DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
Downtown Cup
Erne Wanderers will attempt to complete a Saturday Double when they contest the Downtown Cup Final against Fintown Harps AFC. That Saturday League curtain call will take place at Diamond Park, Ballyare on Saturday 18th May with kick off at 2p.m. Fintown Harps earned the right to contest this year’s decider when they defeated Donegal Town Reserves in the second semi final on Saturday evening.
Semi Final Reports
Erne Wanderers 5 Glenea United Reserves 1
Erne Wanderers booked their place in the final of the Downtown Cup with victory over Glenea United Reserves at Diamond Park, Ballyare on Saturday afternoon. In what was a scrappy affair at times it was the Ballyshannon outfit that prevailed. During a seven minute closing spell, with Glenea chasing the game, Erne Wanderers scored three goals that put a somewhat distorted look on the final scoreline. That said the men from the South of the county never looked like relinquishing their early lead.
It was Peter Mc Gonigle who registered the first strike in this match between the Old Orchard Inn Saturday Division One champions and the second string of the Gaeltacht club. Mc Gonigle headed beyond the reach of Ciarán Gallagher in the Glenea net having risen highest in the box to steer the first corner kick of the game goalwards with only five minutes played. Neither keeper had much to do until the thirtieth ninth minute when Glenea’s Shane Ferry broke down the right wing and sent a teasing ball across Karl O’ Brien’s six yard box. With the Erne netminder seemingly rooted to the spot he had his right back, Mc Gonigle, to thank as the defender tracked the back post run of Tommy Rodgers and got his toe to the ball to divert it away from the inrushing winger.
The teams went in level for the half time interval.
On the recommencement of the action again it was Erne who struck early. Again five minutes had passed when Mark Dorrian was fed as he entered the Glenea box. The industrious midfielder took his chance well giving Gallagher no chance from close range. Glenea pulled a goal back after twenty minutes. Donal Coll was played in by Edward Muldowney and from just inside the box he curled the ball to the back of the net. It was a goal that Glenea deserved as they had battled well without reward.
Although initiated the complete comeback craved by the Glenea supporters never materialised despite occasional glimpses of intent. It was the search for an equalised that ultimately extinguished the Glenea challenge and allowed Erne to put the gloss to the final scoreline. On thirty eight minutes Diarmuid Spratt scored the goal of the game when he picked the ball forty yards from goal and without progressing more than six paces he send a rocket like shot straight into the top corner of the Glenea net as Gallagher watched hopelessly. The custodian had no chance of getting near to this majestic strike. Five minutes later Spratt turned provider as he set up David Dolan in the box. The forward scored with a shot that went under the outrushing Gallagher. Dolan got his second as the full time whistle beckoned. Erne will now try to complete a Saturday double by overcoming Fintown Harps in the Downtown Cup Final.
Erne Wanderers: Karl O’ Brien, Peter Mc Gonigle, Ryan O’ Brien, Jamie Cassidy, Liam Reynolds, Dermot Slevin, Mark Dorrian, David Dorrian, Diarmuid Spratt, David Dolan, Eamon Cleary. Subs: Mark Lyons, Daniel Kelly, Peter Boyle, Damien Lyons. Manager: Alan Dorrian.
Glenea United Reserves: Ciarán Gallagher, Shane Penrose, Shane Coll, Padraig Mc Gee, Kevin Mc Fadden, Sean Sweeney, Shane Ferry, Brian Cuffe, Martin Maguire, Donal Coll, Tommy Rodgers. Subs: Martin Doohan, Edward Muldowney, Michael Mc Cafferty. Manager: Tommy Mc Fadden & Gerry Harley.
Referee: Paul Doherty, Assistants: Brian O’ Kane & Barry Hunter.
Donegal Town Reserves 1 Fintown Harps AFC 2
Donegal Town Reserves were struck with a similar blow to what their first team inflicted on Curragh Athletic just six days earlier. That insurmountable crest had been laid in the last minute of normal time as the Donegal Town Sunday side laid claim to the Watson Hire Division One Title. Like Curragh last week it was hard for the Town Reserves to take but such has been the closeness of so many matches this season that one goal has being the difference between winning and losing.
