An extra-time double by substitute Gavin Mc Glanaghey gave Arranmore United victory in this Ulster Junior Shield Final.
Arranmore United 3 Cockhill Celtic Youths 1 (after extra-time)
By Charlie Collins at The Diamond Park
Arranmore Utd. had to start without ace striker McGlanaghey and suffered another early blow when midfielder Ryan Reynolds had to be replaced after just five minutes.
Despite those setbacks the well supported islanders had the better of things in the opening 25 minutes although neither team was able to create a real clear-cut opportunity against two well organised defences.
On the half-hour mark the Inishowen League side produced the first real opening when Darragh McDermott’s excellent pass put Adam McLaughlin through but he decided to shoot early and his attempt didn’t trouble Frankie Early as it flashed across his six-yard line and wide.
In the latter stages of the half it was Cockhill that gained the upper-hand with Ronan McLaughlin’s deliveries from dead ball situations causing a few awkward moments for Arranmore.
In the 38th minute the Donegal League side hit back and almost grabbed the lead. Michael McHugh’s super ball into the box found Paul Early and his flicked effort for goal produced an excellent save from Kyle Dougal diving to his right.
Five minutes later Dougal had to be alert again as Brian Proctor’s wind assisted free-kick hopped on his six-yard line , the keeper took the safe option and flicked it over the bar. It remained scoreless at the break.
Five minutes into the second-half Arranmore almost grabbed the lead, Daniel O Donnell did well on the right side and when his initial cross was blocked and came back to him he cut inside and curled a beauty over Kyle Dougal’s our-stretched arms and just when it seemed destined for the top course it crashed off his crossbar.
Brian Proctor followed up but it wouldn’t have counted as the offside flag was raised when he became active.
However Arranmore were not to be denied four minutes later , Michael McHugh did well to find Daniel O’Donnell and his super through ball sent Brian Proctor racing clear. Proctor produced a fine finish to slide the ball past the advancing Dougal for the lead goal.
It didn’t last long as a minute later Arranmore failed to clear their lines. When the ball reached Jack McDaid he side-stepped a defender and cracked a super rising shot past Early and we were back on level terms at 1-1.
Arranmore introduced Gavin McGlanaghey in the 65th minute in the knowledge that although not 100% fit if a chance presented itself he was likely to take it.
In the 72nd minute Cockhill created a good chance when Darragh McDermott’s pass found Mark McDaid but he shot straight at Early.
Chris Duffy let fly from 20 yards in the 78th but Early held on at the second attempt.
The effort continued from both sides but again clear-cut chances were a rarity as both defenses stood firm and extra-time became more likely , and after three minutes of injury-time that what we got.
Extra-time belonged to McGlanaghey as he struck twice to win it for Arranmore Unite.
In the 97th minute he raced onto Frankie Early’s long kick-out which deceived the Cockhill back four and still with plenty to do McGlanaghey blasted a super half-volley past Dougal from the edge of the box.
Two minutes from the end of the second period McGlanaghey pounced as keeper Dougal and two defenders got their wires crossed and the Arranmore man clipped the ball over the keeper to set off great celebrations on and off the pitch with players and supporters from the island as victory was assured by McGlanaghey.
Arranmore United: Frankie Early, Sean O’Hara, Chris McGlanaghey, Michael McHugh, Justin McBride, Ryan Reynolds, Brian Proctor, Conor Proctor , Martin Proctor Proctor , Daniel O’Donnell, Paul Early. Subs: Aidan Proctor for Reynolds (5), Gavin McGlanaghey for P.Early (65), Gary Heaney for Proctor (80.
Cockhill Celtic Youths: Kyle Dougal, Cian Downey, Conor Allen, Odhran O’Brien-Daly, Adam McCarron, Ronan McLaughlin, Jack McDaid, Christopher Duffy, Darragh McDermott, Adam McLaughlin, Mark McDaid. Subs: Shane Doherty for R.McLaughlin (60), David Laird for McDermott (80), Sean Donaghy for Downey (half-time, extra time).
Referee: Joe McHugh.