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Two good, too bad
08.12.09
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Glengad United...1 (Orr, 66) Redcastle United...2 (Donnelly, 45+1, 92) by Simon McGeady, Inishowen Independent, at the Crua REDCASTLE saw off the challenge of a committed Glengad’s side to make it through to the sixth round of the FAI Junior Cup on a squally Sunday afternoon at the Crua. Bryan Bell’s side turned in an accomplished performance and were good value for their win. However the game was over-shadowed when Redcastle defender Eamon Donnelly lashed out at Glengad midfielder Patrick McDermott in the first half of extra time. Such conduct has no place on the football pitch and Gerard O’Kane’s straight red card was the only possible outcome. Prior to that incident, the Redcastle defender had been having a great day. He opened the scoring in first half injury time with a thunderous strike worthy of Brian Tracey or Charlie McCormick before steering home the winner from a corner early in extra time. |
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These Premier Division
rivals have had good success in this competition in
recent years, most memorably Redcastle, who went so
close to reaching the semi-finals two seasons ago,
exiting to eventual winners Carrick United on penalties.
Glengad’s run is even fresher in the memory, so it was no surprise to see great commitment from both sides on Sunday. Perhaps it was the calibre of the opposition, but Glengad made a nervous start to the game. Liam Davenport combined with Andy Porter to fire an early shot across the bows of Liam McClean’s side. Slowly, though, the hosts played their way into the match and on ten minutes there was a half-hearted hand-ball appeal, but Seamus Doherty’s intervention was more ball to hand than hand to ball. On 16 minutes Glengad’s players caught the eye with a sweeping move that ended with Jason Doherty’s cross to the back post where Patrick McDermott was waiting to strike but, luckily for Redcastle, Tracey tracked the Glengad midfielder’s run and hooked clear. Playing in an all white with red and black trim outfit, Redcastle’s play was as often as smart as their away kit. Bell’s side are never more dangerous than when the other team have the ball and after a swift counter attack in the 22nd minute fullback Liam Davenport stung Michael McLaughlin’s palms. |
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The second part of the
first period was scrappy and it looked like the half
would end goalless when, in injury time, Donnelly
controlled the ball 25 yard out, touched it to his right
and unleashed a powerful strike that left McLaughlin
clutching at air. Liam McClean demanded more effort from his boys at half time and they gave it. Right-back John Gerard McLaughlin typified the Glengad spirit with a number of important challenges on the dangerous Andy Porter and Charlie McCormick. On 66 minutes Glengad drew level. Lee Kelly released substitute Paul McGonagle along the left. McGonagle skipped around Liam Davenport’s tackle and crossed low into the box for Alan Orr who side-footed first time into the top right corner. The Foyle Park side responded superbly to that setback. Terence Shields and Jimmy Gallagher went close before, in the 77th minute, McCormick should have restored Redcastle’s lead. Shields and Tracey combined to make space for McCormick in the box. The Redcastle forward took a couple of touches only to slide the ball past the post when it seemed easier to score. Glengad might have stole it at the death when Stephen McLaughlin scooped the ball over Martin Farren for Terence Doherty, but Doherty lacked composure and sliced his effort high and wide. Redcastle struck what turned out to be the winner with barely a minute gone in extra time. Donnelly came up from the back and waited for McCormick to deliver an in-swinger. The centre-half’s clever movement saw him lose his marker and he turned the corner beyond McLaughlin. The visitors were in complete control until Donnelly’s red card gave Glengad a man advantage for the final fifteen minutes. The home side pressed hard for a second equaliser. John Gerard McLaughlin thought he had it when he met Terence Doherty’s cross with a meaty volley only for Crossan to demonstrate why he’s probably best keeper in Inishowen with a stunning stop that ensured his side are in the hat for this week’s six round draw. Glengad United: Michael McLaughlin, John G McLaughlin, Lee Kelly, Patrick Doherty, Shane Doherty, Alan Orr, John McLaughlin, Patrick McDermott, Terence Doherty, Stephen McLaughlin, Jason Doherty. Subs: Paul McGonigle for J Doherty (40), Paul McDermott for P McDermott (98), Damien McDaid for J G McLaughlin (104). Redcastle United: Gerard Crossan, Liam Davenport, Seamus Doherty, Eamon Donnelly, Martin Farren, Jimmy Gallagher, Andy Porter, Stephen Davenport, Charlie McCormick, Brian Tracey, Daniel Harkin. Subs: Terence Shields for Harkin (HT), Ray Campbell for S Davenport (73). For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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