 |
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
 |
| Search... |
Keeper Crossan saves the day
23.09.09
|
||||||||
|
Redcastle...1 (McCormick 84) Clonmany...0 by Michael Stamp, Inishowen Independent LET'S forget about English football for a minute, a real Super Sunday was on the cards in Redcastle. It’s still early in the season but games like these win titles and despite being the poorer side Redcastle picked up the three points. The home side have played much better than this and lost, as manager Bryan Bell said “three points is three points.” Of course this match is Inishowen’s version of el classico, both teams know each other very well and a tough game was on the cards. Redcastle had home advantage but Clonmany are a fine team in their own right. Redcastle now play a more attacking formation than last season, which may work against the lesser lights of the division, but Clonmany were more than a match for them. In fact for much of the match Redcastle were pinned into their own half but a virtuoso goalkeeping performance from Gerard Crossan won the match for Redcastle. |
|
|
Clonmany had the first real
effort with Brendan Devlin hitting the side netting from
a Marty Doherty free kick. Redcastle came back with Ryan
McMonagle striking just over on the break. Both sides
grafted with Brian Tracey having an effort palmed away
for Redcastle and Steve Harkin lofting a header into
Crossan’s hands. For the last 10 minutes of the first half Clonmany came into their own in terms of possession but never really tested Crossan in the home net. The best chance Clonmany had during this period was a sweet ball from Paul McLaughlin that Steve Harkin headed just wide. From a free kick Jason Devlin hit wide and Brendan Devlin shot wide while off balance. In the second half Redcastle continued to ride |
 |
|
their luck with Clonmany’s
Steve Harkin and Michael Grant getting far too much
space. Redcastle were playing a very deep defensive line
and it was only a matter of time until Clonmany punished
them. Jason Devlin played in his namesake Brendan who
was taken down in the box by Eamon Doherty. Clonmany definitely deserved a goal but Crossan saved the penalty with his legs to foil Marty Doherty. The home side, were heavily indebted to Crossan as they were inviting Clonmany to attack. Cathal Faulkner let a loose ball to Paul McLaughlin who tried to cue up Mark McLaughlin but Crossan was quick off his line to claim. Clonmany were in the ascendency at this point and Brendan Devlin tested Crossan with a 1 on 1 but the Redcastle custodian stood up and claimed the ball. Crossan showed why he is ranked as the best keeper in Inishowen with fine saves from Brendan Devlin and Michael Grant. Referee Terence Moyne found himself in the eye of controversy when he sent off Eamon Doherty mid way through the second half for dissent. To say the Redcastle supporters were annoyed would be an understatement. Redcastle actually played much better with 10 men but Clonmany were still potent and Redcastle were indebted to their keeper again when he stood up to block a Mark McLaughlin effort. Clonmany were piling forward but they were almost punished for their prolificacy when Damien Coyle hit the bar on a Redcastle counter attack. Clonmany were unfortunate not to take the lead when Paul McLaughlin sent in a great ball to sub Raymond McDaid. McDaid made contact with a header and aimed it into the top corner but somehow Crossan got there first, an excellent save. For all their dominance Clonmany couldn’t find a way through and Redcastle made them pay with only five minutes left. On a rare Redcastle attack Philip Devlin made a hash of his clearance which let Charlie McCormick one on one with Peter Devlin, the Redcastle sub made no mistake to give the home side a somewhat undeserved lead. Clonmany piled forward in search of an equaliser but Redcastle showed why they are known for grinding out results and the visitors were reduced to shots from distance. A poor performance for Redcastle but the three points earned here could be invaluable at the end of the season. Clonmany were hard done by but in football its better to be lucky than good! Redcastle: Gerard Crossan, Seamus Doherty, Martin Farren, Eamon Doherty, Jimmy Gallagher, Ray Campbell, Ryan McMonagle (Charlie McCormick), Andy Porter, Eddie McIntyre (Damien Coyle), Brian Tracey, Dan Hartin (Cathal Faulkner) Subs: Liam Davenport Clonmany: Peter Devlin, Marty Doherty, Liam Hirrell, Phil Pat Doherty, Philip Devlin, Paul McLaughlin, Steve Harkin, Michael Grant, Brendan Devlin (Michael Devlin), Mark McLaughlin, Jason Devlin Subs: Raymond McDaid, Niall McDaid, Patrick Harkin, Kevin McCarron For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
| Return to > Sports > News > Home |
 |