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Shivvy hits winner for Aileach 16.12.09
 Jackie Crossan Premier Division

Buncrana Hearts Reserves...1
(O’Flaherty ’19)

Aileach...2
(Boyle ’65; A. Doherty ’89)

by Damian Dowds, Inishowen Independent, at Maginn Park

AILEACH came from behind to take all three points in this competitive Premier Division clash under Maginn’s floodlights on Saturday night. Pauric Óg O’Flaherty gave Buncrana the lead with a cracking strike on 20 minutes and they held a 1-0 advantage at the interval. But Aileach were on top for most of the second half, with former Buncrana Hearts striker Gerard Boyle drawing them level with a tap in just after the hour. Buncrana defended desperately, but Aileach’s overwhelming pressure finally told in the 89th minute when Anthony Doherty kept his head and his feet to pounce on a loose ball in the Hearts’ box and stab it home from close range.
The game started some 20 minutes late with a road traffic collision closing the road at Fahan and the Aileach players getting caught in the ensuing traffic hold ups on the back road diversions. Indeed, manager Darren McDermott was forced to make a change in his starting XI with Stephen Doherty starting in place of Martin Donaghey who didn’t arrive until after kick-off.
Buncrana made the most of their opponents’ ill-preparedness and started the better, with Greg Bradley going close early on and Patrick McMyler twice going close with a free kick from outside the D in the fifth minute and a long range shot that went 12 inches over the bar ten minutes later.
Aileach were on the backfoot and went behind on 20 minutes when Greg Bradley intercepted a short pass out of defence. Bradley’s shot was charged down by Cathal McElhinney, but the ball fell perfectly to Pauric Óg O’Flaherty and he slammed the ball to the roof of the net for a fine finish that gave Aileach keeper Ciaran Gallagher no chance.
But having gone one ahead, Buncrana almost coughed up the equaliser immediately when a short ball played out by keeper Rory Kelly was intercepted by Ciaran Craig. He raced into the box, but his dangerous, low cross was put out for a corner.
On 28 minutes Anthony Doherty – who Aileach struggled to make good use of for most of the game – and Gerard Boyle swept the ball across the 18 yard line to Enda McDermott and the midfielder drew a fine save at the expense of a corner from Kelly who got his fingertips to it.
At the other end, Michael Caldwell headed narrowly over after climbing highest to meet a Patrick McMyler free kick from the half way line.
A nasty clash of heads with Gerard Boyle saw Neil McElhinney leave the pitch just before half time with a bloody gash on his forehead, but he returned for the second half with a rugby style head bandage, which fitted in nicely alongside ’keeper Gallagher’s bandana.
The introduction of Martin Donaghey in place of Stephen Doherty, who had picked up a knock, started to tell in the second half as Buncrana’s young midfield were muscled out of it. Kieran McDaid impressed in flashes, while Henry Forshaw and McMyler also did well, but their team came under growing pressure as the game wore on as Aileach’s superior strength and fitness levels began to tell.
Rory Kelly did well to get down and save from Craig within three minutes of the restart. Paul McHugh should have drawn Aileach level on 63 minutes. He picked up a Buncrana clearance on the half way line, and with the home defence trying to come out to catch the Aileach strikers offside, they allowed McHugh free passage into the danger area but he shot straight at the keeper who parried and then saved Enda McDermott’s follow up.
Aileach’s pressure finally told in the 65th minute when Ciaran Craig fired in a low cross from the left to give Gerard Boyle a relatively simply tap in at the back post.
Aileach maintained their pressure with Enda McDermott and Anthony Shivvy going close in the 72nd and 76th minutes respectively.
Buncrana were mostly hemmed into their own half, but they had a good chance on 78 minutes when Kieran McDaid’s chip shot from the edge of the area looked to be going in, but Gallagher was able to get his right hand to it and collected it at the second attempt.
Aileach missed another handful of chances before snatching the winner in the 89th minute. Buncrana were defending from deep but couldn’t clear the ball out of their penalty area. With bodies falling everywhere and players sprawling, Anthony Shivvy kept his feet and found the back of the net from close range past the despairing Rory Kelly.
Buncrana had no chance to respond and it was Aileach who moved up to fifth in the league table while Buncrana remain rooted to the bottom.
Buncrana Hearts Reserves: Rory Kelly; Henry Forshaw, Robbie Fullerton, Gerard Doherty, Michael Caldwell; Pádraig McMyler, Kieran McDaid, Greg Bradley, Pauric Óg O’Flaherty; Tommy Caldwell, Conor McConnell. Subs: Alan Fletcher for C. McConnell (65 mins); William Carter for H. Forshaw (77 mins).

Aileach FC: Ciaran Gallagher; Dermot Doherty, Declan O’Donnell, Cathal McElhinney, Neil McElhinney; Paul McHugh, Enda McDermott, Stephen Doherty, Ciaran Craig; Anthony Doherty, Gerard Boyle. Subs: Martin Donaghey for S. Doherty (34 mins); Conor Gallagher for D. Doherty (77 mins); Sean McKay for D. O’Donnell (90 mins).

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