton, Seanan Murphy, Stephen McHugh. Cockhill Celtic: Stephen Conroy, Kieran McLaughlin, Shane McDaid, Barry McColgan, William O’Connor, Derek Doherty, Gerry Gill, Malachy McDermott, Paul McKinney, Garbhan Friel, James Bradley. Subs: Aidan O’Donnell, Michael O’Connor, Liam O’Donnell, Shane Gallivan, Jason McLaughlin. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
| Return to > Sports > News > Home |
 |