In the Knockalla Caravans Senior Cup semi-finals, Glengad United upset the odds with a win over Cockhill Celtic while Letterkenny Rovers defeated Greencastle FC.
Greencastle FC 1 Letterkenny Rovers 4
In truth the margin of victory has flattered Rovers as Greencastle gave as good as they got for long periods but failed to take their chances when they came.
After an even opening period Rovers broke the deadlock on 27 minutes after JP O’Doherty parried a corner and Darren McElwaine slotted the loose ball home.
When the home defence failed to clear another corner McElwaine fired past Gavin Harkin on the line despite his best efforts to clear.
Greencastle battled back well Jamie McCormick fired over from ten yards before Matthew Henry raced clear but fired over.
They reduced the deficit on 39 minutes when after a lovely build up Michael Henry played a one two with brother Matthew before slotting low in off the post past Christopher Sweeney.
But the home side lost possession in a crucial area and Lee Toland raced clear to round O’Doherty and slot home.
With the home side appealing in vain for offside the Senior league side added a fourth on 58 minutes frome Steve Okakpu-Emeka.
Greencastle still rallied and James Henry went close on a couple of occasions before Christy Hegarty fired at Sweeney when well placed. Letterkenny closed out the game to advance to the final.
Glengad United 2 Cockhill Celtic 2 (aet, Glengad win 3.2 on pens)
In an entertaining game Cockhill equalised in the 94th minute of normal time to force extra time but Glengad advanced after a dramatic penalty shootout.
Glengad started well and when Nigel McMonagle released Patrick McDermott he fired straight at Gavin Cullen.
They broke the deadlock on 8 minutes when after a good build up Jason Doherty fed McMonagle who fired a stunning effort to the top corner from 25 yards.
They almost added another on 15minutes when McDermott fed James McKinney on the right and his cross found Terence Doherty but he failed to hit the target when well placed.
Midway through the half the visitors equalised when a Gerry Gill free found Gerard McLaughlin whose header came off the bar for Derek Doherty to bundle the ball home.
Glengad had the final chance of the half after McKinney released Stephen McLaughlin whose effort on the run shaved the outside of the post.
Glengad started the second half the better also and in an identical earlier move McKinney crossed but Doherty again fired wide.
They regained the lead on the hour when Adam Byrne rose highest to power a Stephen McLaughlin corner to the top corner.
Cockhill replied and after Gill’s corner James Bradley was unlucky to see his header rebound off the bar.
Glengad had a great chance to seal the game on 79 minutes after a brilliant McDermott pass in behind the Cockhill defence sent Doherty clear but he fired wide.
Deep into injury time Bradley crossed for Darragh McDermott to head to the top corner and force extra time.
The only chance of note in extra time was a long range effort from Gill that Houghton saved comfortably.
In the shootout John G McLaughlin, Michael and Matthew Byrne all converted to give the home side the victory.
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