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Late show puts Carrowmena through 18.11.09
FAI Junior Cup

Carrowmena...3
(James Henry 27; Gerard Gill 29; Matthew Henry 95)

Gleneely...2
(John Paul Lafferty 32; Ronan Kearney 91)

by Michael Stamp, Inishowen Independent, at The Warren

AFTER defeating Gleneely soundly earlier in the season, Carrowmena approached this game filled with confidence that a victory would follow. It duly did, but the home side was made to graft for it by a gritty Gleneely team that fought them at every ball.
Carrowmena produced a minor shock in the last round beating Clonmany on their own turf and Gleneely defeated Ramelton to get this far. Carrowmena had the edge in class but were nearly punished for their profligacy in front of goal when a late Ronan Kearney equaliser almost forced extra time. However a controversial Matthew Henry goal five minutes into injury time ensured that Carrowmena would be in the hat for the next round.
The opening quarter of an hour was all Carrowmena and the home side almost took the lead after two minutes. Matthew Henry hit a lovely strike from just outside the area that hit the bar and gave Gleneely an indication of what they were going to have to withstand. Gerard Gill came close soon afterwards, shooting just wide after Daniel Nolan dawdled on the ball. Carrowmena were pressing and Daniel McCauley was forced to make a great save from Gerard Gill from a James Gillen ball. Matthew Henry had an excellent chance to score moments later but scuffed his shot. James Henry showed some nice skill turning his marker but his shot sailed over.
Carrowmena were rewarded for their endeavour on 27 minutes when they took the lead. The Gleneely defence was committed and James Henry managed to chip Daniel McCauley to give the home side a deserved lead. McCauley had to pick the ball out of the net again a mere two minutes later when a nice finish from Gerard Gill left him rooted to the spot.
At two goals up Carrowmena got complacent and Gleneely pulled a goal back. Michael Noone’s loose kick was seized on by Christy Smith who did well to lay it off to John Paul Lafferty who chipped the back-pedalling Noone. The goal rattled Carrowmena a little and let Gleneely impose themselves on the game. Carrowmena had the last real chance of the half when Gill earned a free kick on the edge of the area from Ruairí Kelly. McCauley had to be sharp to keep out the resultant kick from Matthew Henry.
Gleneely almost drew level minutes into the second half when Kelly hooked over in a sea of bodies from a corner. This was as good as it got for Gleneely early in the half as the home side were dominating. McCauley had to punch away a free from Paul McGowan and take a low free kick from Paul Duffy. Carrowmena could consider themselves very unlucky not to take the lead when Matthew Henry hit the post after losing his marker. McCauley was called into action again having to acrobatically save an Andrew McLaughlin free kick and Matthew Henry almost got the home side their third goal when his shot hit the roof of the net after a poor kick out from McCauley.
For all their chances the home side couldn’t find a third goal that would have killed the game off. This gave Gleneely hope and they almost drew level when Christy Smith shot just wide after the Carrowmena defence failed to clear their lines. The product of the Gleneely youth system played well and could have a bright future in the game.
With the clock past 90 minutes Gleneely got a somewhat undeserved equaliser. Emmet McConway sent in a corner that caused panic in the Carrowmena backline and Ronan Kearney was there to slam home. Carrowmena only had themselves to blame as they had failed to take advantage of their superiority in possession. Matthew Henry found himself one-on-one with McCauley just after the goal but the Gleneely custodian pulled off a terrific save.
The game looked destined for extra time but Matthew Henry claimed a controversial winner for the home side. Henry looked to be offside from a long ball out of defence but kept playing beating two defenders and chipping over the helpless McCauley to put Carrowmena through to the next round. The Gleneely spectators were incensed, however Carrowmena had done enough to win the match but must do better if they hope to progress past the next round.
Carrowmena: Michael Noone, Andrew McLaughlin, John Paul Thompson, James Gillen, Michael O’Doherty, Paul Duffy, James Henry, Dermot Harkin, Paul McGowan, Matthew Henry, Gerard Gill. Subs: Niall McColgan, John McDermott, Ryan Killen

Gleneely Colts: Daniel McCauley, Stephen McLaughlin, Eddie McNamee, Daniel Nolan (Barry Kearney), Barry Diver, Emmet McConway, Ruairí Kelly, Jason McElhinney (John Doherty), John Paul Lafferty (Adrian Duffy), Christy Smith, Ronan Kearney.

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