 |
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
 |
| Search... |
Greencastle sister act sinks
Carn
04.09.08
|
||||||||
|
Greencastle...3 Carndonagh...0 by Michael Stamp, Inishowen Independent, at Foyle Park PLAYED on a perfect Sunday evening in Redcastle, the Ladies League Cup final provided an opportunity for either triumph or redemption. For Carndonagh a win would bring a league and cup double. For league runners up, Greencastle it would be a measure of revenge after having run the champions so close over the last season. The previous meeting between the ladies in Rashenny was a barnstormer that Carn won 4-2, so a tight affair was expected. However this turned out not to be the case as a determined Greencastle blew Carndonagh out of the water with a performance full of grit and skill. |
|
|
To be fair to Carndonagh
they did have an excuse. Their talisman Zoe Doherty was
unavailable, being away on international duty with the
Republic of Ireland under-19 side against Northern
Ireland, one of the few occasions when a player has been
disappointed to receive an international call up.
Without Zoe up front Carn looked somewhat rudderless and
without its focal point, their usual penetrative style
didn’t work. Greencastle took full advantage and attacked Carndonagh from the opening whistle with Ciara Hegarty unlucky to see an effort fly just over. For the first quarter of an hour of the game Carn were being swamped and a Greencastle goal seemed imminent. It came when they earned a hotly disputed penalty when Rosie McColgan took down Niamh Hegarty. Despite the Carndonagh protests the penalty was legitimate. After earning the kick Hegarty did the honours and sent a strike to the right that evaded the outstretched hand of Fiona Doherty in the Carndonagh net. Greencastle were dominant and Carn’s efforts to move the ball up the pitch were futile as the Greencastle defence, and Geraldine Harkin in particular, were immense. Treasa Doherty almost levelled for Carn with an effort from outside the box that just floated over. This summed up the entire game for Carndonagh, close but not close enough. |
 |
|
After half time it was
vital that Carn made a positive start. Conceding a goal
less in than two minutes was not part of Niall
McGuinness’ plan. When Niamh McLaughlin received the
ball outside Carn's area there didn't seem to be too
much danger but a wonderful lofted strike deceived
keeper Fiona Doherty and put Greencastle two up. Greencastle had a chance to go further ahead when a good ball from Niamh McLaughlin landed to Annette McLaughlin but her strike was an easy take for Fiona Doherty in the Carn Goal. Niamh McLaughlin had an even better chance moments later when she found herself one-on-one with Fiona Doherty but the Carn keeper did well to stay on her feet to clear the first effort and McLaughlin hit wide with the second. To their credit Carndonagh kept trying but nothing was coming off for them, Greencastle being first to every ball didn't help matters either. Carn almost got back into the game when Treasa Doherty went on a good run and a cross from the sideline almost went into the net. It was a ball that was begging to be connected with but there was nobody there and as we all know thin air has never scored. Fiona Doherty was called into action soon afterwards with a great one handed save from Niamh McLaughlin. If Greencastle's second goal deflated Carn their third totally crushed any hopes of a comeback. Catching Carn on the break a ball forward from defence landed to Ciara Hegarty who danced through the Carn defence and put the game beyond doubt with a cool finish past Doherty. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
| Return to > News |
 |