Clonmany reserves hold nerve
Top Four Cup Final  29.05.08

Glengad United...1 (Doherty 6) Clonmany Shamrocks Reserves...1 (Dessie Doherty 56) Clonmany Shamrocks Reserves win 5-4 on penalties after extra time by Simon McGeady, Inishowen Independent, at Trawbrega Park CLONMANY Shamrocks Reserves made up for the disappointment of losing the Reserve League cup earlier this season with victory in the Top Four Cup final on Sunday evening. The Shamrock Park side did it the hard way though, coming back from the setback of an early goal conceded to go on to convert all five of their penalties in the shootout. Paddy Harkin was the shootout hero, diving high to his left to beat away Glengad United’s fourth penalty, taken by the unfortunate Stephen McLaughlin. John McDermott did all he could to keep his side alive coolly converting Glengad’s 5th penalty, but then Dessie Doherty, who scored Clonmany’s second half equaliser from the penalty spot, beat Michael McLaughlin to settle the tie. Played in a stiffening breeze that made good football difficult this was a fast and furious encounter more notable for the quality of defending than it was for memorable attacking play. There were glimpses of quality in front of goal, as early as the 6th minute Glengad took the lead when the Clonmany defence failed to react after their keeper punched out John McDaid’s cross from the right. The ball came out to left back Jason Doherty and he executed a perfect dipping volley over Harkin. On 19 minutes Patrick Doherty brought the ball out of his own half before playing a fine reverse pass to John McDaid who tried to chip Harkin but couldn’t clear the Clonmany keeper. Another goal at that stage would have had Glengad United in the driving seat. but it was not to be and Clonmany settled after that scare. Emlyn Doherty slipped in Eddie Doherty whose shot from ten yards out was blocked out to Kevin Harkin who blazed wide. They came closer on 39 minutes. Andrew Doherty released Eddie Doherty with a ball over the top only for Patrick Doherty to make a desperate, last ditch tackle. Clonmany exerted pressure on the Glengad goal in the final few minutes of the half. In injury time Karl Harkin got in between the yellow shirts and Michael McLaughlin but from five yards out the Clonmany forward couldn’t beat the Glengad keeper, who pulled off a superb reflex save. At the start of the second half John McDermott shot wide for Glengad. Then, at the other end of the pitch, Aiden Doherty held up the ball on the edge of opposition penalty area for Dessie Doherty to come steaming in and drill a shot just over. Clonmany were coming on strong at this stage but the Glengad defence, with Patrick Doherty at its heart, were in no mood to cave in. Clonmany’s chance arrived after a flowing move from Mickey Harkin to Eddie Doherty that ended with Aiden Doherty fouled in the penalty area. Dessie Doherty converted to make it 1-1. Stephen McLaughlin then had the ball in the net for Glengad but his effort was ruled offside. On 72 minutes a ball hooked over the top caught out the Glengad defence. Kevin Harkin found himself in on goal but couldn’t keep his first time shot under the crossbar. The game grew scrappy in the final stages as both teams went in search of the winner but neither keeper was forced to make a save. The chances dried up in extra time and, apart from a few long-range efforts, although Clonmany substitute’s Sean Paul Doherty and Kevin McLaughlin combined for the latter to shoot wide of the near post. In the penalty shootout the first three players on both sides found the net before Paddy Harkin got a glove to Stephen McLaughlin’s shot to swing the match Clonmany’s way.

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