Donegal League advance in Oscar Traynor at the expense of Inishowen counterparts

The second leg of the Donegal and Inishowen Leagues Oscar Traynor Cup tie finished level at Diamond Park in Ballyare on Sunday, which sealed progression to the next round of the competition for John Francis Doogan's team with a 4-3 aggregate win.

The hosts had opened the scoring in the seventh minute however, this was canceled out midway through the opening stanza courtesy of an equaliser through Thomas McMonagle. 

Diarmaid O’Brien’s men battled hard in search of the required goal to take the game to extra time but the Donegal League outfit defended superbly to achieve victory over the two legs. 

The Donegal League started brightly in this encounter and found the back of the net after just seven minutes of play. 

An attempted header back to the ‘keeper fell short off the hands of Taylor Clarke and the alert Eddie O’Reilly was first to the ball and lobbed it over the head of the Inishowen League goalkeeper and into the net. 

Inishowen grew into the contest after going behind and came close to leveling terms on fifteen minutes. A great ball from Brendan McLaughlin found the path of Corey McBride but his attempt was well saved by Blake Forkan. 

On the half hour mark, O’Brien’s men did find the leveler. A free kick from McLaughlin was fizzed low and goalwards. Goalkeeper Forkan was unable to deal with it and left-back Thomas McMonagle was on hand to tap the ball home. 

Just before the interval, the Inishowen men had an opportunity to go ahead with Terence Doherty playing the ball into the path of captain Kieran McDaid but his goal bound effort was superbly blocked by Paul Boyle to leave nothing between the teams at the break. 

Four minutes after the interval, Inishowen had the ball in the back of the net with Corey McBride tapping the ball home from close range but the linesman soon raised his flag to signal him offside. 

Clear cut chances came few and far between for Doogan’s side since taking an early lead but on 65 minutes, a great opportunity arrived for them. A corner from Joel Gorman landed at the feet of Paul Boyle who’s first volleyed effort was well blocked before the second attempt was fired just over the upright. 

With 20 minutes remaining on the clock, O’Brien and his side were dealt a serious blow as they were reduced to ten men with Vincent McLaughlin flashing the red card to Calvin Gallagher for a tackle on Adrian Delap. 

Despite the man deficit, Inishowen continued to throw everything at the Donegal League side in search of an all important goal that would send the contest to extra-time. 

Inishowen sent a number of dangerous deliveries into the Donegal League box but credit must be given to the home outfit who defended outstandingly to hold out and seal their progression to the next round of the Oscar Traynor Cup. 

Donegal League: Blake Forkan; Maurice McGee, Paul Boyle, Matthew Crossan, Brendan McCafferty, Darren McElwaine (Zach Gorman, 73), Joel Gorman, Michael Funston (Christy Connaghan, 85), Nathan Plumb (Shane McNamee, 55), Adrian Delap (Mark McAteer, 88), Eddie O’Reilly. 

Inishowen League: Taylor Clarke; Lee McLaughlin (Aaron McDaid, 81), John G McLaughlin, Peter Doherty, Thomas McMonagle, Kieran McDaid, Calvin Gallagher, Corey McBride (Paul Doherty, 81), James Henry, Brendan McLaughlin, Terence Doherty (Jamie McKinney, 81). 

Referee: Vincent McLaughlin.