Classy Cockhill Celtic add more silverware at the expense of Greencastle FC 

Cockhill Celtic, fresh from their FAI Junior Cup final success, added more silverware to the cabinet on Saturday evening as they picked up the Clubsman Shirts League Cup with a comfortable 5-0 victory over Greencastle FC.

John Quigg’s outfit did well enough in the first period but were cruelly undone deep into injury time as Lee McColgan netted. And with the same player doubling his side’s advantage soon after the restart, the floodgates opened. 

Recently crowned Inishowen Premier Division champions Cockhill could have been forgiven for looking a little fatigued early on. But at a sunkissed Maginn Park, it was still Gavin Cullen’s charges that appeared the liveliest early on. 

On nine minutes, Luke Rudden volleyed over from outside the area after Corey McBride did well on the outside right. 

Moments later, and with Greencastle stopper Colan McGrory failing to clear his lines, McColgan’s first-time effort just didn’t have the required height and McGrory recovered. 

It took until the 19th minute for Greencastle to threaten when Garvin Harkin’s direct ball over the top looked to put Nigal McMonagle through. However, a quick offside flag went up that Greencastle were right to feel a little aggrieved with. 

Growing into the game, Greencastle’s Seamus McLaughlin did superb on the right flank to draw the free from McColgan. 

However, the resulting kick came to nothing. Five minutes from the break it was McLaughlin again causing bother as he flashed one across Harry Doherty’s goal. 

The player was again deemed to be in an offside position but with Peter Doherty impeding McMonagle in the lead up, another freekick in a dangerous position, just outside the box, was awarded to Greencastle. 

Michael Henry took on the responsibility and floated just over the upright with Doherty rooted to the spot. 

Moving into added time at the end of the first period, Greencastle’s Michael Barr did so well to clear off his own line as Rudden’s deflected effort dipped just under the crossbar. 

But six minutes into injury time, a Corey McBride corner fell kindly to McColgan, inside the area, and he scooped home first time to the back of the net. 

The second half was less than three minutes old when McColgan grabbed his and his side’s second. McBride’s corner went deep to the back post and with McColgan arriving late, he nodded home. 

Soon after, Greencastle again were the victims of a tight offside call as Christopher Diver looked to thread McMonagle in. On 57 minutes, McGrory did very well to tip over Jack Mullan’s clip from distance. 

But the Greencastle netminder stood no chance whatsoever soon after when Jay Bradley let fly from 25 yards with a strike that nestled sweetly in the top left hand corner of the net. 

Things got even better for Cockhill on the hour mark when Garbhan Griel’s parried strike fell kindly in front of goal for McBride to roll home a fourth. 

And seven minutes out from the end, McBride also grabbed a second to round off a comprehensive win for a dominant Cockhill.  

Cockhill Celtic: Harry Doherty; Lee McLoughlin, Peter Doherty, Oisin McColgan (Brendan McLaughlin, 59), Lee McColgan; Joey Bradley (Conor Graham, 71), Jack Mullan, Jack Doherty (Jack McKinney, 71), Luke Rudden (Liam Grant, 71); Garbhan Friel (Paddy McLaughlin, 71), Corey McBride. 

Greencastle FC: Caolan McGrory; Rory O’Donnell, Garvin Harkin, Paul Clifford, Michael Henry; Odhran Kennedy (Jamie McCormick, ht), James Henry, Michael Barr, Seamus McLaughlin; Nigel McMonagle, Christopher Diver. 

Referee: Danny McLaughlin.