Clonmany victorious in Maginn
thriller
17.06.09
Knockalla Caravans Cup
Final
Clonmany...3
(Martin Doherty 89; Steve Harkin 95; Jason Devlin
115)
Fanad...1
(PJ Hagan 80)
by Gerard McLaughlin,
Inishowen Independent, at Maginn
IN WHAT was probably the best final so far in the new
Maginn Park, it was fitting that the Inishowen League
side came out on top to add the Knockalla Caravans Cup
to their trophy cabinet for this season. However, it was
far from easy and if Martin Doherty hadn’t popped up
with an equaliser in the last minute of normal time, it
would have been the Ulster Senior League side taking the
trophy back to Tri a Lough.
In a tight first half it was Fanad who started the
brighter with a Dara Patton effort well dealt with by
Peter Devlin. The first chance for Clonmany fell to Paul
McLaughlin but he blazed over from 30 yards. The same
player again blazed over two minutes later as Clonmany
began to get a grip of proceedings. |
Young Stephen McLaughlin
was causing all sorts of problems down the left with his
pace and skill, and even experienced defenders like
Russell Porter and Arthur Lynch were finding it very
difficult to deal with him.
After 30 minutes Fanad were awarded a penalty when Phil
Pat Doherty was adjudged to have handled inside the
area. Denis Boyle stepped up and although he struck the
shot well enough to beat Devlin, it crashed of the top
of the bar and over to the relief of the Clonmany men.
Steve Harkin then had a glorious opportunity on the
stroke of half time when a Stephen McLaughlin delivery
from the left fell perfectly for him, but he drove over
when he really should have put Clonmany one up.
The second half began just as the first half had ended
with the Inishowen league team on top. Five minutes in
Paul McLaughlin sent a delightful ball in from the left
which was met by Mark McLaughlin at the back post but he
couldn’t direct his volley goalwards. Soon after an
excellent defence splitting pass from Brendan Devlin
sent Stephen McLaughlin through on goal but his left
foot strike hit the side netting. Seamus Friel then had
a good chance for Fanad after a scramble in the box but
Peter Devlin was very brave to dive at his feet and the
chance was gone.
Fanad took the lead on 80 minutes after a wonder strike
from PJ Hagan from all of 30 yards. |
 |
That looked like it would
be enough to give the Ulster Senior League side the cup,
but Clonmany had different ideas. They patiently stuck
to their task and managed to equalise on the stroke of
full time through Martin Doherty, who headed home at the
back post from a Paul McLaughlin corner.
And so it was extra time and five minutes in Steve
Harkin headed Clonmany into a deserved lead from another
McLaughlin corner. Only an outstanding save from
McGinley in the Fanad goal kept the Senior league side
in it when Stephen McLaughlin looked certain to make it
3-1 soon after.
Clonmany sealed the victory five minutes from time with
a goal fit to win any final. Paul McLaughlin picked up
the ball on the left and sent a cross to the back post
which was met by the boot of Jason Devlin who fired an
unstoppable volley to the top corner. That was game, set
and match for Clonmany and the icing on the cake for yet
another very productive and trophy laden season.
Clonmany: Peter Devlin, Mark McLaughlin, Liam
Hirrell, Phil Pat Doherty, Philip Devlin, Paul
McLaughlin, Steve Harkin, Paddy Doherty, Brendan Devlin
(Martin Doherty), Stephen McLaughlin (Paddy Harkin),
Jason Devlin (Niall McDaid)
Fanad: Mark Anthony McGinley, Sean McElwaine,
Shane Sweeney, Russell Porter, Arthur Lynch, Paul Nash,
Seamus Friel, Paddy McGrenaghan, Eamon Sheridan (PJ
Hagan), Denis Boyle (Paul McVeigh), Dara Patton (Seamus
Friel)
For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the
Inishowen Independent. |
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