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Moville land Reserve League title 15.05.09
Inishowen Engineering Reserve League Premier Division

Moville Reserves...2
(Conor McLaughlin 60; Kevin McDermott 69)

Clonmany Reserves...2
(Rocky Ivers 80; Emlyn Doherty 83)

by Michael Stamp, Inishowen Independent, at Moville

MOVILLE claimed the Inishowen Engineering Reserve Premier Division title in a tightly fought contest on Friday night. Clonmany’s slim hopes of catching the home side in the title race seemed to be done when the home side went two goals up. However two goals in three minutes from the determined visitors set up a nervy finale. The home side held firm though and the scenes of jubilation at the final whistle were nearly as much through relief than anything else.
Knowing they had to win Clonmany came out with all guns blazing dominating possession yet not really creating many clear cut chances. An example of their early supremacy was the fact that right back Johnny McLaughlin spent most of the early going outside his own half. A ball forward from the fullback landed to Patrick Harkin however he dragged his shot wide. Kevin McCarron also had an effort but Paul White was able to force his shot wide.
On a rare foray into opposition territory Moville could consider themselves unlucky not to win a penalty after Conor Lafferty went down after a challenge from Christy Ivers. Despite the protests of the Moville players the referee waved play on.
Clonmany continued to press playing good football but Moville were improving with Conor Lafferty getting into the game more and Oran McDermott rifling off a few shots. The most dangerous of these came from a Lafferty ball across the box which McDermott made a solid connection with, but Clonmany keeper Christy Ivers pulled off an excellent save.
Even though both sides were playing good football it was obvious by the interval that the game needed a goal to open up play. Clonmany had efforts through Emlyn Doherty, Jerry McDaid and a free kick from Kevin McCarron that went just over. For Moville Conor Lafferty and Vincent Ryan both had attempts repelled by Ivers and the sides went into the break at 0-0.
Moville took the lead on the hour mark through Conor McLaughlin.
The away defence were at sixes and sevens as Kevin McDemott struck the bar and McLaughlin was more than happy to slam home the rebound.
Clonmany came back with Declan Grant forcing a great save from Paul White with a shot from outside the area, and Patrick Harkin somehow shooting over from close range after the ball landed to him from a corner. Clonmany were made to rue this miss after Moville claimed a second goal against the run of play. Sub Kevin McDermott ran through on goal and was upended by Christy Ivers, the Clonmany custodian earned a booking for his foul and McDermott earned the right to take the penalty he won. Ivers guessed the right way but McDermott’s strike was too well struck and put the home side two up and with the league title all but sown up.
At this juncture many sides would be resigned to defeat, however Clonmany weren’t willing to throw in the towel and got a goal back with ten minutes remaining. Sean Doherty swung a ball in from a tight angle which caused confusion in the Moville defence and Rocky Ivers was more than happy to profit with a tap in at the post.
If Moville were slightly surprised by Clonmany’s first goal they were positively shell-shocked by their second. Kevin McCarron’s corner was cleared only as far as Emlyn Doherty who drilled a low shot through a crowd of players into the bottom corner. This set up a tense final ten minutes for the home side as they were eager not to concede and let Clonmany back into the title race.
But Moville held firm and claimed the draw, and the point that went with it, to secure the league title.

Moville Reserves: Paul White, Michael Craig, Benny Mullan, Darren Bredin, Brendan Doherty, Gerard McGowan, Conor Lafferty, Christy McLaughlin, Vincent Ryan (Kevin McDermott), Conor McLaughlin, Oran McDermott. Subs: John Coyle, Gerard Gill, Eunan McDaid, Jason McLaughlin.

Clonmany Reserves: Christy Ivers, Johnny McLaughlin (Ciaran McLaughlin), Jerry McDaid (Aidan Doherty), Ivan Doherty, Declan Grant (Mickey Kelly), Sean Doherty, Emlyn Doherty, Dessie Doherty, Rocky Ivers, Kevin McCarron, Patrick Harkin.

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