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Aileach rue litany of missed chances 30.09.09
Reserve League Shield

Aileach...1
(Murray 10 mins)

Clonmany...3
(D. Doherty 49 mins, A. Doherty 75 mins, 79mins)

by Liam Porter, Inishowen Independent, at Aileach

A STUNNING strike from Clonmany’s Aidan Doherty made sure of all three points for Clonmany against Aileach on Sunday morning, but the home side will surely be wondering how they found themselves on the end of what was, in the end, a comprehensive defeat.
The first half it was all Aileach. In fact the home side could have easily gone in at the break ahead by four or five goals and Clonmany who looked out of sorts never even managed a real chance of note until the stroke of half-time.
But it was a different story in the second half and once Dessie Doherty had pulled the teams level with a long-range strike, the visitors took control of the game and eventually ground the home side into submission.
It had only taken three minutes for Aileach to make their mark on the game, impressive full-back Gavin Doherty who had an excellent game, firing in a cross cum shot that flew just inches past the top corner.
A minute later Christy Murray rattled a shot goalward after a good move down the left had carved Clonmany open, but the shot was blocked by a defender and went for a corner.
Shane Kerrigan split Clonmany open again in the 6th minute with a pass for Derek Gallagher, but his right foot effort again went agonisingly across the face of the goal and wide.
A minute later Murray ghosted into the Clonmany box unmarked, but failed to connect with an excellent cross with the goal at his mercy and the visitors were off the hook again.
Eventually though the resistance was broken
and in the 10th minute Murray got the reward for a bright start with a well taken goal poked past the advancing Christy Ivers.
And it continued to be all Aileach. Conor Gallagher’s long-range shot produced a comfortable save for Ivers, while Ryan Donnelly clipped an effort just wide in the 21st minute as the home side once again breached the visiting defence.
The best Clonmany could muster in reply was a shot on the turn from Jamie Coyle on the stroke of half time that forced Jamie McGowan into a great save.
It was a sign of what was to follow in the second half and only four minutes had elapsed after the break before Dessie Doherty’s long-range strike flew past McGowan to level the game.
Aileach looked as if they would regain the lead again three minutes later when Derek Gallagher found Gerard Arbuckle at the back post with an excellent cross, but his control took the ball across the face of the goal and the danger was cleared for a corner before he could get the ball turned into the net.
It was the best chance Aileach had in the second half and they were made to pay for the litany of missed opportunities when Derek Doherty rose unmarked to head home from a corner in the 76th minute to give Clonmany the lead.
He put the icing on the cake four minutes later with a fierce dipping shot that flew over McGowan, and even though Aileach hit the bar late on with an effort from Murray, they’ll know it was the chances spurned in the first half that cost them this game.

Aileach: Jamie McGowan, Gavin Doherty, Mervin McGowan, Gregory Doherty, Mark McLaughlin, Christy Murray, Ryan Donnelly, Dermott McGlynn, Derek Gallagher, Conor Gallagher, Shane Kerraghan. Subs Sean McKay for McGlynn (30 mins); Gerard Arbuckle for Kerrigan (50 mins).

Clonmany: Christy Ivers, Daniel McLaughlin, Jonathan McLaughlin, Dean McDaid, James Cook, Aidan Doherty, Liam McCarron, Dessie Doherty, Carl Harkin, Jamie Coyle, Kevin McCarron.

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