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Doherty hits hat-trick as Clonmany keep pace 26.01.12
Inishowen Engineering Reserve Premier League

Carn Reserves...0

Clonmany Reserves...3
(J. Doherty 3)

Caoimhinn Barr reports from St. Patrick’s Park. Photos: Herbie Barr

A fantastic Jason Doherty hat-trick helped Clonmany overcome Carn and keep pace with Aileach in the race for Premier Reserve League glory.
On a cold and windy morning at St. Patrick’s Park Doherty was red hot as the Shamrocks second stringers made it a fantastic eight wins out of nine in the Division.
Ciaran McLaughlin’s men, who lost central defender Kevin Harkin to injury early in the game, could even afford the luxury of a missed first-half penalty after Shane Gibbons brilliantly stopped Dessie Doherty’s effort.
With Daniel McLaughlin in scintillating form on the wing, Clonmany relied on the experience of Edmund Doherty and Conor Bradley in midfield while Doherty and Patrick Harkin were lethal as a strike partnership.
Carn remained in the game for long periods and will probably feel that the final scoreline was a little harsh but in truth they could not match Clonmany’s superior skill and endeavour.
The game was barely ninety seconds old when Jason Doherty flashed Clonmany into the lead with a fine opportunistic finish from twelve yards after Daniel McLaughlin and Patrick Harkin had threatened on the left.
Recovering from the shock of falling behind so early in the game, Carn could have drawn level less than five minutes later but Clonmany keeper Kevin McLaughlin made a stunning save to deny Caomhan Canny after great work on the left by Conor McCormack and Shaun O’Doherty.
Skilful wideman Daniel McLaughlin had the visitors on the attack soon after with a mazy run creating a shooting opportunity for Edmund Doherty, who dragged wide of the target from 25 yards.
Patrick Harkin almost doubled Clonmany’s advantage midway through the first-half, lifting the ball narrowly over Shane Gibbons’ crossbar after being put in the clear by an intelligent headed flick from Jason Doherty.
Another dangerous Jason Doherty cross from the right was narrowly missed by Harkin in the centre before Carn defender Ryan Kelly cleared the danger from Clonmany duo Mark McLaughlin and Dessie Doherty.
Leading the Carn attack at the other end, Cathal Doyle made ground on the right before teeing up strike partner Caomhan Canny, who miscued when well placed in the box after half an hour.
Doyle was involved soon after, chesting down Canny’s cross for Shaun O’Doherty, who saw his shot well saved by Clonmany keeper McLaughlin.
With the opening period drawing to a close, Clonmany spurned a gilt-edged chance to extend their lead when Jason Doherty earned a spot kick for the talented title-chasers. Midfielder Dessie Doherty stepped up to the plate but saw his effort brilliantly saved by Carn keeper Shane Gibbons, who flew quickly to his left.
Early in the second-half Clonmany continued to look the more likely with a Daniel McLaughlin snap shot brilliantly saved by Gibbons before the Carn keeper was out again to deny the impressive young winger minutes later.
Patrick Harkin’s drive then whistled inches over before Cathal Doyle passed up a great chance to draw Carn level. The striker latched onto a perfect Conor Doherty through ball and attempted to go round Clonmany keeper McLaughlin, who denied him with a brave low stop.
Conor Bradley had Clonmany back on the front foot soon after with a threatening run on the right leading to an incredible treble save by Carn keeper Gibbons. First the home stopper denied Daniel McLaughlin with a fine save before making two more point blank blocks to thwart Edmund Doherty and Jason Doherty.
Another Daniel McLaughlin run and pass found Dessie Doherty, who touched into the path of Conor Bradley to fire narrowly wide as Clonmany turned up the heat on a cold morning in Carn.
A smart spin and shot from Clonmany forward Harkin flew just wide of Shane Gibbons’ right-hand post before, at the other end, Mark McLaughlin headed clear from under his own crossbar after substitute Ciaran McLaughlin’s wicked delivery as Carn tried to get back into the match.
But with fifteen minutes remaining the game’s key moment arrived when Jason Doherty fired in his and Clonmany’s second goal to all but end the contest. Controlling Dessie Doherty’s long pass, the dangerman turned on the edge of the area and rifled home from eighteen yards, giving Gibbons no chance.
Collecting Conor Bradley’s pass, Jason Doherty drew another save from Gibbons before he wrapped up the win and completed his hat-trick in injury time, coolly lifting the ball into the net over the advancing keeper after Patrick Harkin’s intelligent pass.

Carn Reserves: Shane Gibbons, Fergal Doherty, Dara McLaughlin, Ryan Kelly, Liam Coyle, Shaun O’Doherty, Conor McCormack, Dominic Doherty, Cathal Doyle, Caomhan Canny, Conor Doherty. Subs: Adam Byrne, Declan McGonagle, Ciaran McLaughlin, Christy Doherty, Ronan Doherty, Stephen Doherty.

Clonmany Reserves: Kevin McLaughlin, Mark McLaughlin, Niall McLaughlin, Kevin Harkin, Brian Devlin, Dessie Doherty, Edmund Doherty, Conor Bradley, Jason Doherty, Patrick Harkin, Daniel McLaughlin. Subs: Liam McCarron, Eamon Doherty, Ciaran Doherty, Ferghal Harkin, Francie McLaughlin.

AT A GLANCE
Man of Match
Conor Doherty looked like Carn’s brightest spark on a morning when they were second best. Clonmany’s Daniel McLaughlin is a fantastic talent and will go on to be one of Inishowen’s top players. The award though goes to hat-trick hero Jason Doherty, who scored a trio of fantastic goals and was a threat throughout.

Ref Watch
Man in the middle Danny McLaughlin had a good game. Let the action flow as much as possible and didn’t influence the result. Was correct to award Clonmany a first-half penalty and reached into his pocket to produce one yellow card in the second.

Turning Point
The game had a number of crucial moments. Cathal Doyle could have levelled for Carn before the hour mark while Shane Gibbons’ penalty save could have been key. In the end though, Jason Doherty’s second goal, fifteen minutes from time, killed off the contest.

For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent.
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