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Gray day for Sea Rovers
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Gleneely...2 Sea Rovers...0 Story: Inishowen Independent ON A weekend of cup shocks the question on everybody’s lips in Gleneely was could Sea Rovers defy the odds and put the home side out of the Father O’ Gara cup. After all with Cardiff, Barnsley and Portsmouth winning the favorites were having a rough weekend. However Gleneely entered this tie fully confident of victory having beaten their opponents 2-0 in the league recently. And so this tie proved despite being much improved in the second half Rovers were put to the sword through goals by Ronan Kearney and James Gray. |
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The opening period was all
Gleneely with the match seemingly heading for a rugby
score. Gray lofted a good ball into Jason McElhinney who
almost connected, an early indicator of Gleneely’s
superior attacking threat. The home side were causing
Rovers a lot of problems andbJason McElhinney saw a shot
go narrowly over. Gleneely went even closer moments
later when Neal G Duffy had a shot touched onto the bar
by Daniel Toland in the away goal. Toland was called
into action again when Iarlaith McLaughlin sent a ball
in for Declan Kearney but the Sea Rovers custodian
managed to tip over. Sea Rovers first meaningful attack of the day came when Andrew Davis released Gary Farren who was expertly tackled Barry Kearney. Farren shot narrowly wide soon afterwards but Gleneely were still in the ascendancy. Declan Kearney went on a good run but saw his shot sail wide after the away defence failed to close him down. His brother Ronan also had a good chance when he hit over with the Sea Rovers defence falling asleep. Mc Elhinney also had a chance but saw his shot going wide. |
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| With all this pressure a Gleneely goal was a case of when and not if and it eventually came on 43 minutes. Duffy sent a great ball through to Ronan Kearney and this time the Gleneely man made no mistake and slotted past Toland in the away goal. Gleneely were unlucky not to further their lead when McLaughlin shot wide after being released by Ronan Kearney. The home side had further chances before the half time whistle but could not extend their lead. | |
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The five man midfield
Gleneely had been experimenting with for the last few
games was working well and the home side didn’t have to
wait long to double their lead with a great goal from
Gray. The Gleneely striker, who led the line well,
received the ball on the edge of the area with his back
to goal hit a terrific overhead kick past Toland who had
no chance. Barry Kearney almost added another goal moments later when his free kick from the half way line went just over. Rovers hit back when sub Simon Ward went on a good run and hit a decent shot but Kris Duffy always had it under control. Sea Rovers improved immeasurably in the second period and were exerting real pressure on the home side. Ward was causing real problems in the Gleneely defence and had a shot deflected wide just after releasing Mickey Farren who nearly ran through the home defence. |
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Gleneely’s shape was forced
to change when Declan Kearney was required to come off
midway through the second half. His replacement Martin
Mooney went up front to partner Gray with the home side
changing to 4-4-2. Mooney almost made an immediate
impact with a strike from distance that went just wide.
The substitute came even closer moments later when his
low left footed drive was saved brilliantly by Toland. Toland was called into action again soon afterwards when called to fist away McLaughlin’s cross. McLaughlin then sent a good ball into Gray who shot narrowly wide. Sea Rovers were not quite dead in the water yet and Kris Duffy had to be alert and claim the ball when Gary Doherty sent through John Doherty. Mooney came close again for Gleneely with a shot that sailed over the bar. Gary Farren sent a good ball through to Ward who saw his shot saved by Duffy. By this point however the game was as good as over and there was to be no cup shock in this tie. A deserved victory for the home side. Gleneely: Kris Duffy, Steven McLaughlin, Eddie McNamee, Barry Kearney, Barry, Diver, Neal G Duffy, Ronan Kearney, Declan Kearney (Martin Mooney), James Gray, Iarlaith McLaughlin, Jason McElhinney. Subs not used, Christopher McElhinney. Sea Rovers: Daniel Toland, Robert Monagle, Martin Ward, Donal Doherty, Brendan Monagle, Andrew Davis (John Doherty) , Gary Farren, Mickey Farren, Daniel Glackin (Simon Ward), Gary Doherty, Aiden Doherty. Subs not used, Seamus Doherty. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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