Aileach run riot at Illies 25.11.10
Inishowen Engineering Reserve Premier Division

Illies Reserves...2 Aileach Reserves...8 by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent (Photos: Herbie Barr) A STUNNING first-half hat trick by Stephen Doherty helped rampant Aileach Reserves storm their way to victory in the Illies on a crisp Sunday morning last weekend. With the lightning Doherty brothers attacking at will not even a €2.7 million Illies goalkeeper (Graham Doherty won the Lotto in the summer) could keep the score down!

With experienced duo Brendan Porter and Stephen O’Donnell pulling the strings in midfield, Kevin Barr’s team produced a scintillating display of football and could have won by more had it not been for a series of Doherty saves in the Illies goal. Well-drilled Aileach stormed onto the front foot in the early stages with Cathal McElhinney firing the game’s first opportunity over the bar following David McCarron’s corner. Gavin Doherty was next to threaten the Illies rearguard; the impressive Illies wide player showing great feet in the box before his attempt was blocked by home keeper Graham Doherty. Another McElhinney snap-shot over the bar was quickly followed by a David McCarron header as the Inch men began to turn the screw. Finding his range with a third effort in the opening minutes, Cathal McElhinney fired Aileach ahead with a stunning left-foot volley from the edge of the area after Mervin McGowan’s corner. Another flowing Aileach move involving Brendan Porter and Gavin Doherty almost set-up David McCarron before Matthew Grant finally sparked Illies into life, whistling a cross-shot past David McGeady in the visitors’ net.

Continuing to attack in waves, Aileach doubled their advantage midway through the first-half when Stephen Doherty lashed home after Cathal McElhinney’s astute knockdown from a Stephen O’Donnell free-kick. Less than two minutes later Stephen Doherty headed home his brother Gavin’s pinpoint cross to put Aileach three clear before David McCarron made it four from close range. Illies’ bright light in attack, Matthew Grant pulled a goal back following excellent work from John Hutchinson before Stephen Doherty completed his hat-trick with a fine finish to restore Aileach’s four-goal cushion. Thomas McAree’s whistle signaled the end of a near-perfect 45 minutes for the rampant visitors.

Steadying the ship somewhat in the second period, Illies began to exert some pressure on the Aileach defence with Joe McDaid heading Hutchinson’s cross over the top before David McGeady saved well from a McDaid snap-shot. A constant threat going forward, Illies’ Matthew Grant brought some respectability to the scoreline, latching onto a long ball before coolly rounding McGeady and rolling into the Aileach net to make it 5-2. The Illies revival was short-lived however as Aileach dominated the closing stages of the game, adding another three goals. With fifteen minutes remaining Gavin Doherty grabbed the goal his play deserved, heading in Stephen O’Donnell’s cross after a fantastic pass by Brendan Porter. Moments later Aileach were in seventh heaven after substitute Graham Brown volleyed in Gavin Doherty’s perfect centre to put the visitors

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