Brian McCormick Sports Cup Donegal Town Area 1/4 Final :: Donegal Town 1-0 Copany Rovers (A.E.T.) - ( Comments:
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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.
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.
This opening match of the season in the Sportsmans Cup was a competitive affair.
Both teams were hard to separate with Donegal having the better of the goal chances in the first half. On 10 minutes Stevie Cornin had a great chance but headed over from inside the box. Copany came back strong and on the half hour forced a fine save from the Donegal keeper Mc Cafferty.
The second half started with Copany coming close on five minutes when a stray pass in midfield let in the Copany attacker but his effort blazed wide at the far post.
Donegal responded well and had several good chances but failed to convert with Copany keeper Gary Ward pulling off a fine save from an effort from Terry Doherty. Both sides tried hard in bad weather conditions but failed to score and the game was forced into extra time.
The first period of extra time was more of the same with both teams failing to find the net. Copany started the better and had two good chances to go ahead in the second period but Donegal broke the deadlock with a goal from Conor Mc Daid when he lobbed the keeper from close range with 5 minutes remaining.
Best for Donegal T Doherty and Paddy Ward and Alan Mc Girr and Gary Ward were best for Copany.
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Copany Rovers 0
(After extra time)
This opening match of the season in the Sportsmans Cup was a competitive affair.
Both teams were hard to separate with Donegal having the better of the goal chances in the first half. On 10 minutes Stevie Cornin had a great chance but headed over from inside the box. Copany came back strong and on the half hour forced a fine save from the Donegal keeper Mc Cafferty.
The second half started with Copany coming close on five minutes when a stray pass in midfield let in the Copany attacker but his effort blazed wide at the far post.
Donegal responded well and had several good chances but failed to convert with Copany keeper Gary Ward pulling off a fine save from an effort from Terry Doherty. Both sides tried hard in bad weather conditions but failed to score and the game was forced into extra time.
The first period of extra time was more of the same with both teams failing to find the net. Copany started the better and had two good chances to go ahead in the second period but Donegal broke the deadlock with a goal from Conor Mc Daid when he lobbed the keeper from close range with 5 minutes remaining.
Best for Donegal T Doherty and Paddy Ward and Alan Mc Girr and Gary Ward were best for Copany.
Referee: S Mc Groary.