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Disputed penalty helps Glengad
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12.12.08
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Glengad...2 Kilmacrennan...1 by Inishowen Independent A CONTROVERSIAL penalty decision from referee Eamon Doherty proved to be the difference between the sides in this keenly contested FAI Junior Cup game in Glengad. On a very cold and blustery day at Glengad’s new pitch it was very difficult to play attractive football, but in fairness to both sides they tried their best and knuckled down to make it a good spectacle for the hardy souls in attendance. With the likes of Marty McGinley and Phillip Buchannan in their ranks, two former Ulster Senior League players, the home team knew that this would be no easy game. The away side had the aid of a strong breeze in the first half and they will be very disappointed with the number of chances they created. They rarely threatened Michael McLaughlin in the Glengad goal in the first period. |
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The opening stages of the
game were scrappy with both teams finding it difficult
to deal with the conditions. The first chance of note
came from a mix up in the away defence when the ball
landed at the feet of Stephen McLaughlin on the right
wing and his low cross was very nearly turned into his
own net by a Kilmacrennan defender. A Marty McGinley effort from the edge of the box which went straight at McLaughlin was the first strike the away side had on goal, while almost immediately after a John Doherty strike whizzed past the post as Kilmacrennan looked to use the wind to their advantage. This however was as good as it got for the away side in the first half as Glengad began to take control. First Paddy McDermott headed over when well placed and then John Gerard McLaughlin missed a great chance from no more than ten yards out, he blazed his shot high over the crossbar when he really should have done better. Glengad’s pressure finally paid off when ten minutes before the break a Kilmacrennan defender gave the ball away on the half way line to John Gerard McDermott and the big striker showed blinding pace to get away from the defenders and finish low past McElwaine in the away goal and give the home side a well deserved lead. Just before the break Shaun Samuels almost equalised when he |
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struck a pile driver from
all of 35 yards that rebounded off the crossbar and away
to safety. This meant that Glengad went into the break
with their lead intact. Five minutes after the break the away side nearly levelled when from a free on the left the ball fell to Jimmy Burke who fired inches over when well placed. The game was beginning to open up a lot more and a Paddy McDermott free from just outside the box almost put Glengad two in front with the ball hitting the angle of crossbar and post and going behind for a goal kick. At the other end a good passing move ended up with a chance for John Doherty but his shot was well saved by McLaughlin. It wasn’t long however before Doherty made amends when he equalised for the away side. From a corner on the left which the home defence failed to deal with the ball fell to the feet of Doherty who made no mistake from ten yards to bring the sides level. Then came the major talking point in the game when referee Eamon Doherty awarded Glengad a penalty. The ref ruled that keeper Jimmy McElwaine had pushed Paddy McDermott in the box at a Glengad corner and awarded the penalty. This led to two bookings for Kilmacrennan defenders for their over-zealous protestations and some very strong words from the away bench. McDermott however was unfazed as he dusted himself down and calmly slotted the spot kick to McElwaine’s left sending the big keeper the wrong way. This led to wild celebrations on the Glengad bench however, manager Liam McClean was trying to make sure that his players settled down and kept things tight at the back. His words were very nearly in vain however as the ball went straight up the field to Buchannan who held it up well before releasing Friel on the left who went straight in on goal and with only Mc Laughlin to beat he blasted the ball well over the bar. This proved to be the last chance the away side would have to equalise as Glengad took the advice of their manager and kept things really tight to the end. Substitute Paul McDermott should really have put the game out of sight in the final minute when one-on-one with McElwaine, he hesitated however and the chance was gone. Luckily enough for the striker the miss did not matter as seconds later the whistle blew for full time and Glengad march on in this year’s FAI Junior Cup and travel to Galway next weekend where they will play the students of NUI Galway. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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