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Moville reserve place in history books 05.05.11
Reserve League Premier Division

Moville Reserves...3
(Boyce, Lafferty, McGeoghan)

Clonmany Reserves...0

Caoimhinn Barr reports from Glencrow (Photo: Herbie Barr)

WHEN it comes to reserve league football in Inishowen nobody does it better than Moville Celtic.
After picking up a fourth shield in-a-row last month, the Foylesiders have now secured an unprecedented third successive league title after victory over Clonmany last Sunday.
Goals from Tony Boyce, Conor Lafferty and Christy McGeoghan helped John L. Coyle’s team to a comprehensive win and a place in the Inishowen League history books.
And while the senior team from Glencrow struggled to find last year’s form for much of the campaign, it was business as usual for the best reserve team in the peninsula. Sporting bright orange shirts, the future certainly appears bright for the Moville second stringers.
With Darren Bredin and Mickey Craig anchoring the top defence in reserve football, Moville have conceded only eight goals in fourteen league games this season. Capable full-backs Christy McLaughlin and Jimmy Holmes also played their part in snuffing out a dangerous Clonmany attack on Sunday morning.
Employing experienced first-teamers Shane Canning and Daryl Doherty in midfield, John L. Coyle’s team were much more clinical than their Clonmany opponents, who could have forced a title play-off with an unlikely win.
Dominating possession for large periods, Clonmany failed to produce a cutting edge while Moville created a number of key chances after Boyce fired them into an early lead.
Bossing his area throughout, Moville keeper Sean McGuinness didn’t put a foot wrong all morning while the home team even enjoyed the luxury of a missed Conor Lafferty penalty following Kevin McLaughlin’s superb save.
With veteran goalscorer Kevin McDermott on the bench after picking up a knock last month, Moville had more than enough for a below-par Clonmany team, which relied on occasional flashes of Daniel McLaughlin brilliance.
Needing only one point to secure a third successive title, Moville got off to the perfect start in the ninth minute when lightning teenager Tony Boyce fired the home team ahead with an astute finish inside ten minutes.
Collecting Darren Bredin’s raking pass, Daryl Doherty crossed for Boyce to skip past a defender in the box before coolly flicking over the onrushing Clonmany keeper Kevin McLaughlin for a fine finish to settle Moville nerves.
Minutes later Doherty sent Boyce on his way again but this time the young frontman fired wide under pressure.
Controlling possession for much of the opening period, Clonmany had to wait until midway through the first-half before Daniel McLaughlin troubled the home defence; forcing a corner after his stinging shot was blocked.
Another shot, this time by Jonathan McLaughlin, failed to trouble McGuinness in the Moville goal before Daniel McLaughlin was off target from distance following good interplay between Clonmany duo, Darren Grant and Aidan Doherty.
A Jason Doherty run and shot flew wide from a tight angle before Jonathan McLaughlin’s cross was easily gathered by Moville keeper McGuinness.
Largely isolated in attack, Conor Lafferty almost doubled Moville’s advantage towards the end of the first-half but Clonmany keeper Kevin McLaughlin made a superb save to deny the home talisman following Shane Canning’s long-throw.
Quickly out of the blocks after a half-time team talk, Tony Boyce almost settled Moville nerves with a second goal but flicked just wide after gathering Christy McGeoghan through ball.
Daryl Doherty then threatened with a header before Michael Brendan Doherty clipped wide from eight yards after excellent play by Moville right-back Christy McLaughlin.
Clonmany threatened a goal of their own when Jason Doherty’s shot was blocked behind by Mickey Craig. Doherty’s resultant corner was then fired wide from twelve yards by Dessie Doherty.
Almost immediately Moville had the title in sight when Conor Lafferty diverted Christy McLaughlin’s shot into the net for a two-goal cushion.
With fifteen minutes remaining Lafferty had the chance to grab his second and Moville’s third after being bundled over in the box to force a penalty. The home number ten was denied by a superb spot save from Kevin McLaughlin however.
John L. Coyle’s men didn’t have long to wait though as the ever-impressive Christy McGeoghan flicked in off the post after controling Michael Brendan Doherty’s incisive pass to make it three. Three goals. Three league championships in-a-row.

Moville Reserves: Sean McGuinness, Christy McLaughlin, Jimmy Holmes, Mickey Craig, Darren Bredin, Daryl Doherty, Shane Canning, Michael Brendan Doherty, Christy McGeoghan, Conor Lafferty, Tony Boyce. Subs: Shaun Doherty, Colin Doherty, Shaun Diver, Kevin McDermott, Christy Harvey, Ralph Bredin.

Clonmany Reserves: Kevin McLaughlin, Declan Grant, Danny Harkin, Darren Coyle, Brian Devlin, Daniel McLaughlin, Darren Grant, Dessie Doherty, Jason Doherty, Jonathan McLaughlin, Aidan Doherty. Subs: Eamon Doherty, Martin Kelly, Liam McCarron.

AT A GLANCE

Man of the Match
Moville duo Mickey Craig and Darren Bredin were excellent at the back. Up front, Tony Boyce and Christy McGeoghan impressed. For Clonmany Daniel McLaughlin showed occasional moments of magic. The award goes to Moville full-back Christy McLaughlin, who policed the right flank brilliantly while also getting forward with great effect.

Ref Watch
John Joe Lafferty had a sound game in the middle. Was right to award a penalty to Moville in the second-half. Was also correct to book his nephew Conor Lafferty for kicking the ball away. Let the players get on with it as much as possible.

Turning Point
Conor Lafferty’s second-half strike to put Moville two ahead minutes after Clonmany had a chance to equalise proved the difference before the home team went on to seal the title in style.

John L. Coyle
The unassuming Moville manager deserves great credit for leading the Foylesiders to another title. Coyle works hard for his team and his community. He got his just rewards last Sunday.

For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent.
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