 |
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
 |
| Search... |
Buncrana and Gleneely share
spoils
|
|||||||||||
|
Gleneely Colts...1 (Ronan Kearney ’44) Buncrana Hearts...1 (Pauric O’Flaherty ’51) by Michael Stamp, Inishowen Independent, in Gleneely WITH both sides near the top of the Strand Hotel First Division this clash between Buncrana and Gleneely defined the term vital game. The Colts, with their games in hand and impressive form, seem to be favourites to win promotion and the league title. Yet Buncrana’s young side have only lost a solitary league game this season and harbour title ambitions of their own. With Glengad United breathing down the neck of both sides – and leap-frogging Gleneely through their win over Sea Rovers – a good result was vital for each team. What would emerge triumphant, the youth, pace and fitness of Buncrana or the experience, strength and class of Gleneely? |
|
|
The final result of a draw
was a fair reflection on both teams but a scoreline
showing only two goals is not a fair reflection of the
game. Simply put this was an outstanding match that had
a little bit of everything, great goals, near misses,
awful misses, silly tackles and everything else in
between. Both sides had their outstanding performers. For Gleneely Ronan Kearney had a performance reminiscent of Robbie Keane at his best, lots of running and a well taken goal. Declan Kearney ran the show in midfield and Neal G Duffy was impressive in the heart of defence. However the best player on the pitch was in a yellow shirt. Darren McGlynn playing at right back had a fantastic game for Hearts providing a potent attacking outlet along with sterling defensive work. Pauric O’Flaherty was full of energy upfront and took his goal exquisitely and Liam O’Donnell in nets had a good game until he had to go off with a knee injury. The game got off to a rapid start with both sides looking for an early advantage. Jonathan Eccles’ cross gave Diarmaid Fullerton an early chance but his header went over. Declan Kearney’s free for Gleneely found Barry Diver but Liam O’ Donnell in the Hearts net managed to get to the ball. |
 |
|
Buncrana hit back with a
free kick from Simon McGrory that the midfielder hit too
slowly making it easy for Kris Duffy. Buncrana were
enjoying a lot of pressure in the first 15 minutes but
Gleneely were still potent with Ronan Kearney forcing
O’Donnell into action more than once. Gleneely came into
the game more as the half went on and Declan Kearney
nearly put the home side in the lead with a well-hit
free kick but O’Donnell in the Buncrana net produced an
equally good save. The half was all action with both sides having good opportunities, it seemed the opening goal would be a case of when and not if. Gleneely were having their best chances from set pieces flooding the away penalty area. Buncrana were using their pace to bother the Gleneely backline. |
 |
The opener came in the dying minutes of the first half
and went to the home side. Declan Kearney played a high
ball in from the half way line Ronan Kearney managed to
shrug off Diarmaid Fullerton and clinically finished
past O’Donnell to put the home side one up at the
interval. Gleneely had a great chance to double their lead minutes after the interval. Keith McLaughlin sent a great ball to Ronan Kearney who somehow managed to side foot wide from five yards while one-on-one with the keeper. Gleneely were made to rue that miss minutes later when Buncrana levelled. Martin Bradley worked the ball through to Pauric O’Flaherty who smashed a wonderful effort into the top right hand corner giving Kris Duffy no chance. Regaining parity seemed to inspire Buncrana who enjoyed a sustained period of pressure against the hosts with Craig Bradley having more than one good chance. Gleneely were still very much in the game and Declan Kearney almost put them in front with a 20-yard effort that went narrowly wide. The match was not without its humour however as Buncrana right back Darren McGlynn performed a perfect rugby tackle on Barry Kearney which earned him a booking but unfortunately not a call up for Ireland’s Six Nations squad. |
|
With the clock running down
both sides threw caution to the wind in search of a
winner. Both teams had excellent chances to win with
Fletcher forcing Duffy to save and Declan Kearney’s free
kicks causing problems for the away team. Near the end the home side almost stole the points when Ronan Kearney became provider for Declan Kearney, with sub goalie Adrian Doherty way off his line, Kearney was very unlucky to see his shot cannon off the post before being cleared. Gleneely Colts: Kris Duffy, Stephen McLaughlin, Eddie McNamee, Neal G Duffy, Barry Kearney, Barry Diver, Keith McLaughlin, Declan Kearney, Gavin McLaughlin (Iarlaith McLaughlin), Ronan Kearney, Jason McElhinney (James Gray). Sub not used: Hugh Kelly. Buncrana Hearts: Liam O’Donnell (Adrian Doherty), Darren McGlynn (Seanan Murphy), Conor McConnell, Diarmaid Fullerton, Michael Caldwell, Craig Bradley, Tommie Caldwell, Simon McGrory, Pauric O’Flaherty, Martin Bradley (Patrick Fletcher), Jonathan Eccles. Subs not used: Mark McGonagle, Michael Doherty, James O’Donnell. For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
|
| Return to > News |
 |