Glengad crush Gleneely Colts
Doherty’s double ends Gleneely title hopes 09.05.08

Glengad...3 (Michael Doherty and Terence Doherty 2) Gleneely...0 by Michael Stamp, Inishowen Independent, at Glengad WITH THE First Division title hanging in the balance the meeting between Glengad and Gleneely was of paramount importance to both sides. Funnily enough, the second tier of Inishowen football has resembled the second tier of English football this season giving up shock results, mismatches and a league title nobody seems to want to win. A victory in this match would have guaranteed the Colts the title and promotion. With the stakes being so high anything could happen yet Gleneely had to be considered the favourites.

After a somewhat mixed start to the season Gleneely had been in great form recently winning a vital match against Buncrana a fortnight ago. On the other hand Glengad’s recent form has been erratic to say the least. A 4-0 defeat against fellow promotion chasers Buncrana last week was the nadir of their season and blew the title race wide open. In fact the most interested observers in Glengad on Sunday were the Buncrana side who were hoping for a draw that would have suited them just fine. However Sean Doherty’s charges didn’t get their wish as the home side blew away a surprisingly lacklustre Gleneely. A goal on the quarter hour from Michael Doherty and a well taken brace by Terence Doherty all in the first half ensured that the race for promotion would go to a playoff. The opening exchanges were unsurprisingly cagey with both sides not wanting to make a mistake. Gleneely had early chances but it was Glengad who drew first blood. A good ball in from Paul A McDermott was met by the head of Michael Doherty to give the home side an early lead.

Things got worse for the away side when Terence Doherty slotted past Kris Duffy on the half hour mark. To be fair to the Gleneely custodian there was nothing he could do about both goals and he performed heroically throughout the match keeping Glengad at bay. Gleneely were struggling to get a foothold in the game at this point and leaked another goal just before half time. A good ball through from John J McDermott found Terrence Doherty who finished coolly past Duffy.

Half time couldn’t come soon enough for the Gleneely players but a three goal deficit was always going to be difficult to overturn. Terence Doherty was still proving to be a threat for the Gleneely backline forcing Duffy into a save early on. Gleneely hit back with Michael McLaughlin having to save an Eddie McNamee shot. The away side were unlucky not to score several times with Ronan Kearney and Declan Kearney both going close to getting Gleneely back in the game. With Gleneely getting back into the game the home side brought on some fresh faces and this change totally revitalised the team. Terence Doherty almost claimed his hat-trick just after the substitution with a good run through on goal but Duffy was fast off his line to snuff out the danger. Gleneely were trying hard but it just wasn’t happening for them, an uncharacteristically weak shot from Grey summing up their afternoon.

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