Donegal Signs Division Two Knockout – Quarter Final
Cockhill Celtic Reserves – 5 (T Donaghey (3), A McLaughlin & G Breslin)
Rasheney Reserves – 1 (McConologue)
The opening exchanges of this match were very scrappy due to the strong windy conditions affecting both team’s early doors. However, it was Cockhill who took an early lead after 5 minutes with good play down the left between Mark Gillespie and Tristan Donaghy who fired in a good deep cross into the danger area which eluded everyone and found its way into the Rasheney net at the back post. Rasheney responded well and Alan Doherty forced a good save from Gary Robinson in the Cockhill net with a good strike from just outside the box. Rasheney didn’t have to wait too long to get back on level terms as on 10 minutes Nathan McConologue beat the offside trap to round Gary Robinson and even things up with a calm finish. With the strong wind continuing to make things difficult for both sides it was Cockhilll who worked the next opening and almost took the lead again when Andy McElhinney shot wide from five yards when well-placed after Gary Breslin knocked the ball down in to his path from a good cross by Cian Downey. Cockhill were starting to find their feet and continued pressure almost got them ahead but Adam McLaughlin’s twenty yard effort was deflected over on 25 minutes. From the resulting corner Martin Donaghy saw his header well saved. Cockhill’s pressure eventually paid off on the half hour mark as they worked the ball well down the left again to find Tristan Donaghy, his effort was on target and took a slight deflection off Rasheney’s Kevin Noone as it found its way in to the Rasheney net for his second goal of the game to give Cockhill a two one lead just before half time. Andy McElhinney almost made it three just before half time when he headed over an Adam McLaughlin free kick from five yards.
Thankfully the wind eased as the second half started allowing for a freer flowing match in the second half. Cockhill were first to threaten in the second half when Lee Carey forced a good save from Johnny Toland with a strike from just inside the edge of the box. As the wind picked up again, Cockhill’s Declan Kearney tried his luck from forty yards with the wind behind him, but his effort never troubled the Rasheeny keeper. Cockhill soaked up some pressure from Rasheeny but held firm with Shaun McDaid making some good challenges to halt the Rasheeny attacks and Martin Donaghy keeping the Cockhill back line well organised holding off Rasheeny as the pushed for an equaliser. On 70 minutes Cockhill edged further ahead when good pressure from Gary Breslin from the front forced allowed Tristan Donaghy to steal the ball ahead of Paul McConnelogue and was able to run through on goal and showed good composure to calmly slot the ball past Johnny Toland for his hat-trick to make it three one to Cockhill. Rasheeny almost pulled one back when they broke at pace on the counter from a Cockhill corner as Jack McLaughlin beat two men and was just about to shoot from outside the six yard box but a great tackle by Tristan Donaghy who had ran the length of the pitch to make the goal saving challenge. Cockhill all but finished the game off on 80 minutes when good work down the right between Cian Downey and Lee Carey opened up the Rasheeny defence and a good early ball in by Lee Carey found its way to Adam McLaughlin who slotted home to make it four one . On 83 minutes Cockhill made it five when Ryan Duffy found space down the left when played in by Gary Breslin and lobbed Johnny Toland from outside the left edge of the box with a speculative effort going in off the back post.