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Dunree, Carn draw a blank 22.04.10
Strand Hotel First Division

Dunree United...0

Carndonagh...0

by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent (Photo: Herbie Barr)

DUNREE and Carn played out an entertaining scoreless draw by the banks of the Swilly last Sunday afternoon.
Both teams will feel they blew the opportunity to gain ground in the promotion push though a draw may ultimatley help the home side more than the visitors.
Stephen Doherty’s Dunree charges created a number of chances, particularly in the second period, and looked the more threatening throughout but Carn can point towards two half-decent penalty claims, both of which were waived away by referee Charlie Doherty.
In a tempestuous affair, with the prize of Premier League promotion very much in the players’ minds, much of the battles were consigned to midfield, with Dunree’s Liam Baldrick facing up to Carn playmaker Darren Loftus.
Dermot Coyle’s visitors started the brighter on a breezy day in Dunree. In fact the Carn men fired their first shot in anger in the opening minute when Andrew Doherty tested Johnny Noone’s reactions in the home goal.
A minute later a Darren Loftus free was headed over the top by Gerard McEleney as a strong wind propelled the Carn men into attack.
A neat flick by Cathal Doherty in the 10th minute carved out a chance for Tiernan Coyle but the young winger’s attempted lob proved no threat to the Dunree goal.
Talented Dunree wideman, Philip McGuinness, had the home team on the attack moments later but, after a blistering run in which he left two Carn defenders for dead, he wasted the chance to cross as the ball appeared to hop up off a divot.
McGuinness, who was at the heart of everything good about Dunree, expertly put Derek Murphy in midway through the first half but the number nine fired too high from 15 yards.
The same two players almost combined in the next attack but Murphy was just unable to connect with McGuinness’ cross.
Carn, who had excelled in the opening ten minutes, were increasingly relying on long range shots and passes, all of which trundled harmlessly past the Swilly-end goal.
The best chance of the half fell to the home side five minutes before the break. Liam Baldrick, Benny McDaid and Philip McGuinness combined brilliantly to set-up
Derek Murphy, who was unlucky to see his rasping effort fly just wide of Declan O’Donnell’s post.
Just before the end of the first-half the visitors almost snatched the lead only for Johnny Noone to make a great save to deny Cathal Doherty’s pinpoint chip.
Dunree began the second 45 on the front foot and should have broken the deadlock when Shane Doherty flicked the ball to set Philip McGuinness clear through on the Carn goal. The winger fluffed his lines however and poked the ball wide of the post as Carn keeper Declan O’Donnell charged out to narrow the angle.
By this stage Dunree were well on top with Philip McGuinness proving a handful for Carn right-back Patrick McGuinness, who stuck to his difficult task admirably.
An equisite flick by McGuinness almost had Derek Murphy on his way again but impressive Carn central defender, Kevin Hirrell was alive to the danger.
Dunree’s McGuinness almost bagged the goal his display deserved but was denied again by a brilliant save by Carn keeper Declan O’Donnell.
United left-back, Micky McGlynn, spurned a chance moments later, heading McGuinness’ corner wide with the goal at his mercy.
To their credit, Carn weathered the home storm and bounced back when Cathal Doherty combined with strike partner Shane Doherty to fire an effort goalward.
A strong appeal for handball in the Dunree box failed to move referee Charlie Doherty moments later with the Carn sideline baying for a penalty.
A flowing move involving Carn trio, Tiernan Coyle, Dermot Doherty and Darren Loftus, forced a corner for the visitors before the game’s biggest talking point arrived ten minutes from time.
Tiernan Coyle burst through and went to ground in the area after a collision with Dunree keeper Johnny Noone. For the second time in the game loud Carn appeals fell on deaf ears as Charlie Doherty pointed for a goal-kick.
Carn almost snatched the three points in the last minute but, unlike Paul Scholes at Eastlands the day before, substitute Brendan Tabb headed Tiernan Coyle’s cross wide.

Dunree United: Johnny Noone, Barry Nixon, Micky McGlynn, Paul Craig, Ivan Doherty, Henry Connolly, Liam Baldrick, Kevin McColgan, Derek Murphy, Benny McDaid, Philip McGuinness. Subs: Ryan Bradley, Thomas Mulhern, NJ McCarron, Damien Doherty.

Carn: Declan O’Donnell, Patrick McGuinness, Kevin Kelly, Kevin Hirrell, Gerard McEleney, Darren Loftus, Dermot Doherty, Andrew Doherty, Cathal Doherty, Shane Doherty, Tiernan Coyle. Subs: Fergal Doherty, Ronan Doherty, Brendan Tabb, Liam Doherty, Ritchie Cunningham, Niall McGuinness.

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