McNamee goal the only decider as Bonagee defeated Derry City Reserves
Tony McNamee scored the only goal of the game as Bonagee United return to League Cup final
Tony McNamee’s goal, eleven minutes into the second half, took Bonagee United into the final of the Donegal News USL League Cup.
Bonagee United 1
Derry City Reserves 0
McNamee’s strike, which arrived not without good fortune, was the sole arbitrator as Jason Gibson’s team saw off a youthful Derry City Reserves.
When Oisin Gibson, the Derry City goalkeeper, saved from Jamie Lynagh’s shot, McNamee blocked down an attempted clearance, diverting the ball across the goal line in the process.
It was all that was between them on a night when Bonagee were firmly on top without putting their opponents to bed.
An injury that forced McNamee off later in the night will perhaps be of more pressing concern to Bonagee, who have an Intermediate Cup quarter-final date with Rockmount to come in early April.
Derry might’ve opened the scoring 17 minutes in, but Oisin Cannon did well to turn wide an attempt by Tiernan McKinney, who latched onto Rory O’Donnell’s invite.
Soon after, McNamee called Gibson into action at the other end, but the shot was too timid to trouble the visiting goalkeeper.
McNamee stabbed another attempt into Gibson’s midriff and Jordan Armstrong saw his effort palmed away by Gibson.
Just before half-time, Jack Parke fired over and the stalemate was intact at the interval.
Bonagee began the second half with real purpose and Micheál Doherty flashed wide five minutes in.
McNamee broke the deadlock in the 56th minute but, just six minutes later, was helped from the pitch after going over on an ankle.
Late in the game, Garbhan Grant riffled wide and, five minutes into added time, Deano Larkin slalomed in, but Gibson saved.
Bonagee United: Oisin Cannon, Jack Parke, Jamie Lynagh, Gareth Breslin, Packie Mailey, Dan O’Donnell, Micheál Doherty, Gareth Harkin, Tony McNamee (Garbhan Grant 62), Deano Larkin, Jordan Armstrong (Peter Carr 80).
Derry City Reserves: Oisin Gibson, Daithi McCallion (Leon Boyce 35), Matty Walker, Zach McFadden, Adam Duffy, Darragh McCloskey, Rory O’Donnell, Ronan McAleer, Callum Gillen (Paul Johnson 75), Conal McGarrigle, Tiernan McKinney.
Referee: Liam McLaughlin.