Premier Division leaders Greencastle FC picked up their men’s Senior team’s first ever senior trophy in the Inishowen League since the club’s formation in 1986.
Greencastle FC 3 Carn FC 0
Report by Charlie Collins
They’ll be hoping to add the Premier League title in the coming weeks but they put those ambitions on hold at a windy Maginn Park with this impressive victory over a hard-working Carn FC side which tried hard throughout but like many before them this season found the winners just too hot to handle.
Greencastle FC had the better of things in the early stages and after several close calls they created an excellent chance in the 20h minute when Jamie McCormick and Nigel McMonagle combined to set up Mattie Henry but surprisingly he pulled his shot wide from near the penalty spot.
A let off for Carn FC but a minute later they weren’t so lucky as Mattie Henry made up for his miss by winning possession and sliding a lovely pass for James Henry to stroke past Fergal Doherty.
The Premier league leaders kept up the pressure and went 2-0 up in the 36th minute, the Carn FC defence failed to deal with a dangerous situation and a pull-back on James Henry resulted in a penalty award which Jamie McCormick confidently converted.
At the interval, it was 2-0 to Greencastle and a long way back for Carn FC.
Five minutes into the second half the game was over as a contest with a brilliant third goal. Shaun Doherty slid a pass through to Mattie Henry, he played a super pass behind full back Donal Doherty for Jamie McCormick whose low cross was hammered home by Man of the Match James Henry from the six-yard line.
Mattie Henry had a chance in the 65th minute when sent clear by Jamie McCormick after a Carn attack broke down. Nigel McMonagle had two good chances in quick succession but some determined defending kept him out as Greencastle FC continued to dominate.
In the 72nd minute, Carn FC were awarded a penalty by Referee Harvey when he adjudged that Brandon Browne had been fouled, a decision hotly disputed by Greencastle defenders.
Cade Cooke stepped up to take it but Dylan Doherty went low to save and then reacted brilliantly to deny Lorcan Bradley’s follow up.
Both teams had a couple of half chances in the final ten minutes but Greencastle FC saw out the game comfortably to take that first Senior trophy, perhaps the first of a few this season.
GREENCASTLE FC: Dylan Doherty, Stephen Grant (Michael Henry 51mins ), Gavin Harkin, Mark Henry, DJ Canavan (Michael Barr 51mins), Eamon Donnelly, Jamie McCormick, Shaun Doherty, James Henry (Christy Hegarty 61mins), Nigel McGonagle (Ronan Doherty 77mins), Matty Henry (Ciaran Moore 65mins).
CARN FC: Fergal Doherty, Christy Doherty, Donal Doherty (Matthew McLaughlin 80mins), Ryan Kelly, Conor Doherty, Michael McDermott (Lorcan Bradley 43mins), Shane Doherty ( Brandon Browne h-t ), Will Quinn, Dermot Doherty (Tiernan Coyle 80mins), Cade Cooke, Girts Dzerins (Chris McDaid 80mins).
REFEREE: Warren Harvey.
