Brian McCormick Sports Cup round-up
The Brian McCormick Sports Cup has seen its areas crowned with champions and holders Gweedore Celtic are still in the hunt as are Kilmacrennan Celtic, St Catherine's and Raphoe Town.
Lifford Area Final
Raphoe Town 4
Drumoghill Celtic 2
Two goals in the second half from Gerard McMonagle helped Raphoe on their way to victory in the area final of the Brian McCormick Cup competition when they saw off Drumoghill at Deele College.
A strong blustery wind made conditions difficult for both teams but both sides gave 100 per cent in a hard fought and sporting encounter. Raphoe took the lead in the 10th minute when John Sweeney headed on a free-kick from Frankie McBrearty and the Drumoghill keeper was unable to keep the ball from finding the roof of the net.
They did get back on level terms in the 23rd minute when Liam O'Donnell raced clear and fired a well-struck shot low past Paul Carbery in the Raphoe goal.
However, it only took two minutes into the second half for Raphoe to regain their lead. John Sweeney was the architect this time, driving in a fine cross from the left that Gerard McMonagle headed home at the back post. After that both sides struggled to create a clear-cut opportunity until the 63rd minute when Ciaran Devine pounced on a mistake and drove into the roof of the net to level the tie again.
However, Raphoe were soon back in the lead and once again McMonagle found the net in the 67th minute, this time rising to head home Seamus Bogle's cross from the right. The home side was on top at this stage and they put the icing on the cake when McMonagle headed back across goal in the 77th minute for Darren Kelly to sweep home and secure the win for Raphoe.
Good team efforts from both sides with Stephen Conaghan, Emmett Kelly and Gerard McMonagle excellent for Raphoe and Gary Carr and Sean McDaid best for Drumoghill.
Donegal Area
Eany Celtic 0
St Catherine's 1
This Donegal Area final was played in good conditions at Eany Park.
Both sides played open football throughout with the away side coming out on top by a single goal. The game started brightly with Eany going close form a Stuart Johnston shot early on. The visitors came more into the game and had the home side under pressure for long periods in the fist half.
Eany defence held firm and were breached by an own goal on 35 minutes. Eany closed out the half on top but could not find the equaliser. The second half started as the first half had finished, with Eany keeping up the pressure on the visitors and were unlucky not to have got their just reward for their efforts. As Eany pushed hard to get back on terms St Catherine's could have scored a second on the counter attack. Good team performances from both sides.
Gweedore Area
Gweedore Celtic 1
Gweedore United 1
(AET - Celtic wins 4-3 on penalties)
Goalkeeper Michael McKelvey and Colin Ferry were the heroes of the day with the home team scrambling into the semi-finals of the Brian McCormick Cup
Ferry forced the game into extra-time with a last minute strike and Mc Kelvey saved two United penalties to leave the holders still intact. The home team had the first chance when an Eamon Cannon blockbuster came off the crossbar.
The visitors pressed after that and the Celtic's goal had a number of near misses.
The host had a gilt-edged chance on 40 minutes when Odhran MacNiallais was fouled in the penalty box Eamon Cannon's spot-kick was saved by keeper Alan Keller. Gweedore United took the lead 10 minutes into second half, despite appealing for offside. Owen Ward slid the ball into the corner. With both defences on top chances were at a minimum at either ends.
A long clearance by McKelvey landed in the United penalty area and Colin Ferry was first to react to finish from a narrow angle.
Gweedore Celtic dominate the extra –time but couldn't make the breakthrough Gweedore United went two up in the penalty shootout but Michael Mc Kelvey's heroic ensured that the home team are the Shield winners. Best of the home team were Lee Ferry and Colin Ferry.
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Weather for Donegal
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: 5 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
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