Glengad United shot back to the top of the Inishowen League Premier Division with an emphatic win over Illies.
Illies Celtic 0 Glengad United 4
By Charlie Collins at Stranaclea
Two opportunist goals from Terence Doherty and two crackers from Christy Fildara McLaughlin steered Glengad Utd to victory and back to the top.
After a closely contested first-half the visitors 0-1 at the break. Illies Celtic had a great chance to equalise early in the second-half but failed to convert and two minutes later Christy Fildara blasted high to the net from 30 yards to make it 2-0 and Glengad were in control from then on.
The opening 25 minutes were evenly contested with neither team creating any real chances. Illies went close in the 26th minute but Paddy Doherty was denied by some last ditch defending and Glengad responded well with a number of good attacks.
Christy and Stephen Fildara both went close within a minute and then a Stephen pile-driver hit the crossbar.
A minute later the visitors took the lead. John Gerard McLaughlin did well to head a cross following a corner back across the 6 yard line and Terence reacted quicker to flick the ball to the net in the 35th minute.
Illies responded can immediately and after some good work on the ball Kevin McGonagle laid off a pass which Paul Doherty drilled goal-wards from 25 yards which had keeper Kevin McLaughlin diving to his left to parry away.
Just before the break Glengad full-back did well to keep the ball in play and his low cross found Terence Doherty but his shot was just wide.
Nine minutes into the second-half Glengad had a big let-off when keeper Kevin McLaughlin attempted to pass the ball out instead of putting his boot through it which looked the best option by some distance.
Liam Doherty intercepted and set up a chance for Paddy Doherty but keeper McLaughlin redeemed himself by making a good save but perhaps the striker should have done better.
Two minutes later that missed opportunity looked even more costly as Connor Barrow did well well before feeding Christy Fildara who hammered home a 30 yard pile-driver to Jonathan Noone’s top corner, giving the keeper no chance and Glengad a 2-0 lead in the 56th minute.
Eight minutes later it was 3-0. Christy fed Stephen wide on the right, he raced to the by-line and pulled back a low cross which found Terence who still had plenty to do before getting his shot away. ‘keeper Noone did get a hand to it but couldn’t prevent it from crossing the line.
Illies continued to compete and sub Gavin Doherty had a couple of chances to pull at least one back for them , heading a really good cross from Frankie O’Connor wide.
In the 80th minute the Fildara’s combined again as Christy hit the inside of the post from Stephen’s return pass but on the stroke of full-time he produced another moment of sheer class when he added his second and Glengad’s fourth with a super long-range curling strike from near the sideline to round off an important win for his team and top spot in the table over the festive season.
Illies Celtic: Jonathan Noone, David Doherty, Frankie O’Connor, Shane Doherty, Adrian Doherty-Donaghy, Paul Doherty, Brendan Doherty, Dominick Coyle, Paddy Doherty, Kevin McGonagle, Liam Doherty. Subs: Gavin Doherty for B.Doherty (60), Dominick Doherty and John Campbell for D.Doherty and McGonagle (70).
Glengad United: Kevin McLaughlin, Paddy McDermott , Finn McClure, John Gerard McLaughlin, Jason Doherty, Dillon Ruddy, Stephen McLaughlin , Seamus Doherty, Terence Doherty, Connor Barrow, Christopher McLaughlin. Subs: Cathal McDaid for Barrow (70) Declan McLaughlin and Joe Doherty for S.McLaughlin and S.Doherty (85), Nathan McConalogue for T.Doherty (90).
Referee: Martin McGonigle
