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Five star Carn too good for
Ballybofey
09.12.11
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Carn FC...5 (P. McGuinness 50, 53; C. Doherty (K) 51; D. Gallagher 59, 82) Ballybofey United...0 Damian Dowds at St Patrick’s Park (Photo: Herbie Barr) FOUR goals in nine second half minutes helped Carn advance to the open draw stage of the FAI Junior Cup. Dermot Coyle’s side had failed to break down a defensive-minded Ballybofey in the first half when there was little suggestion that they would have things so much their own way in the second period. But Paddy McGuinness continued his prolific FAI Junior Cup form, hitting two goals on either side of a Cathal Doherty strike as Carn grabbed a 3-0 lead between the 50th and 53rd minutes. It was a stroll in the Park after that, with substitute Donnacha Gallagher twice finding the net to give Carn a 5-0 win going on 10-0. Their reward is a home match against Dublin’s CIE Ranch next weekend. Ballybofey made their intention clear from the start with John Gregg sweeping behind the back four. Despite their defence-first mindset, it was the visitors who created the first chance of note when Bernard McMenamin whipped in a dangerous cross but Gerard Doherty slid it to knock it off the toe of Dara Redmond. That, and a similarly dangerous cross from McMenamin on the half hour mark were the only brief raids into the Carn box that Ballybofey mounted in the first half. |
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The visitors spent most of
the first half on the back foot, with only a combination
of Damian Bradley saves, last ditch tackles and poor
Carn finishing keeping the score at 0-0 at the break. Conor Doherty ran onto a short back pass in the 12th minute and teed up Oliver McConalogue but the big striker shot over from the edge of the box, and he similarly struck high after punched Bradley clearance fell short on the half hour. Paddy McGuinness, who like Conor Doherty on the left, made hay out wide on the right twice scuffed shots in the first half, although he would atone for that in the second half. Cathal Doherty’s 40th minute shot-cum-cross might have fooled another keeper, but Bradley was equal to it and the half ended with Carn – correctly – having a penalty claim ignored by referee Eamon Doherty following a challenge on McConalogue. Cathal Kinnego drew a good save from Bradley on the restart and then the floodgates opened as Carn scored with three successive attacks. The impressive Michael Byrne, who controlled the game from central midfield, played a short corner with Conor Doherty and hit a deep cross to the back post where Gerard McEleney’s cushioned header was smacked to the net by Patrick McGuinness. |
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Carn’s second came from
another Michael Byrne corner with Cathal Doherty
slotting home from ten yards. Conor Susie capitalised on a defensive lapse and sped to the by-line before turning in a smart cross that McGuinness volleyed spectacularly to the net to make it three and easy for Carn. Whatever resistance Ballybofey had offered before that evaporated and their offside trap collapsed. Only for the heroics of the experienced John Gregg, and keeper Bradley’s willingness to come off his line, the Twin Towns side could have been on the end of an even heavier beating. Carn were almost entirely unruffled in defence. Indeed, while Bradley was incredibly busy at one end, Gerard Crossan didn’t have a single save to make – the Carn stopper had to catch a couple of efforts but he barely did enough to dirty his gloves. Brendan Tabb and Shaun McLaughlin’s defensive duties were so scant that they spent most of the game on the attack, while towering centre halves Gerard Doherty and Gerard McEleney comfortably dealt with the challenge offered by Ballybofey’s Darragh Crossan and Dara Redmond. Shaun Doherty and Michael Byrne controlled the middle, while the wide men Conor Doherty and Paddy McGuinness enjoyed acres of space. Up front, McConalogue and Cathal Doherty were well on top. 3-0 up, Conor Susie and substitute Donnacha Gallagher both drew saves from Bradley as a hail shower passed by. Carn made it 4-0 on 59 minutes when Conor Doherty cut in from the left, skipped past two tackles and teed up Gallagher who struck low and hard to the bottom right corner. Paddy McGuinness had a chance to net his hat trick – and that would have been a rarity to say the least – just after the hour when Gallagher swung a diagonal pass from left to right. McGuinness beat the offside trap and steamed goalwards, getting off a good shot that Bradley put out for a corner. Gallagher shot straight at Bradley before he made it 5-0 on 82 minutes when he and fellow sub Declan McGonigle broke the offside trap. Bradley parried Gallagher’s first attempt, but Donnacha made no mistake at the second time of asking. Conor Susie had one late chance after the Ballybofey offside trap again failed, but Gregg robbed him at the edge of the box and Carn had to be content with a 5-0 victory. CIE Ranch of Dublin’s AFL will present a much sterner test next Sunday when they are the visitors to St Patrick’s Park. Carndonagh FC: Gerard Crossan; Brendan Tabb, Gerard Doherty (K), Gerard McEleney, Shaun McLaughlin; Paddy McGuinness (Declan McGonigle 74 mins), Shaun Doherty (Donnacha Gallagher 56 mins), Michael Byrne, Conor Doherty (S); Oliver McConalogue (Caomhan Canny 82 mins), Cathal Doherty (K). Subs not used: Michael Toland, Ronan Doherty. Ballybofey United: Damian Bradley; Alan Patton, Packie Gallen, John Gregg, Gavin Doherty, Bernard McMenamin; Michael Lynch, Benny Kyle, Kevin Melaugh; Dara Redmond, Darragh Crossan (Adrian Lock 83 mins). Referee: Eamonn Doherty. Man-of-the-match Carn were so far on top of their opponents and had so many standout players that choosing man-of-the-match was difficult. Michael Byrne ran the show from central midfield, and Conor Doherty (S) got to the by-line time and again and had an end product to back it up. But having put a bad flu behind him and having hit two well taken goals, Paddy McGuinness gets the nod. Referee watch As cup ties go, this could hardly have been easier for Eamonn Doherty to take charge of. There was scarcely a tackle worthy of the name and few contentious decisions. Carn made loud claims for a penalty just before half time, but Doherty judged that the defender had won the ball before clattering Oliver McConalogue which, from this writer’s perspective at least, seemed the correct decision. An easy day with the whistle for Eamonn. What’s next? Mid table in the Premier Division, Carn were too strong in every department for their opponents, who were very disappointing it must be said. Still, they could only beat what was put in front of them and after spurning some good chances in the first half they found their range in the second. Tall and powerful, Carn will be a physical match for their opponents next weekend and with home advantage they will be hopeful of progression in the FAI Junior Cup. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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