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Harkin the hero as Clonmany
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Clonmany Reserves...2 (Carl Harkin and Eddie Doherty (pen)) Aileach Reserves...2 (Gerard Arbuckle) by Michael Stamp, Inishowen Independent, in Clonmany OFTEN referred to as the cruellest way to end a game of football, penalty kicks are a strange beast. After all, how can something so simple as a dead ball strike from 12 yards make David O’Leary a national icon and make the infinitely superior Roberto Baggio’s career an international byword for heroic failure. However, sometimes penalties ultimately provide justice as proved to be the case on Sunday in the Father O’Gara Cup. Clonmany Reserves were definitely the better team but the goal scoring ability of Gerard Arbuckle and a gritty display in defence meant that after two hours of football spot kicks were needed to break the deadlock. The opening moments of the game were sloppy with a wet pitch making the game more difficult for both sides. Carl Harkin had an early half chance for Aileach and Arbuckle stung Paddy Harkin’s hands with a strike from 20 yards out. Clonmany should have heeded the away side’s threat more as they went ahead soon afterwards. Arbuckle, a former Clonmany player, collected the ball just outside the area and kept a cool head to strike past Paddy Harkin in the home goal. |
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Going behind seemed to
invigorate the home side and an equaliser seemed to be a
case of when not it. Emlyn Doherty, who was excellent at
full back, saw an ambitious effort go wide. SP Doherty
saw a close range effort blocked and Kevin McCarron had
a free held well by Joe Coyle. Clonmany finally broke the deadlock through Carl Harkin. A corner in from Kevin McCarron went into a shower of bodies but Harkin managed to get the vital touch to stroke home and restore deserved parity. Mickey Harkin almost put the home side ahead with a low drive that just skimmed past the post. As the half reached its conclusion Aileach came into the game more but failed to make Paddy Harkin work. Dessie Doherty had a great chance just before the end of the half finding himself one on one with Joe Coyle but he sliced his shot horribly wide. In the second half Aileach had the early advantage with Mark McLaughlin almost getting lucky seeing his cross hitting a post. Liam Bradley then put a great ball through to Arbuckle but Harkin in the Clonmany net was equal |
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to his shot. After this however Clonmany began piling on the pressure. Mickey Harkin saw his shot deflected onto a post, Kevin Harkin headed wide from a McCarron corner and Dessie Doherty had a long-range effort well saved by Coyle. Against the run of play the away side took the lead. Emlyn Doherty fouled Bradley and a free was awarded, Arbuckle stepped up to take the free and placed it perfectly into the top corner to give Aileach an unlikely and undeserved lead. As with the first goal, going behind seemed to jolt the home team into action with Rocky Ivers and SP Doherty both having efforts cleared off the line. Dessie Doherty also had a good shot saved but the away defence was proving difficult to breech. With 93 minutes on the clock Aileach must have thought they were progressing to the next round however a clumsy tackle on Aiden Doherty meant that Clonmany had one kick to keep heir cup hopes alive. Fellow substitute Eddie Doherty showed tremendous nerve slotting the ball into the right corner and bringing the tie into extra time. |
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The extra half hour didn’t really help either team, as
both seemed happy for the game to be decided by
penalties. Both number eights Dessie Doherty and Bradley
both had chances but found their attempts going wide.
Arbuckle almost managed to steal the game for the away
side after finding himself one on one with Paddy Harkin
but could only put his effort wide. Unfortunately Kevin
Harkin had to go off with a nasty ankle injury leaving
Clonmany with ten men for the dying minutes of the
match. Both teams seemed relatively positive about facing penalties, Aileach as they knew they had been outplayed and Clonmany as they had huge faith in their keeper Paddy Harkin’s ability to save from 12 yards. Mark McLaughlin and Eddie Doherty converted the first penalties but McGowan and Ivers missed their spot |
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kicks. Bradley, Carl
Harkin, Arbuckle, Dessie Doherty, McGuinness, Gearoid
Doherty, Murray and Emlyn Doherty all managed to put
their efforts away. In sudden death McGlynn stepped up for Aileach but Paddy Harkin athletically saved his strike. The deciding penalty went to Aiden Doherty who showed no nerve and placed his strike into the top right corner to secure a deserved victory for Clonmany. Clonmany Reserves: Paddy Harkin, Emlyn Doherty, Andy Doherty (Gearoid Doherty), Ivan Doherty, Kevin Harkin, Rocky Ivers, Mickey Harkin (Eddie Doherty), Dessie Doherty, Carl Harkin, Kevin McCarron, SP Doherty (Aiden Doherty). Subs not used: Declan Grant, Kieran Doherty. Aileach Reserves: Joe Coyle, Mark McLaughlin, Stephen McGuinness, Mervyn McGowan, Darren McDermott, Christy Murray, Simon McLaughlin, Liam Bradley (Martin O’Donnell), Derek Gallagher, Gerard Arbuckle, Dermot McGlynn. Sub not used, Ben Kilgore. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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