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Horror leg-break overshadows cup
tie
22.09.11
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Rashenny...3 Dunkineely Celtic...1 Caoimhinn Barr reports from Trawbreaga Park (Photo: Herbie Barr) A KEENLY contested FAI Junior Cup clash between Rashenny and Dunkineely Celtic yesterday afternoon was overshadowed by a horrific injury to visiting defender Eoin Gallagher, who sustained a broken leg just before the hour mark with the teams level at 1-1. After overrunning the ball in defence Gallagher made a desperate attempt to regain possession and clashed with Rashenny attacker Anthony Doherty (John Eddie) before collapsing in agony. Following the 50/50 challenge Doherty also remained stricken on the ground with a painful leg injury. Both men lay covered by blankets as a concerned crowd gathered on the field of play. A long delay ensued as referee Terence Moyne stopped the game while an ambulance was summoned from nearby Carndonagh. Paramedics removed injured defender Gallagher on a stretcher from the pitch while Doherty was helped off by team-mates after being examined by medics. |
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A round of applause rang
out at Trawbreaga Park as the Dunkineely player was
lifted into the back of the ambulance. Manager Willie
Mackey accompanied his injured player to Letterkenny
General Hospital with play resuming some forty minutes
or so later. Both sets of players seemed to be affected by the unfortunate incident with neither group fashioning much in the way of chances for the remainder of the ninety minutes before two extra-time goals from Rashenny’s Darren Grant and Christy Ivers ensured victory for the Isle of Doagh club. Settling the quicker of the two teams on a blustery afternoon, Rashenny launched the game’s first threat on goal after ten minutes when Emlyn Doherty’s shot from distance was comfortably gathered by Dunkineely keeper John McMullan after good work on the right by Anthony Doherty (MJ) and Kieran Friel. |
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Moments later Sean Toland
fired over after collecting Friel’s touch as the
Inishowen men kept the early pressure on. With Fergal Heena dropping deeper to pick up possession in the final third, Dunkineely grew into the contest and almost drew first blood when the talented striker’s free-kick was beaten away by Rashenny stopper Damien Doherty, who had been bizarrely penalised for taking a goal kick outside his area. Soon after Dunkineely duo Dermot Gallier and Alastair Rodgers were threatening on the right before home full-back Emlyn Doherty was quickly across to clear the danger. Pauric McIntyre then carved out an opening for Fergal Heena but the Dunkineely man skewed his effort off target before Paddy Nelson completed the clearance. With ten minutes remaining in the first-half the home side took the first significant step towards the next round when John Doherty’s left-footed free-kick from the right deceived everyone in the Dunkineely area and crept past John McMullan for the opening goal after Damien Friel was upended. The goal caused consternation in the visitors’ rearguard with several players wrongly assuming the free to be indirect. Almost levelling immediately, Celtic’s Paul McFadden was unlucky to see his effort roll inches wide with keeper Doherty beaten after Heena’s defelected shot from the edge of the area. The Inishowen men then had two further chances to go in at the break with their tails well and truly up but first Anthony Doherty (JE) and then Kieran Friel were off-target with good opportunities. Beginning the second period in confident tune, Dunkineely were on the front foot when Heena fired wide before, less than ten minutes in, full-back Paul McGeoghan equalised. Gathering the ball on the left, the 44-year-old defender burst forward before unleashing a stunning shot which dipped over Damien Doherty into the home goal from all of thirty yards. Two minutes later an injury to Eoin Gallagher led to a long delay before the player was removed to Letterkenny Hospital. With a little over twenty minutes to go Aiden Duddy powered a header wide before Dunkineely keeper John McMullan saved well from Kieran Friel at the other end. Rashenny substitute Shaun Doherty was then unlucky with two quick-fire efforts from corners; the first, a header, was expertly saved by John McMullan while the second, a half-volley, clipped the Dunkineely crossbar. Visiting striker Ryan Mackey then drew a smart stop from home keeper Doherty before John McLaughlin could have won it at the end of ninety minutes but Dunkineely keeper McMullan saved well. A goal in each period of half-time then saw Rashenny run out deserving winners. A spectacular strike by Darren Grant gave John Doherty’s men the lead before substitute Christy Ivers smashed home to guarantee a trip to Monaghan in the next round. Rashenny: Damien Doherty, Emlyn Doherty, Ryan Davenport, Paddy Nelson, Darren Grant, Sean Toland, Damien Friel, Anthony Doherty (JE), Kieran Friel, Anthony Doherty (MJ), John McLaughlin. Subs: Christy Ivers, Shaun Doherty, Peter Doherty. Dunkineely Celtic: John McMullan, Dermot Gallier, Paul McGeoghan, Eoin Gallagher, Aiden Duddy, Jason Armstrong, Paul McFadden, Alastair Rodgers, Ryan Mackey, Pauric McIntyre, Fergal Heena. Sub: William Young. Man of Match Both Friels, Kieran and Damien, were prominent throughout for the home team while Paul McGeoghan and Jason Armstrong got the eye on a weakened Dunkineely lineup. The award goes to Rashenny’s Darren Grant, who starred in defence before reverting to midfield and firing home the game’s key goal in extra-time. Ref Watch Referee Terence Moyne had a fine game in the middle. Let things flow as much as possible and was consistent throughout. Made one very strange call in the first-half penalising home keeper Damien Doherty for allegedly carrying the ball outside the box during a kick-out. Key Moment The injury to Eoin Gallagher completely overshadowed what had been a pretty entertaining contest. Understandably both sets of players were tentative following the horrific injury and the game petered out before goals from Grant and Ivers roused the home followers. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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