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Moville lifts Reserve League
Shield
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MOVILLE CELTIC
RESERVES...2 CLONMANY RESERVES...1 by Inishowen Independent On an absolutely terrible night in Caratra Park the Reserve League Shield went to Moville Celtic. Yet the bigger story was the weather which very nearly led to the game being abandoned in the 52nd minute when a vicious hail shower led to both sides seeking temporary shelter. The continued hail combined with ferocious wind made playing good football impossible for both sides meaning accurate passing and shooting was in short supply. The game was expected to be a tight affair with both teams performing well in the Inishowen Engineering Reserve League Premier Division. Clonmany top the table and have a very impressive league record of eight wins and two draws from their ten outings. Moville are also going well and can get near Shamrocks if they win their games in hand. Clonmany were the favourites for the game due to their experience edge with players such as Michael and Karl Harkin who have experience of being in finals and winning them along with the youth of Aiden and Dessie Doherty. Eunan McDaid’s Moville also have experienced players such as John L Coyle and Kevin McDermott leading younger members like Conor McLaughlin and Michael Fiorentini. |
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The omens seemed to favour
Clonmany as their senior team reached the finals of the
Buncrana Credit Union Cup earlier in the day defeating
Moville’s senior team. Moville dominated the early
exchanges with Tony McGeady sending in a dangerous ball
that Patrick Harkin had to fist away. Moville’s best
chance of breaking the deadlock seemed to be from set
pieces and Jimmy Lafferty almost curled a corner into
the top corner moments later. Lafferty was a constant
threat to the Clonmany defence and had a shot go just
over soon afterwards. Moville were threatening and broke the deadlock after 14 minutes, unsurprisingly from a corner. Lafferty took the set piece once again and after a goalmouth scramble Celtic’s captain Kevin McDermott managed to poke home. Lafferty almost managed to add a second with a long range shot which Patrick Harkin managed to hold. Going behind seemed to invigorate Shamrocks who were more involved in the game after conceding. Their first effort of note was a shot from Emlyn Doherty that went over. Kieran McLaughlin headed wide soon afterwards. Moville were still dangerous however and Lafferty went on a good run but when he pulled the ball back none of his teammates were there to take advantage. Tony McGeady sent a good ball forward to Christy McGeoghan whose shot was saved well by Patrick Harkin. Harkin was forced into another good save from a Lafferty corner. With all this pressure a second Moville goal seemed inevitable and when it arrived it came from – what else – a corner. Lafferty’s ball in was headed in at the far post by Conor McLaughlin. Lafferty was unlucky again soon after the goal when his shot whistled just wide. Clonmany’s only other effort of note in the first half came with a turn and shot from Kevin McCarron that was easy for Sean McGuinness to gather. The game was very nearly ended after seven minutes of the second half due to the aforementioned weather conditions. When play resumed Clonmany were much improved and had a Mickey Harkin shot well saved by McGuinness. Clonmany were going forward a lot more in the second half and almost got the goal they deserved when Aiden Doherty had a header tipped over by McGuinness. Shamrocks pulled a goal back from the resultant corner when substitute Stephen McLaughlin managed to put the ball into the top corner direct from the set piece, the assist could be given to the wind. With a precious one goal advantage Moville did everything they could to slow the game down but still had a few chances. A free in from Lafferty was a danger for the Shamrocks defence but they managed to clear it. An equaliser almost came when Karl Harkin headed just wide from a Declan Grant cross. Clonmany were nearly caught on the break when Lafferty ran forward but his shot went the wrong side of the post. For the last quarter of an hour Clonmany held the advantage however a combination of the weather and resolute Moville defending meant that chances were scarce. Substitute Gearoid Doherty went on a great run and very nearly managed to tee up Kevin McCarron but McGuinness did well to come out and claim the ball. The closing moments seemed to last forever for the Moville bench but when the whistle went the joy on the faces of Eunan McDaid and his charges was plain for all to see. For veterans like man of the match John L Coyle and Jimmy Lafferty receiving the cup from Inishowen League Chairman Laurence McLaughlin must have been particularly sweet. Credit must also go to Ivan Doherty and his team who took the defeat with dignity and good grace. They also even gave this reporter a lift home and presented him with a towel. Unfortunately our photographer wasn’t there to record that presentation! For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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