Hastings Cup: Monaghan 4-11 Louth 0-7
MONAGHAN retained their 100 per cent record and moved to the top of the table in their Hasting Cup section with this thoroughly-deserved win over Louth at Reaghstown.
On the day Louth simply had no answer to the power and poise of the visitors and but for the heavy underfoot conditions, some overelaboration at times and it must be said some good defending particularly by Sean Curran, Colin Goss and Colin Hoey for Louth they might well have won by an even greater margin.
The defence with Paraic McKenna back in action was almost watertight while James McElroy and John Paul Mone held a vice-like grip in midfield thus keeping Louth back peddling for most of the hour.
In attack John McDaid emerged as the star of the show, revelling in his role of full-forward and finishing with a personal tally of 2-6 as well as playing provider for other scores.
Monaghan: J Sullivan, C Flanagan, P Coyle, P McKenna, D Mullen, K McQuaid, D Connolly, J McElroy (0-1), JP Mone, G McKitterick (0-1), N Clerkin (0-1), J Mone, A Callan (1-0), J McDaid (2-6), C Tavey (1- 0).
Subs: S McManus (0-2) for C Tavey, G Leonard for A Callan, P McQuigan for D Mullen.
Louth: S Reynolds, S Curran, B Reilly, C Doyle, C Hoey, C Goss, I Quinn, J Clerkin, P Murray, D Bailey, R Kelly, L Boylan, T Baylon, T Carr (0-1), N Sharkey (0-6).
Subs: B O’Hanlon for L Boylan, R Phillips for T Carr, E Boyle for D Bailey.
Referee: J McKee (Armagh)
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Hastings Cup: Donegal 0-8 Cavan 2-4
Meanwhile, Martin Lynch and his Cavan U21 charges showed little effects of last week’s senior managerial/county board turmoil against a mediocre Donegal side in an even more mediocre U21 Hastings Cup tie at a miserable Ballybofey.
Two first-half goals effectively quenched Donegal’s tepid resistance – although the home side were minus outstanding forward Michael Hegarty and his senior colleague Eamonn Reddin.
But, a tremendously committed Cavan side took both goals with devastating aplomb.
Tiny Breffni corner forward Paul Galligan finished a great three-man move with a beautifully placed shot under the diving body of Donegal keeper Paul McGettigan. Wing forward Declan Fitzgerald then rifled home from 15 yards after taking a clever pass from the outstanding Edmond Reilly.
Donegal: P McGettigan, D McGlinchey, S O’Donnell, B Boyle, G Cannon, G Ward, R Sweeney, C Browne, S Ward, B Browne, D Monaghan, J P Boyle, J P Gallagher (0-3), A Gallagher (0-3), J McCafferty (0-2).
Subs: R Mulligan (for D McGlinchey), A McClafferty (G Cannon), D McGinley (B Browne).
Cavan: F McGovern, A Carroll, F McHugh, J Reilly, B Reilly, S Smith, C Oates, C Collins (0-1), T Mallon, E Reilly, D Fitzgerald (1-1), P Galligan (1-1), H Smith, F Reilly (0-2).
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CLIFTONVILLE have granted a free transfer to championship-winning keeper Paul Reece - and the man who hastened his departure could also be leaving Solitude. Michael Ingham is interesting a number of English league clubs, at least one of which is ready to make a bid to secure the services of the prodigious 18-year-old.
“English clubs are starting to take notice,” said Reds manager Marty Quinn, “and one is prepared at this stage to make an offer if they can have Michael for the start of next season.”
Ambitious Birmingham City, currently second in the First Division, have already declared an interest in the St Malachy’s College pupil, as reported in the Irish News on Christmas Eve.
Nottingham-born Reece is also hoping to attract the attention of English clubs after Quinn agreed to release him on a free.
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IRISH exiles are gathering on the internet in support of the campaign for the reestablishment of Belfast Celtic.
The campaign in the form of a new internet mailing list already has members from as far afield as Norway, the US, Australia and South Africa. The Belfast Celtic team was a huge force in Irish football until it was forced out of competition in 1949. December 27th 1998 was the 50th anniversary of the game against Linfield which led to Celtic’s dramatic withdrawal from the Irish league.
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FAI Harp Lager Cup first round: Longford 0 Derry City 1
DERRY CITY jumped over a potential landmine as they booked their place in the second round of the FAI Cup. A rare goal by defender Darren Kelly was enough to see City pass Longford Town on a difficult Strokestown surface. City boss Kevin Mahon was able to welcome back Paul Hegarty to the centre of midfield, at the expense of the ball-playing Martin McCann. And his combative abilities were needed as Derry went through by the narrowest of margins. The winning goal came midway through the first half when Kelly played a neat one-two with Liam Coyle before casually stroking the ball into the net.
It wasn’t all good news for Derry however. They lost the influential Liam Coyle through injury in the 60th minute, putting his availability for Friday night’s game against Bohemians in Dublin into doubt.
Longford: O’Brien, Flanagan, Byrne, V Perth, Thompson, McAnally, Kenny, P Perth, Farrell, Deller, Lundy
Subs: Kavanagh for Lundy (60 mins), Vaughan for V Perth (80 mins), Poland for Flanagan (80 mins).
Derry City: Platt, Doherty, D Kelly, M Kelly, Hutton, Curran, Hegarty, Beckett, Coyle, Hargan, McHugh
Subs: Gilmore for Coyle (60 mins), McCaul for McHugh (90 mins).
Referee: Joe Cassidy (Athlone).
