(Match Report by Vincent Lynn)
This much awaited local derby semi final intermediate championship never lived up to expectations in footballing terms. However there was plenty of excitement and drama right up the final whistle. The game was excellently refereed by M. Mulherne.
Buncrana had the greater share of the play in the first half. However Carndonagh contained them to three points due to fantastic defending by their full back line of P. Mac Laughlin, Jo Lafferty and in particular A. O Callaghan.
Donncha Gallagher opened the scoring in the match after eight minutes with a fifty yard free for Carndonagh. This was added to with a point by Niall Mac Laughlin after a poor kick out by Eamon Doherty in the Buncrana goals. Donncha Gallagher scored another great free for Carn. Buncrana then began to dominate and three points scored from frees by county player Paul Mac Gonagle and Oran Doherty left the teams level after twenty minutes. The dominance Buncrana were expected to have at midfield with The Mac Gonagle brothers was not materializing due to the efforts of the Doherty brothers and the Carndonagh management tactic of playing Kevin Doherty as a third midfielder. A well taken point by Gerard Doherty(K) after trojan work by Aidan O Callaghan left Carndonagh winning at half time Carn 0-4 Buncrana 0-3. Both teams were guilty of missing very scorable points throughout the first half.
Buncrana opened brightly in the second half and Oran Doherty slotted over a fine point after a great pass from Ronan Doherty leaving the teams level. Carndonagh upped the tempo in the middle of the field and started to dominate. Four points were scored from play without reply from Buncrana with Darren Bourke in particular displaying his uncanny ability to score from all angles. Buncrana then introduced a couple of subs Gavin Cullen and Nigel Buchanan which had the affect of stabilizing the Buncrana team. Buncrana had the ball in Carndonagh's nets but Leo Gill was deemed to be in the square. Carndonagh then brought on Corkman John Kenneally and Keith Doherty. Keith was just on the field when he crashed a fantastic shot against the crossbar. Had this ball ended in the net the game was over as a contest. Kenneally has been compared to Colin Corkery of Cork in the Carndonagh area such has been his contribution to the Club's Reserve team since his arrival some months ago. Just as Corkery was sent off in the semi final match against Kerry some few weeks ago Kenneally was deservedly red carded in this match having been on the field only for a few minutes. This sending off had a big affect on the game. The Buncrana half back line of Doherty, Mac Callum and Mac Connell powered forward. Young Oran Doherty scored four fine points leaving the teams level with five minutes to go. Gavin Mac Connell received the perfect pass from his Buncrana colleague Ryan Bradley. His shot was brilliantly saved by the Carn keeper Martin Mooney. Carndonagh went up the field and Darren Bourke scored another fine point. Carndonagh were leading by this point but an injury time point by sub. Nigel Buchanan left the teams all square at full time. A lot of people at this match were puzzled at some of the switches made by the Carn management team towards the end. An interesting replay is a certainty next Sunday commencing at 3.00 p.m. Venue yet to be decided. Best for Carn were Jo Lafferty, Aidan O Callaghan, M. Mac Laughlin, Gerard and Cathal Doherty, Barry Browne, Garry McLaughlin and Darren Burke. Best for Buncrana were Nick Galvin, Ronan Doherty,Paul and Stephan Mac Gonagle , Gavin Mac Connell and Oran Doherty.
Teams:
Carndonagh: Martin Mooney, P. McLaughlin, Joe Lafferty, A O'Callaghan, M. McLaughlin. Oliver Mac Conologue, Shane Kelly, Gerard Doherty, Cathal Doherty, Donncha Gallagher(0-2), Barry Browne(0-1), Niall Mac Laughlin(0-1),Garry Mac Lughlin(0-1), Darren Burke(0-4), Kevin Doherty. Subs used. M. O Donnell, Keith Doherty, John Kenneally and John Gibbons
Buncrana: Eamon Doherty, Nick Galvin, John Doherty, Benny Mac Gee, Ronan Doherty, Kieran Mac Callum, David Mac Connell,Paul Mac Gonagle(0-2), Stephan Mac Gonagle, Kieran Doherty, Ryan Bradley, Oran Doherty(0-6), Stephan Doherty, Leo Gill, Gavin Mac Connell.Subs used: Gavin Cullen, Nigel Buchanan(0-1), Michael Duffy
Team:
Carndonagh 0-09 Buncrana 0-09 (Match Report by Vincent Lynn)
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