Illies in precarious spot 24.02.10
Jackie Crossan Premier Division

Aileach FC...1 (A. Doherty ’51) Illies FC...2 (N. McDaid ’29; S. Coyle’ 57) Report: Inishowen Independent DEFEATS in their last two games to Redcastle and Buncrana Hearts had left Illies in a precarious position near the foot of the Premier Division table. Sunday’s game with fellow relegation strugglers Aileach was a must win game for Paul Doherty’s side and they duly obliged, but endured some hairy moments on their way to a 2-1 win. Snow lying on Illies’ grounds saw the game switched to Aileach, the Burnfoot pitch hosting its first game since November. It took the teams some time to settle down and after a harum scarum opening period, Illies had the first chance of note when midfielder Paddy Doherty met Shaun Coyle’s cross but his header looped over Kieran Gallagher’s crossbar. Doherty had another decent chance on 17 minute when drew a good save out of Gallagher with a shot from 20 yards.

Declan O’Donnell and Kelvin Lynch impressed in defence for Aileach throughout, and the former squared to Gerard Boyle on 21 minutes. Boyle fed Ciaran Craig and the wide man dribbled into the box before setting up Sean McKinney whose shot from the edge of the box went harmlessly over the bar. Aileach’s best chance of the half came on 25 minutes when Anthony Doherty broke down the right and whipped in a dangerous low cross but Aidan Doherty got a vital touch to deny Gerard Boyle a back post goal. Shaun Coyle had earlier gone close for Illies and they took the lead on 29 minutes from a likely source. They won a free in the centre circle and Niall McDaid drifted into the box and rose unmarked to head Dominic Coyle’s free kick into the net.

Having taken the lead, Illies fell back and invited Aileach onto them. Damian Barr hit wide after a scramble in the box, while Gerard Boyle’s attempt from an overhead kick also went wide. Barr drew a fine one-handed save from Noel McDermott on the stroke of half-time but it was the visitors who took a one goal lead into the half-time break. Aileach opened brightly in the second half, with Sean McKinney going close before they equalised through Anthony Doherty. A through ball from Ciaran Craig on the left bounced dangerously in the box, Gerard Boyle lunged at it but missed, but Shivvy was on hand to tap in from two yards.

Illies were under the cosh, and defending very deep, but caught Aileach on the break when Kieran O’Donnell knocked down a long clearance out of defence to the in rushing Shaun Coyle and the latter hammered an unstoppable shot high past Gallagher. Both keepers saw plenty of action over the final half hour, but had little to trouble them with shots invariably going straight at the men between the sticks. On 70 minutes Gerard Boyle broke into the box and shot from the right but keeper Noel McDermott got a fingertip to it to push it onto the crossbar. They went close again moments later when Barr shot straight at the keeper who needed two attempts to make the save. Illies were again defending deeply and they almost paid the price ten minutes from the end when Stephen Doherty crossed into the area. Anthony Doherty directed the ball goalwards with a glancing header but watched as the balled bounced off the post with McDermott beaten. Illies introduced Graham Doherty and Eamon McDaid late on, and while the looked dangerous on the

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