Brian McCormick Sports Cup Donegal Town Area 1/4 Final

23/08/09 @ 2:00PM
Donegal Town 1-0 Copany Rovers (A.E.T.)
Venue: Lakeside Center, Ballyshannon

It took a late goal, five minutes from the end of extra time, for Donegal Town to advance to the Donegal Town Area Semi-Final of the Brian McCormick Sports Cup, in a fixture played on the artificial surface of the Lakeside Center at Ballyshannon in wet conditions.

It took a late goal, five minutes from the end of extra time, for Donegal Town to advance to the Donegal Town Area Semi-Final of the Brian McCormick Sports Cup, in a fixture played on the artificial surface of the Lakeside Center at Ballyshannon in wet conditions.

Donegal Town were first to settle to the synthetic pitch, and dominated proceedings from the off, knocking the ball about much better than The Cobras in the opening stages of the game.

However, despite this, chances at both ends were at a premium in the first half, and the score remained goalless at half time.

Donegal had a real chance to open the scoring on 56 minutes, but Copany stopper Gary Ward made an outstanding save to ensure matters were levelled.

Despite Donegal Town being the more accomplished side on the ball for pretty much the whole game, Copany's quick counter attacks caused some problems, and as dangerman David Graham grew more into the game, it left for a gripping contest.

Copany had three shouts for penalties over the course of the game, but saw all waved away by the referee. As the game entered the closing stages of extra time, James Walsh's pass was intercepted by the right-winger, who knocked the ball through for the striker, and he clipped the ball over the outrushing Copany keeper to ensure Donegal will be in the next stage of the competition, where they shall face Drumbar United on Wednesday night.

Strong team performance from Donegal, Copany were best served by Gary McCafferty, who grew into the game strongly at right-back and marshalled the dangerous Terry O'Doherty admirably.

Referee: Seamus McGroary

Copany Team:
GK - Gary Ward
RB - Gary McCafferty
LB - James Walsh
CB - William Given
CB - Alan McGirr
CM - Nick Maskery
CM - Aaron Scott ©
RM - Darryl Duncan
LM - David Graham
CF - John Kerrigan
CF - Padraig Rooney

Subs:
Conal Rooney for John Kerrigan (96)
Francie Johnston for Darryl Duncan (104)