Wind-assisted Cockhill Celtic overcome old foes Bonagee in Ulster Junior Cup

Christy McLaughlin’s goal, scored directly from a corner kick, was enough to squeeze Cockhill Celtic into the semi-finals of the Ulster Junior Cup.

A week after their hold on the FAI Junior Cup was loosened by Avenue United in Clare, Cockhill edged past Bonagee United on Sunday.

The remnants of Storm Éowyn were still very much in the air around Dry Arch Park and the lingering wind certainly played its part in the game’s defining moment.

These two sides danced on loftier perches in recent years before returning to junior football following the demise of the Ulster Senior League in 2023. 

Many of the same protagonists crossed swords on Sunday and it was Gavin Cullen’s team who emerged to take their place in a semi-final against Kildrum Tigers. The Ulster Junior Cup was a piece of silverware that eluded them last season, although they landed a magnificent quadruple.

There were early chances with Garbhan Friel testing Andrew Nicholls, the home goalkeeper, before the same player just didn’t get a strong enough connection when he met a McLaughlin set piece.

Peter Doherty’s diving header was off cue after he was picked out by a delicious Corey McBride cross.

The lead - and only - goal arrived when McLaughlin’s wicked left-footed corner deceived everyone in a crowded goalmouth. There were gasps of disbelief from some as McLaughlin’s set piece floated its way to the far corner.

Jack Mullan riffled a thundering effort that was held by Nicholls with Cockhill in search of a second.

Later in the opening half, Nicholls did well to bat over from another teasing McLaughlin corner while Cockhill skipper Jimmy Bradley headed off target in the closing moments of part one.

On a rapidly darkening afternoon, the floodlights came on just after half-time.

Friel drilled wide with efforts early in the second half while McLaughlin clipped the outside of the post when a headed clearance by Nicholls fell into his path.

Gavin Sweeney, sent on at half-time for his Bonagee debut, thought he had levelled things up, but his effort was chalked off for a foul on Lee McLaughlin in the penalty area in the build up.

Bonagee rallied late on and Jamie Harris fired over the top when well placed after beating the offside trap.

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The ever-lively Harris, a former Finn Harps and Derry City prospect, was presented with another opening deep into added time, but Harry Doherty thwarted him when saving with a trailing leg.

In between times, Doherty held onto Sweeney’s powerful drive.

Bonagee United: Andrew Nicholls, Jack Parke, Eoghan Doherty, Gareth Breslin, Ryan Creevy (Sean Hume 87), Gareth Harkin, Fintan Hassan (Kyle McLaughlin 60), James Henry, Shay Maloney (Gavin Sweeney h-t), Ricky Guntrip (Dan O’Donnell h-t), Jamie Harris.

Cockhill Celtic: Harry Doherty, Lee McLaughlin, Brendan McLaughlin, Lee McColgan, Peter Doherty, Jack Doherty, Corey McBride, Jimmy Bradley (Conor Graham 85), Garbhan Friel (Stephen Duffy 72), Jack Mullan (Luke Rudden 72), Christy McLaughlin (Damian Duffy 72). 

Referee: Packie Coll.