CULDAFF FC 2 V 3 GLENGAD UTD. A goal in each half by Paddy Mc Dermott and one in between from Christy Mc Laughlin gave Glengad Utd this come from behind and hard earned derby win at a cold and wet Caratra Park in Culdaff. Christy Mc Laughlin went close in the third minute of Glengad, cutting in from the right side but Darragh Mc Laughlin denied him with an excellent block save and then having fallen behind in the 8th minute when Michael Coyle found space in the box and powerfully headed home Darren Mullarky’s corner the visitors found themselves on the back foot and had to produce a determined and hard working performance to take home all three points. After Coyle’s opener both sides had chances to score, Terence Doherty should have equalised in the 14th minute when Michael Bryne put him through, while a minute later Micheal Coyle created a chance for Dermot Diver but the big defender shot just wide. In the 24th minute Benny Mc Laughlin found Darren Mullarky in the box but he shot across goal when well placed. Glengad had plenty of possession but their play in the final third was letting them down, but in the 33rd minute they drew level when Matthew Bryne let fly from 30 yards and when his shot came back off the underside of the crossbar Paddy Mc Dermott pounced to head home the rebound. In the final minutes of the half both Terence Doherty and Mc Dermott had good chances but failed to apply the required finish. However it didn’t take Shane Bryne’s men too long to take the lead after the break. Mc Dermott produced a super crossfield pass and Christy Mc Laughlin drilled the ball low past keeper Darragh Mc Laughlin in the 46th minute. Glengad then upped their game and after a few near things they made it 1-3 in the 63rd minute when Christy Mc Laughlin returned the favour for Mc Dermott as the latter reacted quickest to Mc Laughlin’s cross and forced the ball over the line from close range. To their credit in what were very difficult conditions, with a cold biting wind and heavy rain both teams continued to give their all and Culdaff FC never gave up. Glengad’s Shane Canning somehow scrambled a goalbound shot from Benny Mc Laughlinoff the line in the 77th minute but Glengad’s good fortune didn’t last too long as a minute later Benny Mc Laughlin burst through on the left and hammered a super rising shot past Kevin Mc Laughlin to set up a tense last ten minutes. Glengad held on but it took a brillant full length save from keeper Kevin Mc Laughlin in the 92nd minute to deny Benny Mc Laughlin’s goalbound headed following a free-kick. Defeat for Aileach FC in Clonmany, where the home keeper Paddy Harkin saved two penalties and Oisín Hessian’s goal gave the home side victory means Glengad take over at the top of the table, with Buncrara Hearts up to 2nd after a 0-2 win over Carn FC, while the bottom two Quigley Point Swifts and Illies Celtic played out a scoreless draw in Muff. CULDAFF FC ; Darragh Mc Laughlin, Dermot Diver, Eugene Mc Laughlin, Dillon Ruddy, Paul Mc Laughlin, Conor Farren ( Aiden Cunningham ), Noel Mc Laughlin ( Paul Mills 78mins ), Michael Coyle , Brian Mc Candless ( Jack O Brien 72mins ), Benny Mc Laughlin, Darren Mullarky. GLENGAD UTD ; Kevin Mc Laughlin, Stephen Mc Laughlin, James Mc Kinney , John Gerard Mc Laughlin, Matthew Bryne , Adam Bryne , Christy Mc Laughlin, Shane Canning , Terence Doherty ( Seamus Doherty ) , Michael Bryne, Paddy Mc Dermott. REFEREE ; Charlie Doherty
McDermott double puts Glengad Utd on Top as Charlie Collins Reports
written by
Chris McNulty
January 14, 2018
Chris McNulty
Author of 'Boxing In Donegal: A History (2021)' - the definitive history of the sport in County Donegal - and 'Relentless: A Race Through Time', the 2019 memoir of former Irish Athletics Team Manager Patsy McGonagle. From St Johnston and now based in Letterkenny, Chris was a nominee for NUJ Sports Journalist of the Year in 2010. Honoured by the Donegal Boxing Board in 2016 for his coverage on the sport.