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Clonmany’s class shines through
23.03.11
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Aileach...1 (Craig) Clonmany Shamrocks...2 (J. Devlin, B. Devlin) by Caoimhinn Barr at Lakeside (Photo: Evan Logan) CLONMANY Shamrocks are potentially one game away from winning the Premier Division crown for the first time in three years after an impressive victory over Aileach last Sunday afternoon. Superb strikes by Devlin brothers, Philip and Brendan, either side of half-time secured three vital points and a 2-1 win over the Lakeside men, who replied with a Ciaran Craig penalty. Inspired by Liam Hirrell in defence, classy Paul McLaughlin on the wing and veteran Brendan Devlin in attack, Clonmany survived a couple of shaky first-half moments before finding their groove in the second period. Clearly the elite football club in Inishowen this year, Shaun Devlin’s men had goalkeeper Peter Devlin to thank for three stunning stops before cruising to victory, restricting Aileach to a single half-chance in the second period. Playing in the shadow of Inishowen’s most iconic landmark at An Grianan, Aileach have failed to turn their new home into a fortress, slumping to a number of disappointing defeats this season. |
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When he took charge at
Aileach Brian Bell would have hoped that games against
Clonmany be billed as title deciders but there was only
one team with designs on that prize on Sunday. And while Bell could not have been expected to land a coveted championship in his first season in charge at Inch, he will have hoped to be in the title shake-up. His team though are some distance behind elite standard setters Clonmany. While Aileach players often turned on each other as recriminations raged Clonmany quietly went about their business of earning three points, an art they have honed to perfection this season. Brendan Devlin and Alan Friel forced an early corner off Aileach defender Dermot McGlynn before Devlin saw a stinging drive blocked. |
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Aileach keeper Gerard
Crossan was at full stretch to tip over a dipping
Brendan Devlin cross before Paddy Doherty robbed Damien
Barr with Crossan coming to the rescue again. Frontman Alan Friel then laid the ball into the path of Raymond McDaid, who volleyed over from 20 yards as Clonmany continued to dominate. Expertly finding space time and again, Brendan Devlin controlled Alan Friel’s cross before firing wide from a tight angle before Raymond McDaid carved out an opening for Friel, who set his sights too high from distance. With their first clear cut chance of the match Aileach should have opened the scoring but Clonmany keeper Peter Devlin made a superb point blank save to deny Aileach midfielder Dermot Doherty. Paying the price for that miss Aileach fell behind two minutes later when Jason Devlin ghosted onto the end of Paul McLaughlin’s free-kick to volley in off the post from an acute angle. Jason and Brendan Devlin led a quick Clonmany break soon after with Alan Friel firing off target. Paul McLaughlin saw his header saved by Crossan before Aileach launched a lightning break which should have produced a levelling goal. Charlie McCormick held off the attentions of his marker before sliding a perfect pass through for Anthony Doherty who blasted straight at Peter Devlin from eight yards. A constant threat all afternoon, Brendan Devlin saw his shot blocked after his brother Jason seized on a poor back pass. With the opening period drawing to a close Aileach were back on terms. Philip Devlin bundled over Anthony Doherty in the box following a corner and referee Tom McAree had no hesitation in pointing to the spot before Ciaran Craig drilled his team level. The home side could well have gone in ahead but Craig’s volley was brilliantly parried by Devlin following Charlie McCormick’s cross; Anthony Doherty put the rebound wide under pressue. The second-half belonged to champions-elect Clonmany, the Shamrocks dominating midfield before carving out a series of openings as Aileach’s challenge faded poorly. Less than five minutes in and Clonmany restored their advantage with a stunning team goal, which had the Aileach defence chasing shadows. Getting on the end of a long pass by Mark McLaughlin, striker Brendan Devlin flicked on to his brother Jason to cross for Paul McLaughlin, who cushioned the ball back into the path of Brendan to arrow a stike past a wrong-footed Crossan from sixteen yards. Right back Mark McLaughlin then found Paul McLaughlin, whose goalbound effort was tipped over superbly by Aileach stopper Crossan. An Alan Friel snap shot then whistled over Crossan’s bar before Jason Devlin’s volley did the same as Clonmany continued to dominate. Defender Kevin Harkin could have done better with a free header from Paul McLaughlin’s delivery before Paddy Doherty launched a right foot effort too high from 25 yards. Tricky winger Jason Devlin then embarked on a scintillating solo run beating three men and hitting the side net from a tight angle before the same player clipped wide following a Brendan Devlin break. Aileach can point to a Sean Friars strike ruled out for offside with ten minutes remaining but Bell’s men can have no complaints about the game’s outcome, which rarely looked in doubt. The Inch men have a cup final to look forward to against Redcastle tomorrow night (Friday) while Clonmany look certain set to regain the Premier title next month. Aileach: Gerard Crossan, Dermot McGlynn, Declan O’Donnell, James Gillespie, Damien Barr, Jimmy Gallagher, Dermot Doherty, Marty Donaghey, Charlie McCormick, Anthony Doherty, Ciaran Craig. Subs: Gavin Doherty, Ruairi Bradley, Stephen Doherty, Sean Friars, Paul McHugh. Clonmany Shamrocks: Peter Devlin, Mark McLaughlin, Liam Hirrell, Kevin Harkin, Philip Devlin, Raymond McDaid, Jason Devlin, Paddy Doherty, Brendan Devlin, Paul McLaughlin, Alan Friel. Subs: Greg Bradley, Michael Devlin, Steve Harkin, Jamie Coyle, Jason Doherty, Kevin McLaughlin. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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