Clonmany lift Cassidy Cup
18.08.09
Clonmany Shamrocks...4
(Michael Devlin (3), B Devlin)
Glengad United...0
Report: Inishowen Independent
MICHAEL Devlin, back with his home club after a spell
with Redcastle United, proved the match winner for
Clonmany as they overcame Glengad in last Friday’s
Cassidy Cup final at a damp Trawbreaga Park in the Isle
of Doagh. His first half strike was followed by two
quick goals at the start of the second half to put his
side firmly in control and ensured the Shamrocks
reclaimed this pre-season piece of silverware which they
last won three years ago. |
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Clonmany were ahead as
early as the fifth minute. Midfielder Raymond McDaid
surged down into the right corner and when his cross
arrived in the area Devlin swept a low ground shot into
the bottom left hand corner of the net giving Michael Mc
Laughlin in the Glengad goal no chance. Shortly
afterwards, Glengad’s left back Jason Doherty who had
moved forward to join the attack latched onto a low ball
across the area from Lee Kelly but his shot was
deflected wide. Play was fairly even during the opening
half with Glengad’s Anthony Toland constantly trying to
probe an opening for his forwards but Clonmany’s Philip
Devlin showed his defensive qualities on more than one
occasion when he either blocked strikes at goal or
excelled in the air when danger threatened. However, the
best openings for Glengad fell to Christopher Mc
Laughlin when he just failed to convert deliveries from
Alan Orr. His first from Orr’s corner just eluded him as
he rose in front of goal and although he beat goalkeeper
Peter Devlin |
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to the same player’s free
kick his effort dropped wide. Clonmany’s best chance of
increasing their lead in the first half came when Jason
Devlin tried to play in John Mc Laughlin but the ball
fell awarkedly for him and the advancing keeper claimed.
The opening three minutes of the second half proved
decisive as Clonmany surprised their opponents with two
quick goals. Right from the kick off they worked the
ball forward and when Steve Harkin tried to force his
way through the ball broke to Devlin who drilled home
from 14 yards. And almost immediately Devlin completed
his hat-trick after being set up by Raymond McDaid. It
was an uphill task that now faced Glengad but to their
credit they did not throw in the towel. Christopher Mc
Laughlin was using his strength to try to create
openings. He had an effort just wide of the post and
when he latched onto a long ball out of his own defence
it took an excellent Liam Hirrell tackle to dispossess
him as he closed in on goal. And Glengad were out of
luck when substitute Patrick McDermott’s goal bound
strike was deflected over the bar by Mickey Grant. But
the Shamrocks were having the upper hand. Jason Devlin
had a right wing cross taken out from under the Glengad
bar and Mark McLaughlin who came on as sub for Michael
Devlin was looking lively when running at the opposing
defense or delivering crosses from the wings. It was
from one such cross that Clonmany completed the scoring
when Brendan Devlin headed home from 8 yards.
With the Shamrocks just back in training, joint managers
Martin Cavanagh and Neil Hirrell will be pleased with
the commitment shown in what was a fairly competitive
match while Liam Mc Clean will be happy that his charges
kept plugging away and did not allow their heads to drop
even after the reversal at the beginning of the second
half.
Shaun Cassidy was on hand to present Clonmany captain
Steve Harkin with the memorial cup named after his
grandfather Michael J. Cassidy. Rasheney Football Club
wishes to thank Culdaff F.C; Clonmany Shamrocks and
Glengad United for their participation and also Gerard
O’Kane for acting as referee for all matches in the
competition.
Clonmany Shamrocks: Peter Devlin; Marty Doherty;
Liam Hirrell; Niall Mc Daid; Philip Devlin; Paul Mc
Laughlin; Steve Harkin; Raymond Mc Daid; John Mc
Laughlin; Michael Devlin; Jason Devlin. Subs : (all
used) Brendan Devlin; Mark Mc Laughlin; Phil Pat
Doherty; Michael Grant.
Glengad United: Michael Mc Laughlin; Lee Kelly;
Jason Doherty; John G. Mc Laughlin; Christy Mc Laughlin;
Ruairi Doherty; Alan Orr; Anthony Toland; Stephen Mc
Laughlin; John G.Mc Dermott; John Mc Daid. Subs : (all
used) Paul Mc Gonagle; Stephen Mc Laughlin; Patrick Mc
Dermott; Paul Mc Dermott.
For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the
Inishowen Independent. |
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