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Slick Sligo too good for Cockhill
03.05.11
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Cockhill Celtic...0 Sligo Rovers...4 (Ndo, Doyle, Cretaro, Horgan) Caoimhinn Barr reports from Maginn Park (Photo: Evan Logan) COCKHILL Celtic were brought crashing back to earth at Maginn Park on Monday night when Sligo Rovers crushed their League Cup hopes with a comfortable 4-0 victory. An early goal by Joseph Ndo added to second-half strikes by Eoin Doyle, Raffaele Cretaro and Daryl Horgan ensured safe passage into the quarter-finals for Paul Cook’s men, who outclassed their Inishowen opponents throughout. Never really in the game and behind within fifteen minutes, Cockhill had a number of admirable performers, including William O’Connor, William McLaughlin and Malachy McDermott, but were left chasing possession against a slick Sligo outfit which kept the ball for fun. With veteran Joseph Ndo and John Russell pulling the strings in midfield, full-strength Sligo Rovers launched wave after wave of attack and could have won by a much wider margin had they been more clincial in front of goal. Second-half goalscorer Doyle missed three clear first-half chances while Alan Kane and Cretaro both struck the crossbar with fine efforts. |
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Unable to reproduce their
giant killing heroics after defeating Galway in the last
round, Cockhill just couldn’t cope with Sligo’s clever
moment and superior fitness levels. Terryland goal hero Paul McKinney was often isolated in attack while Mark Moran battled manfully but had little chance of gaining aerial possession against towering Sligo defender Jason McGuinness. Roared on by a huge following, with representatives from clubs all over Inishowen, Cockhill Celtic players gave their all on a warm Buncrana evening but the gulf in class between the two teams was quickly evident. |
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Within two minutes Sligo
were threatening on the left when Iarfhlaith Davoren’s
cross was fired wide of Stephen Conroy’s goal by John
Dillon. A scintillating Sligo move involving Dillon, John Russell and Joseph Ndo ended when Alan Keane’s effort crashed off the Cockhill crossbar. The home goal continued to lead a charmed life with Dillon having two more good chances blocked before Cockhill midfielder James Bradley saw a smart volley saved by Brendan Clarke at the other end. A quarter of an hour in, Sligo dominance paid off when Joseph Ndo stroked them into the lead after collecting John Dillon’s pass following Eoin Doyle’s searching cross. Cockhill keeper Conroy got a hand to Ndo’s effort but couldn’t prevent it from crossing the line. Moments later Eoin Doyle should have doubled Sligo’s advantage but the lively frontman headed wide under no pressure following Alan Keane’s pinpoint delivery. Iarfhlaith Davoren’s low drive was then unwittingly blocked by Sligo team-mate Eoin Doyle before Doyle’s run and cross led to John Russell heading inches over the bar. Continuing to press, Sligo’s Russell had another effort blocked behind before Alan Keane set his sights too high with a whistling drive. With the Cockhill players sucking wind and John McElroy off injured, another fine Sligo move almost brought a second goal but Eoin Doyle was off target with a header from six yards after excellent work by Danny Ventre, John Dillon and Alan Keane. Towards the closing stages of the first-half Doyle spurned another fantastic opportunity, glancing Keane’s cross wide before John Russell’s weak effort was easily saved by Cockhill’s Conroy. More clinical in the second-half, Sligo were two ahead within minutes when Doyle finally made a telling contribution with his head; expertly guiding home John Dillon’s cross from the right. Dillon then blazed a great chance over the bar while John Russell drove narrowly wide from distance. Stemming the tide somewhat, Cockhill forced a corner after Paul McKinney’s shot was blocked following Mark Moran’s through ball. James Bradley then earned another corner for Donal O’Brien’s charges before Sligo almost made it three. Joseph Ndo danced past Cockhill substitute Derek Doherty on the left before laying off to Sligo sub Mark McGoldrick, who hit the bar with a fantastic effort from the edge of the area. A Gerry Gill short corner saw Malachy McDermott drive wide before Sligo wrapped up an impressive win with ten minutes remaining; Raffaele Cretaro firing home from a free-kick he won himself five yards outside the box. The small band of 40 Sligo fans were celebrating again when the Reds capped an impressive display with another late strike; substitute Daryl Horgan turning home Matthew Blinkhorn’s perfect cross from the left. After their cup heroics it is back to the bread and butter this weekend as Cockhill begin the defence of their Ulster Senior League title with a home game against Killea on Sunday afternoon. Cockhill Celtic: Stephen Conroy, Kieran McLaughlin, William McLaughlin, John McElroy, William O’Connor, Malachy McDermott, Liam O’Donnell, James Bradley, Paul McKinney, Mark Moran, Gerry Gill. Subs: Conor Gallagher, Aidan O’Donnell, Derek Doherty, Michael O’Connor, Peter Doherty, Alan Fletcher, Shane Galvin. Sligo Rovers: Brendan Clarke, Alan Keane, Iarfhlaith Davoren, Jason McGuinness, Gavin Peers, Danny Ventre, Joseph Ndo, John Dillon, John Russell, Raffaele Cretaro, Eoin Doyle. Subs: Ciaran Kelly, Daryl Horgan, Derek Foran, Alan Kirby, Matthew Blinkhorn, Mark McGoldrick, Aaron Greene. Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Burnfoot) AT A GLANCE Man of the Match Joseph Ndo controlled proceedings from midfield. Scored the all-important opening goal and was at the heart of most Sligo attacks before sitting deeper late on. For Cockhill William O’Connor and Malachy McDermott stood out. Turning Point Eoin Doyle’s goal early in the second-half put paid to any lingering Cockhill hopes of repeating their Galway heroics. In a game dominated by Sligo from the first whistle it is impossible to point to one turning point. Perfect Night It was great to see so many football fans from Inishowen out to support Cockhill on a beautiful Bank Holiday Monday evening. The Maginn Park pitch was in perfect condition for an exhibition by the best footballing team in Ireland. Cockhill Celtic All at the club deserve great credit for the way Monday’s big match was handled. Admission prices were fair and the crowd was handled perfectly, with ample parking and tea and sandwiches to boot! For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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