Fintown Harps, appearing in their second Cup semi final in as many seasons, took an early lead in this match. As in the earlier semi final it was also in the fifth minute that the deadlock was broken. Darragh Gallagher picked up the ball just inside the Donegal half and he ran the inside right channel to the edge of the penalty area. On enter the opposition’s box he was confronted by their keeper Eamonn Mc Ginley. Gallagher calmly stroked the ball between the legs of the netminder. Buoyed by an early advantage Fintown almost pushed the destruct button immediately. From the restart Donegal pumped the ball forward and a moment of hesitation from left back John Molloy on the edge of the Fintown box left Donegal’s David Harron one on one with the keeper. Harron snatched at his shot and sent the ball over the bar, a let-off for Fintown. Gary Ward then went to the byline before sending the ball across the Fintown box. Netminder Ciarán Thompson scooped the ball away for a corner as Donegal pressed forward. Four minutes later they had a goalbound effort headed off the line as Fintown led a somewhat charmed life. Donegal continued to have the better of things for the remainder of the half but Fintown defended gallantly into a stiff breeze. One nil it remained to the interval.
Donegal Town started the second half from where they had left off before the break. They pushed forward at every opportunity as Fintown relied on the odd breakaway. Despite this it was Fintown who almost got the second goal of the game. On fifty seven minutes Darragh Gallagher sent over a cross that hung over the penalty spot. Striker Shan Mc Millan and keeper Mc Ginley contested the dropping ball but they cancelled each other out and the ball fell just behind Mc Millan. With Mc Ginley stranded Mc Millan didn’t realise the position of the ball and the Donegal defence recovered to clear. Half hearted penalty claims at either end were waved away as Joe Mc Intyre for Donegal and Aaron Thompson for Fintown seemed the two most likely to create something tangible. Peadar Toner was then sent off.
After receiving his second yellow card on twenty four minutes Fintown right back Peadar Toner had to leave the play. Just as in the previous year’s semi final Fintown were reduced to ten men. The difference this time was that they were in the lead. Six minutes later Thompson made two point blank saves in succession to maintain his side’s advantage. Donegal Town then introduced JP Byrne for David Harron. Only six minutes on the field Byrne send in an angled cross to the Fintown penalty area. Eugene Molloy’s attempted headed clearance ended up in the back of the net and Donegal were back level with the numerical advantage in terms of players. The tempo increased as time ran out. Extra time loomed. Fintown wouldn’t want this. There were too many reminders of the previous year. Gallagher on the scoresheet, down to ten men, the reliable Toner off the field of play, bright hazy sunshine. Aaron Thompson was having none of it. The striker picked up a loose ball on the edge of the Donegal box in the final minute. Fintown substitute Stephen Boyle had battled well to cause create the opening. Thompson made no mistake as he shot past Mc Ginley from close range. Fintown were through to the Downtown Cup final. Donegal Town will live to fight another day.
Donegal Town Reserves: Eamon Mc Ginley, Gary Harron, Kevin Deveney, Ryan Gallagher, David Mc Groary, Pauric Mc Glynn, David Harron, Paul Gerard Duncan, David Bustard, Joe Mc Intyre, Gary Ward. Subs: Barry Farragher, Kevin Gallagher, Warren Montgomery, JP Byrne, Paddy Kennedy, Declan Mc Monagle, Christian Mc Gettigan.
Fintown Harps AFC: Ciarán Thompson, Peadar Toner, John Molloy, Eugene Molloy, Barry Mc Monagle, Brian Delaney, Darragh Gallagher, John Mc Fadden, Aaron Thompson, Shan Mc Millan, Gary Mc Hugh. Subs: Paddy Mc Fadden, Stephen Boyle, John P. Breslin, Declan Gavican.
