Inishowen League: Redcastle see off Culdaff to land Charlie O'Donnell Cup

Played in glorious conditions at Maginn Park Redcastle United avenged last week’s cup final defeat by defeating Culdaff FC to clinch the Charlie O’Donnell Memorial Cup on Saturday evening. 

Culdaff had the first opportunity in the 10th minute but Jack O’Brien fired weakly at Michael McCole when well placed at the edge of the area. 

Redcastle then took the lead in the 18th minute after Culdaffs defence failed to clear properly and Mark Farren blocked an attempted clearance to see the ball fly into the bottom left hand corner.

But within a minute parity had been restored after Brendan McLaughlin pounced on a misplaced pass, advanced across the edge of the area before firing left footed into the bottom corner for an excellent finish.

Culdaff had the better of the remainder of the half with McCole called into action twice to turn away O’Brien’s glancing header and then McLaughlin’s dipping free kick from distance. 

On 36 minutes Redcastle had a glorious chance after a superb Shaun Curran pass released Darragh McConway inside the area and he flicked the ball past Patrick McLaughlin but his effort lacked power allowing Ryan Greene to clear. 

Culdaff responded with Noel Mclaughlin curling an effort just wide  before Ben Curley released Brendan McLaughlin to burst past two players into the area only to see McCole make a superb save to leave them level at the break. 

Both sides had chances minutes after the restart. Firstly Redcastle’s Darragh McConway raced onto a long ball and unleashed an effort which Mclaughlin parried behind. 

At the other end O’Brien cushioned a header for Euan McFeely who advanced into the area but saw his lob just clear the bar.

A short corner in the 53rd minute to Jack McConnellogue saw his cross find Marc Bell whose downward header was blocked by the legs of Mclaughlin. 

Five minutes later Redcastle regained the lead after superb work by Farren along the byeline saw him cross for McConnellogue to control and shoot home from eight yards.

Farren then fired wide when well placed inside the area before a swift counter attack saw Michael Coyle find substitute Aidan Cunningham whose effort from the edge of the area shaved the post. 

O’Brien then had an angled effort saved by McCole before Greene had a header deflected behind as Culdaff pressed for an equaliser. But on 83 minutes a Shaun Curran free deceived  Mclaughlin and found the top left hand corner to leave Redcastle three one ahead. 

Again within a minute Culdaff reduced the deficit when Brendan Mclaughlins cross deflected off a defender past McCole. Culdaff pushed hard to force extra time but a long range effort from Tiernan McGeoghaghan was gathered by McCole as Redcastle held firm.