Redcastle reign over game
Glengad
13.12.07
Glengad... 0
Redcastle... 2
(Faulkner 21, McIntyre 77)
by Simon McGeady, Inishowen
Independent, at Foyle Park
Redcastle made it through to their first final of the
‘07/’08 season after a hard fought game against Glengad
at a rain-soaked Foyle Park on Sunday afternoon. This
West End League Cup semi-final tie was Glengad’s home
game, but like so many pitches across the peninsula at
the weekend, their's was unplayable.
If things weren’t hard enough for First Division Glengad,
the game was moved to the home of the Premier Division
Champions. Glengad’s manager Liam McClean expressed his
doubts about the worthiness of the Redcastle pitch a
number of times during the game, however with no
standing water, it was difficult to argue against
referee Terrence Moyne’s decision that the game could go
ahead.
Glengad had demonstrated their ability to beat teams
from the top division, having knocked off Quigley’s
Point Swifts and Dunree in the group stage of the
competition. Redcastle would proved to be a tougher nut
to crack though.
Glengad settled quickly and were not unduly troubled in
the opening twenty minutes, but they were undone by a
set piece when Cathal Faulkner rose highest to head home
a corner in the 21st minute. |
With John Gerard McLaughlin
pulling the strings in midfield, there was ample
opportunity for the visitors to get on the score sheet.
Stephen McLaughlin’s shot from outside the box was
watched all the way past his right post by Gerard
Crossan.
Faulkner was then required to make a solid tackle when
John McDermott made some space for himself in the the
Redastle box.
The same player then pounced after a loose Redcastle
pass five minutes from half time but his weak shot was
parried by Crossan.
Redcastle played a number of balls into the Redcastle
half but the Glengad centre-back pairing of Patrick
Doherty and Patrick McDermott were equal to the task.
With players slip-sliding away it was always going to be
a tough day for the defenders but under the
circumstances both sets of players coped well.
Shane Doherty and John Gerard McLaughlin then combined
to set up Stephen McLaughlin, but the |
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Glengad midfielder blazed
over Crossan’s crossbar when he really should have done
better.
Faulkner then passed another chance to bag another goal
when his header went over the bar in the 53rd minute.
Eamon Reddin then did well to flick on a long ball into
the path of Jimmy Gallagher but Glengad goalie Michael
McLaughlin was out well to deny the midfielder.
Stephen McLaughlin then benefitted from a Brian Treacy
mistake in the 58th minute but his ball into the box was
poor. Indeed, for all their good approach play, Glengad
struggled with the final ball all afternoon.
At the other end Joe Doherty should have punished a
fumble by Michael McLaughlin but the Redcastle forward
allowed Patrick McDermott to close him down and make a
block.
Martin Farren and Eddie McIntyre combined play in Joe
Doherty, who rounded the Glengad keeper but Michael
McLaughlin got something on Doherty’s cross and the
chance was gone. |
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At the other end Glengad continued to press for an
equaliser. First John Gerard McLaughlin’s deflected shot
kept Crossan on his toes and the same player moved own
to his right to collect a header form the Glengad number
seven.
Redcastle had a shout for a penalty eighteen minutes
from time when Marty McNutt tore into the box but
nothing was given.
Two minutes later Redcastle should have taken a 2-0 lead
when Joe Doherty was presented with a chance 12 yards
out but his attempt at a lob didn’t have the necessary
height to beat McLaughlin.
In the 77th minute Redcastle got the cushion of a second
goal when Eddie McIntyre scored with a composed low
finish after a throw in that caught the Glengad defence
napping down their right. Marty McNutt pulled the ball
back to McIntyre and the Redcastle |
striker did the rest,
side-footing home from eight yards.
The home side were well in control now and left back
Brian Treacy played a superb through ball that Joe
Doherty controlled superbly but he snatched at his shot
and it bobbled harmlessly wide.
The visitors were good value for a consolation and as
the game ran to its conclusion they had a perfect chance
to get one back two minutes form the end when John
McDermott opened up the home side down the right hand
side after a fine through ball by John Gerard
McLaughlin.
McDermott’s ball across the Redcastle area was perfectly
weighted for Stephen McLaughlin who should have scored
but he failed to connect with the cross with the goal at
his mercy.
Redcastle manager Brian Bell will be happy to have
gotten this match out of the way now and avoid fixture
congestion later in the years. Despite his side’s good
showing, Liam McClean was left to rue the weather.
Glengad
Michael McLaughlin, Ronald McDaid, Jason Doherty,
Patrick McDermott, Patrick Doherty, Stephen McLaughlin,
John Gerard McLaughlin, John McDermott, Stephen
McLaughlin, John McDaid, Shane Doherty.
Subs: Lee Kelly for Stephen McLaughlin (65), Paul
McGonagle for Ronald McDaid (87).
Redcastle
Gerald Crossan, Seamus Doherty, Brian Treacy, Martin
Farren, Cathal Faulkner, Jimmy Gallagher, Martin McNutt,
Eamonn Reddin, Joe Doherty, Paul McGowan, Eddie
McIntyre.
Subs: Liam Davenport for Paul McGowan (74).
For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the
Inishowen Independent. |
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