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Carn claim victory in six pointer
03.03.09
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Carndonagh...4 (John Doherty 17; Cathal O’Kane 21, 88; Kevin Hirrell 43) Dunree...2 (Benny McDaid 38, 90) by Michael Stamp, Inishowen Independent, at St Patrick’s Park WITH both teams struggling at the bottom of the Premier Division this game was the definition of a six pointer. Carndonagh’s season thus far has been abysmal. However a victory last week against Buncrana Hearts Reserves and again on Sunday against Dunree has provided a definite fillip. Dunree are enduring a torrid time with important players like Liam Baldrick, Philip McGuinness and Michael Harkin all missing through injuries. Despite this Dunree were predicted to get the three points, yet it didn’t pan out that way. Carndonagh produced a fine performance and left the away side chasing shadows for the majority of the match. The fact that they did this without their first choice goalkeeper for much of the second half made it all the more impressive. |
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The presence of several
more experienced players than usual showed in Carn’s
performance. Carndonagh have a lot of young players who
have potential, however it was the older heads that ran
the show on Sunday. Man of the match Kevin Hirrell was
assisted by sterling performances from Cathal O’Kane and
John Doherty. Despite their defeat, the overlapping of
Benny McDaid and the physical presence of Ryan Bradley
impressed for Dunree. Carndonagh had the upper hand in the opening moments with Philip Doherty flashing a free kick wide and Cathal O’Kane heading just wide from a Darren Loftus corner. Dunree hit back with Bradley making Smyth put the ball inches past his own post after good pressure. Having had the upper hand, Carn took the lead after 17 minutes. Dunree were caught on the break from a free kick and Dermot Doherty cued up his namesake John to give Carn a deserved lead. The home side didn’t have to wait long for their second as Cathal O’Kane put them two up just four minutes later. |
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A cross from Brendan Tabb
landed to O’Kane who stayed composed and finished well. Carn almost claimed a third goal when John Doherty headed just wide from a Brian Lafferty cross. Moments later Dunree had a great chance but Bradley’s header cannoned off the post. Bradley’s physical presence was giving the Carn defence a hard time and he earned a penalty eight minutes before half time. A push in the back from Carn defender Patrick McGuinness was the cause and Benny McDaid made no mistake in burying the kick to the right of Ritchie Cunningham. At a goal down with five minutes to half time Dunree manager Stephen Doherty was probably thinking about how to respond to a one-goal deficit. Unfortunately for him Carn grabbed another goal just before half time. Brian Lafferty earned a corner for Carn after his free was headed wide by the Dunree defence. Lafferty directed the corner towards Kevin Hirrell who gave Noone no chance with a deft header into the right corner. Carndonagh started the second half strongly with O’Kane forcing a decent save from Noone and Hirrell flashing a shot over. Dermot Doherty also had a shot just wide during this period. Carndonagh were piling on the pressure and if John Doherty had connected with a free kick from substitute Niall McLaughlin the game would have been put beyond doubt. Dermot Coyle’s choice to play a five man midfield and one up front was paying dividends as Dunree were struggling to get any meaningful attacks together. A long range effort from Garvan Fullerton that landed into Richie Cunningham’s hands being a good example of this. Cunningham’s game ended shortly afterwards when a collision with a Dunree forward necessitated his removal. Dermot Doherty put on the gloves and was quickly called into action saving from McDaid. Referee Eamon Doherty made no friends among the visiting contingent with an offside call that was heavily disputed to say the least. To their credit Dunree were still plugging away and nearly grabbed a goal back when Paddy McLaughlin headed just over from a Fullerton corner. Niall McLaughlin was having a major influence for Carn and almost crafted a fourth goal after embarking on a wonderful run though the Dunree backline but he blazed his shot over. Soon afterwards a McLaughlin corner gave the home side their fourth goal and put the game beyond doubt. With less than five minutes left on the clock the Dunree defence went to sleep and McLaughlin’s set piece fell to O’Kane who slammed home to claim a brace. Four almost became five moments later when Hirrell shot into the side netting after good work from McLaughlin. In the added time due to Cunningham’s injury Dunree claimed a consolation goal that was also the finest score of the match. A ball in from Bradley landed to McDaid who looped a beautiful effort into the top corner giving Dermot Doherty no chance. However it was a case of too little too late as the final whistle came soon afterwards. With this result Dunree, rooted to the bottom and without a league win this season, seem destined for the First Division. On the other hand Carndonagh seem to be finding form at just the right time. Buncrana losing to Aileach must give them added hope but considering their remaining fixtures pit them against Moville, Clonmany and Redcastle, it’s going to be a big ask to retain Premier Division status – but they’ve given themselves a fighting chance. Carndonagh: Ritchie Cunningham (Ronan Doherty), Patrick McGuinness, Brian Lafferty, Kevin Hirrell, Gary Smyth, (Niall McLaughlin), Cathal O’Kane, Dermot Doherty, Philip Doherty (Sean Doherty), Brendan Tabb, Darren Loftus, John Doherty. Dunree: Johnny Noone, Barry Nixon, Benny McDaid, Paul Craig (Neil Hirrell), Jason McLaughlin, Kevin McLaughlin, Paddy McLaughlin, Derek Murphy, Garvan Fullerton (Thomas Mulhern), Ryan Bradley, Michael McGlynn. Sub: William Baldrick. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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