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McGrory double ends Redcastle jinx 14.08.08
Redcastle lift Seamus Pat McLaughlin Cup

Redcastle...3
(Andy Porter, Ciaran McGrory 2)

Moville...0


by Michael Stamp, Inishowen Independent

THE Olympic Games opened on Friday in Beijing with an amazing pyrotechnics display. For those who didn’t make it to China there were fireworks of a different kind in Greencastle on Friday when Moville and Redcastle met in the final of the Seamus Pat McLaughlin Memorial Cup. Usually preseason affairs are either one sided annihilations or tedious no risk affairs. This game was totally different with both teams throwing themselves into challenges and running themselves into the ground to win. However this should come as no surprise to anyone who knows of the rivalry between these two teams. Extra spice was added to the occasion by the fact that not only had Moville won this cup last year beating Redcastle in the final they had also beaten Redcastle earlier in this years competition.
Redcastle obviously had revenge in mind and almost took the lead through Brian Tracey but Michael Brown held his half volley. Tracey was at the centre of attention again moments later earning a penalty after being taken down in the area by Brown. Andy Porter stepped up and buried the kick giving Redcastle a dream start. Porter slung in a free kick just after this but nobody was there to connect with it. Moville came back with Ryan McMonagle having a half volley held by Gerard Crossan, Joe Doherty having a shot deflected away and Declan McGuinness poking just wide after being teed up by Ryan McMonagle.
Despite this pressure Redcastle almost doubled their lead when Martin Farren was inches away from connecting with Raymond Campbell’s cross. Moville came back with Nigel McMonagle having an effort that skidded just past the post. Moville were competing manfully but their final ball was often lacking. One great chance they did have was when Gordon Martin headed just over from a corner.
Moville had the better of the early second half with Ryan McMonagle shooting just over from a throw in and Gavin Doherty floating in a free kick which Gerard Crossan had to claim. Redcastle came back with Colm McLaughlin firing over from just outside the area. Redcastle are a much changed side from last year and at times it showed with some of the passing going awry, their work rate and commitment on the other hand couldn’t be faulted.
The game effectively ended as a contest on 74 minutes when Redcastle scored a third. A long ball out of defence found Ciaran McGrory who scored with a good finish past Michael Brown. Ironically some of Moville’s best football came after this goal with their passing increasing greatly in accuracy. Redcastle had further chances to add to their lead with a Cathal Faulkner header being saved by Brown and Brendan Murphy having a shot cleared off the line.
Three was enough however and Redcastle will no doubt just be pleased to have ended their string of cup final defeats. Even though they lost Moville can also take heart from a good display. With Clonmany, QPS and maybe a few others in the mix the race for this years Premier League title could be one of the closest yet.

Redcastle: Gerard Crossan, Liam Davenport, Steven Grant (Mickey Devlin), Martin Farren, Cathal Faulkner, Raymond Campbell, Colm McLaughlin, Paul Cooley, Ciaran McGrory (Brendan Murphy), Brian Tracey, Andy Porter (Sean Curran)

Moville: Michael Brown, Colin Doherty (Eunan McDaid), Mark Henry, Gavin Doherty, Gordon Martin (Kevin McDermott), Ryan McMonagle (Tony McGeady), PJ Barr, Shane Canning, Joe Doherty, Nigel McMonagle, Declan McGuinness (Christy McGeoghan), Sub, Sean McGuinness

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