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Late Greene penalty sinks Redcastle 30.09.10
 Reserve League Shield Football

Redcastle Res...0

Quigley’s Point Res...1

by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent, at Foyle Park (Photo: Herbie Barr)

A DISPUTED Gerard Greene penalty deep into injury-time secured victory for Quigley’s Point over local rivals Redcastle in the Reserve League Shield at Foyle Park on Sunday morning.
Referee John Joe Lafferty pointed to the spot after Trevor Gallagher went sprawling in the box during the last attack of a keenly contested derby. The decision appeared harsh on the Redcastle defence, which had withstood long periods of pressure, but Gallagher was rewarded for his bravery and commitment to attack late in the game.
Quigley’s Point deserved their victory though Redcastle created a number of openings and will feel that the result could easily have swung their way. Marshalled superbly by Seamus Farren, the Redcastle defence withstood all that QPS could throw at them but they could do little after the referee’s whistle gave Greene the chance to grab glory.
Mark Duffy, who played during Muff’s Junior GAA Championship win the previous night, was in inspired form and the midfielder constantly drove Quigley’s Point forward with Fergal Buchanan and Dean Hegarty prominent in attack.
Sixteen-year-old Kevin Toner looks a good prospect for Redcastle, who also had Liam Davenport to thank for a fantastic display in goal.
The Point began the brighter and threatened an early lead when Simon Wallace raced clear of the home defence only to be denied by Redcastle keeper Liam Davenport, who was quickly out to smother the danger.
The visitors were on the attack again when smart play by Mark Duffy saw the midfielder fire goalwards but again Davenport was equal to the test in the Redcastle goal.
Settling into their task after fifteen minutes, Redcastle responded when a neat one-two between John Faulkner and Trevor Davenport created a chance for James Toner, who set his sights too high and the ball flew over Brian Lynch’s crossbar.
An excellent cross by Redcastle’s Kevin Toner gifted his brother James the game’s first clear-cut
opportunity but the left winger guided his header wide of the target from eight yards.
A superb through ball from QPS defender Cathal McColgan had Simon Wallace scampering clear but the lively midfielder was denied once again by a brilliant Liam Davenport stop.
With the game continuing to ebb and flow, it was Redcastle who had the next chance to grab the lead. Greg Breslin took advantage of a rare slip in the QPS defence but the home forward was denied by the impressive Brian Lynch, who commanded the Point goal area excellently all morning.
Just before the end of the opening period a clever combination between QPS playmakers Mark Duffy and Dean Hegarty saw the ball arrive at the feet of Fergal Buchanan, who turned smartly but saw his shot well gathered by Redcastle keeper Liam Davenport.
The second-half continued in much the same vein as the first with both teams having their chances to break the deadlock. Simon Wallace turned provider to set-up Fergal Buchanan but the QPS front man was foiled by another smart Davenport stop.
Redcastle came closest to taking the lead with almost an hour gone when Greg Breslin struck a post after excellent wing play by James Toner. The near-miss galvanized the Point men and it was they who finished the game the stronger.
A good run by Fergal Buchanan carved out an opening for Mark Duffy but the ever-ready midfielder blasted too high from the angle of the eighteen yard box. Duffy then embarked on a brilliant solo run before having his stinging shot well saved by Liam Davenport.
The introduction of substitute Ian Cullen late in the game sparked the slumbering QPS attack into life and the forward’s physical presence proved a handful for Farren and McColgan in the home defence. Straight into the action, Cullen latched onto a long ball and flicked just wide with Liam Davenport scrambling across his goal.
The Point then had loud appeals for a penalty waved away by referee John Joe Lafferty after Dean Hegarty went to ground in the area.
But with the clock ticking into injury-time Gallagher went tumbling in the box and Gerard Greene confidently dispatched the penalty to hand the Point a win they just about deserved.

Redcastle Reserves: Liam Davenport, Brian Farren, Evan McDermott, Seamus Farren, Niall McColgan, Kevin Toner, Trevor Davenport, John Faulkner, Greg Breslin, Liam McLaughlin, James Toner. Subs: Kyle Davenport, Michael Bonner, Niall Cavanagh, Michael McCole.

QPS Reserves: Brian Lynch, Paul Harkin, Mark Wallace, Cathal McColgan, Trevor Gallagher, Gerard Greene, Simon Wallace, Mark Duffy, Dean Hegarty, Fergal Buchanan, Oisin McCool. Subs: Ian Cullen, Aidan Lynch, Damian McCallion, Christy Harkin.

For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent.
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