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Seven up for Clonmany 28.10.11
Charlie O’Donnell Memorial Cup

Moville Celtic...1
(Harkin)

Clonmany Shamrocks...7
(J. Devlin 5, M. Devlin, D. McLaughlin)

by Caoimhinn Barr at Caratra Park (Photo: Herbie Barr)

WHEN YOUR left-back scores five goals, chances are you’ll win the game. And so it was for Clonmany on Tuesday night when Jason Devlin struck a quintet of shots into the Moville as the Premier champions roared to victory in Culdaff.
Playing some champagne football under the lights of Caratra Park, Clonmany sparked into life following Michael Devlin’s fine first-half opener before brother Jason began peppering the Celtic net from all angles. Substitute Daniel McLaughlin also chipped in from distance while Dermot Harkin struck late for Moville.
With the two Inishowen giants clashing for the second time in the space of two days, few could have predicted a 7-1 result – particularly given the fact that Moville dumped Clonmany out of the West End League Cup following a closely fought contest at Glencrow last Sunday.
Employing veteran Brendan Devlin in defence, where he could ping passes left and right, Clonmany were in awesome form on a night when everything went right. Moville matched their opponents until Michael Devlin’s goal but thereafter Clonmany went on to dominate.
The Foylesiders actually started the brighter of the two teams and almost opened the scoring inside the first two minutes when Nigel McMonagle’s deft chip from twenty yards was brilliantly tipped over by Clonmany keeper Kevin McLaughlin after good work by Tony Boyce.
Celtic pair Boyce and Eamon Reddin both flashed shots wide before a Jason Devlin cross after ten minutes caused the first signs of panic in the Moville defence.
Threatening on the right again, Devlin skipped round Hoops keeper Sean McGuinness but saw his effort well cleared by Tony McGeady before Darren Coyle fired too high from distance.
At the other end, Clonmany stopper Kevin McLaughlin made a fantastic double save to deny Moville duo PJ Barr and Nigel McMonagle before a Brendan Devlin shot from near the halfway line almost caught out McGuinness in the opposing goal.
Gathering a degree of momentum, Clonmany began to look the more likely with Darren Coyle seeing a header well saved after an excellent cross by Aaron Friel before Philip Devlin headed off target from a Jason Devlin corner.
With the clock ticking towards 25 minutes, the Shamrocks struck; Ray McDaid sliding the ball through for Michael Devlin, who angled a left-foot shot brilliantly past McGuinness and into the Moville net with very little to aim at.
Buoyed by Devlin’s strike, the west Inishowen men went on to dominated the remainder of the opening period with Paul McLaughlin and Jason Doherty going close before another Devlin increased their advantage. This time Michael turned provider, from the corner spot, and Jason provided the stunning finish – an unstoppable volley into the top corner of the Moville net from the left-hand corner of the box.
With the last action of the first-half Joe Doherty almost pulled a goal back for Moville but his flicked effort past Kevin McLaughlin lacked the necessary power to trundle over the line and was well cleared by Philip Devlin.
Clonmany began the second period in similarly positive fashion with Jason Devlin knifing through again to be denied by a smart stop from McGuinness before the Moville keeper made another good save to thwart Darren Coyle.
Jason Doherty then headed a Devlin corner wide before Coyle saw another drive saved.
Raymond Campbell provided a rare Moville threat but the midfielder was brilliantly denied by Kevin McLaughlin after combining well with Alan Orr, who was a bright spark on a dull night for the Glencrow outfit.
On the hour Clonmany ended any lingering Moville hopes of an unlikely comeback when Jason Devlin tapped in after Michael Devlin’s deflected cross landed perfectly in his path.
Soon after Darren Coyle struck the bar with a fierce effort after spinning well in the box before Jason Devlin completed his hat-trick; again he was the in the right place at the right time to smash home after Jason Doherty’s shot was blocked by Orr.
A poor clearance by Moville goalkeeper Sean McGuinness allowed Clonmany substitute Daniel McLaughlin to make it five with a pinpoint chip from forty yards before Jason Devlin fired in again after more good work by McLaughlin.
With minutes to go Moville finally registered when Dermot Harkin headed in Darryl Doherty’s cross. But the Shamrocks still had the final say.
Not content with four goals from left-back, Devlin struck a fifth, with his right foot, to cap a night to remember.

Moville Celtic: Sean McGuinness, Darryl Doherty, Tony McGeady, Eamon Reddin, Alan Orr, PJ Barr, Raymond Campbell, Dermot Harkin, Joe Doherty, Tony Boyce, Nigel McMonagle. Subs: Sean McGrenaghan, Maurice McCauley, Richie McElhinney, Conor McLaughlin, Graeme Doherty.

Clonmany Shamrocks: Kevin McLaughlin, Aaron Friel, Liam Hirrell, Paul McLaughlin, Philip Devlin, Ray McDaid, Jason Devlin, Darren Coyle, Brendan Devlin, Michael Devlin, Jason Doherty. Subs: Daniel McLaughlin, Alan Friel, Jamie Coyle, Conor Bradley.

Man of the Match
Darren Coyle kept Clonmany ticking in midfield all night while the Devlins, Philip, Mickey and Brendan also caught the eye. The award must go to Jason Devlin though, who gave the performance of his life and scored five goals for good measure. Stunning display.

Ref Watch
Not a difficult game for Gerard O’Kane to officiate. Both teams played good, honest football and conceded few fouls. O’Kane only had to reach into his pocket once, for a yellow card late on. Played a number of good advantages and, ss ever, was fair to both sets of players.

Turning Point
Following such a one-sided game it is difficult to pinpoint one turning point but Michael Devlin’s opening goal was the one that led to an avalanche of Clonmany goals. Moville were never really in the hunt after that and could have lost by ten had it not been for a number of smart stops by Sean McGuinness.

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