AIB Ulster Club JFC quarter-final: St Aidan’s, Magilligan (Derry ) 0-10 Downings (Donegal) 1-9
A GOAL six minutes before half-time proved the difference as Downings saw off Magilligan at Celtic Park yesterday.
The inside duo of Eric Roberts and Lorcan Connor gave the Donegal men a more potent attacking unit and that proved crucial.
They even had the luxury of Connor missing a penalty in first half stoppage-time.
Ten minutes into the second half, Magilligan were reduced to 14 men when Cathal McCrudden picked up a second booking.
The Derry champions found it difficult to find their inside forwards with Aaron Canning the only outlet in their half-forward line.
In the early stages Ciaran O’Hare’s kicking from frees helped Magilligan settle into the game. At the other end, wing-back Kevin Doherty and Roberts brought the game level at 0-2 each after 12 minutes.
O’Hare put Magilligan two points ahead before Downings got their goal.
Connor had a hand in the build-up, flicking the ball to Kevin Doherty and, after taking the return, Connor sped through before blasting to the net.
Magilligan breathed a sigh of relief on the stroke of half-time when Connor’s penalty flashed past Michael Doherty’s right-hand post, leaving the sides level at 0-5 to 1-2 at half-time.
Roberts and Magilligan goalkeeper Doherty swapped points early in the second half but the dynamic of the game changed course with the dismissal of McCrudden.
Downings were able to protect their defence, limiting Magilligan’s ability to find their full-forward line.
For much of the second half, Magilligan were well placed to grab a result but a two-minute spell turned the game in Downings’ favour.
Connor scored a 58th minute free and from the kick-out James Lee McBride set up the same player to put the Donegal men two points ahead.
Magilligan had a few opportunities late on but failed to take their chances and Downings held on to take their place in the semi-finals against Blackhill of Monaghan.
MATCH STATS
Magilligan: M Doherty (0-2 frees); C McLaughlin, L Gaile, M McLaughlin; E Canning, E Kelly, B Canning; C O’Hare (0-5, 0-4 frees), C McCrudden; B Butcher (0-1), A Canning, C Logue (0-1); M McIvor, J Payne, C Canning (0-1) Subs: C Kelly for C McLaughlin (35), A Doherty for C Canning (blood sub 33, reversed 36), A Doherty for J Payne (58), C McFeely for B Butcher (60).
Downings: C McBride; M Davis, S Coyle, B McBride; B McGinley, K McGee, K Doherty (0-1); S McBride, S McGinley; A Pasoma, C Gallagher, O Boyce; JL McBride (0-1), E Roberts (0-3), L Connor (1-4, 0-3 frees). Subs: G McClafferty for A Pasoma (34), F McClafferty for B McBride (40), A McClafferty for O Boyce (43), S Boyce for S McBride (49), B McNutt for E Roberts (63), J McBride for G McClafferty (66).
Referee: M Farrelly (Cavan)
