 |
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
 |
| Search... |
Glory for Greencastle
03.09.09
|
||||||||
|
Greencastle...5 (Niamh McLaughlin 7&66, Niamh Hegarty 26&35, Loirin Melarkey 20) Cockhill...1 (Louise Porter 41) by Simon McGeady, Inishowen Independent, at Maginn Park GREENCASTLE have completed one part of what they hope will be a league and cup double with this comprehensive victory at Maginn Park on Sunday evening. Cockhill were no match for Paddy Hannon’s team on the night as Greencastle turned on the style on the big stage. Cockhill, who were without their starting goalkeeper and sweeper, looked out of sorts. Perhaps the defeat to Greencastle earlier in the week, which ended their hopes of lifting the league, had left the St Mary’s Park side a little demoralised. |
|
|
Cockhill might have got
their confidence back had they taken one of the chances
they created in the opening five minutes, but it was
Greencastle who struck the opening goal and from that
moment on there only ever looked to be one winner. Greencastle’s opening goal in the 7th minute was an eye-catching counter attack. Ciara Hegarty and Maria Kelly combined on the left to release Niamh McLaughlin through the middle and she lashed the ball high into the Cockhill net. McLaughlin had a superb game for the Chapel Lane outfit, her willingness to run off the ball led to several chances for her team. And the chances came thick and fast for the Foylesiders in the first half. Niamh Hegarty rounded Michelle Kelly and crossed for Ciara Hegarty who laid the ball off on the edge of the ‘D’ to Maria Kelly but she swerved a shot wide. Then Karen Henry threw the ball in Maria Kelly, whose first touch took her beyond the Cockhill back four. Kelly crossed for Ciara Hegarty but the full back couldn’t quite steer her shot on target. On 20 minutes Greencastle’s fans were cheering once more when their team doubled their lead. |
 |
|
Niamh McLaughlin took a
corner short to Shona Kelly and she found Loirin
Melarkey on the edge of the Cockhill area and the full
back hit the back of the net with a looping shot that
may have been a cross, not that her Greencastle
teammates cared. At the other end Evelyn Dougal was equal to whatever Cockhill threw into her box. On 26 minutes Cockhill’s defence was breeched for a third time when Niamh Hegarty found time and space 25 yards out and unleashed an unstoppable shot. With Cockhill creating little in the way of chances, Greencastle were odds-on to retain the cup at this stage. Caroline Gallagher in the Cockhill goal then pushed Shona Kelly’s shot out for a corner as Greencastle looked to put the game away before the half. They went close to a fourth when Karen Henry found Niamh Hegarty on the edge of the area and her shot on the turn struck the angle of post and bar. Maria Brown tried to respond for Cockhill but her surging run deep into the Greencastle area only for Melarkey to slide in and dispossess her. Greencastle continued to push forward and they got the goal that effectively ended the game as a contest five minutes from half time when Maria Kelly’s long ball over the Cockhill rearguard found Niamh Hegarty who shot across the exposed Gallagher for number four. Cockhill needed a response, and that’s what they got in the first minute of the second half when, with the big guns up from the back, Louise Porter’s free kick eluded all including Dougal. Moments later Maria Kelly headed Niamh Hegarty’s deep cross into the net only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Gallagher then denied Niamh McLaughlin with a smart save as Cockhill held on. They might have got a second in the 50th minute when Louise Porter released Christina McCallion over the top but the ball ran on to Dougal. At the other end Tracey Doherty made a great tackle to deny Niamh Hegarty. Greencastle nearly put the icing on the cake in the 64th minute with what would have been as a bizarre goal when Gallagher kicked the ball off Niamh Hegarty’s head and it ricocheted onto the crossbar. Hannon’s side did get a fifth two minutes later when the excellent Ciara Hegarty sent the ball from the left to her sister who in turn played Niamh McLaughlin in on goal to side foot home. Cockhill pressed for a consolation goal in the last ten minutes but with Geraldine Harkin and Ciara Hegarty alive to the danger of the ball in behind, the St Mary’s Park ladies were unable to get near the Greencastle goal. Greencastle’s thoughts must now turn to their final league game of the season against the Illies on Thursday night, a match they must win to force a title playoff with Carndonagh. If Greencastle fail to take three points Niall McGuinness’ girls will win their third league title in a row. Cockhill: Caroline Gallagher, Tracey Doherty, Emma O’Donnell, Susan Noone, Michelle Kelly, Maria Brown, Niamh Connolly, Caroline Donaghey, Louise Porter, Alana McConalogue, Christina McCallion. Greencastle: Evelyn Dougal, Loirin Melarkey, Ciara Hegarty, Geraldine Harkin, Danielle Barr, Annette McLaughlin, Shona Kelly, Niamh McLaughlin, Niamh Hegarty, Karen Henry, Marie Kelly. Subs: Aisling Ward for Annette McLaughlin, Catriona Cavanagh for Shona Kelly. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
| Return to > Sports > News > Home |
 |