By Matthew Wilson
Donegal Town FC 5
Gweedore Celtic 4
Donegal Town FC secured a 5-4 victory over Gweedore Celtic in a thrilling Ulster Youth Cup encounter in Killymard on Sunday afternoon.
The pair were level at 4-4 at the end of normal time but a strike from Oisin Ebbs in the second period of extra-time sealed the hosts’ progression to the next round.
Donegal Town got off to the perfect start in this encounter, hitting the front after just 30 seconds of play.
Callum Dorrian received the ball out wide and swung in a brilliant delivery which found the head of Jamie Ward who made no mistake from six yards.
On seven minutes, Gweedore Celtic had their first opportunity of the game as Charlie Gallagher intercepted Ethan McCrea and ran through on goal but Fintan James produced a good save to deny him.
Three minutes later though, the visitors did manage to draw level.
Adam McBride dispossessed Donegal Town’s Corey Monaghan in his own box and fired the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
The home side responded well and managed to regain the advantage three minutes later.
Daire Slevin played a brilliant diagonal ball into the path of Callum Dorrian who squared it to the awaiting Jamie Ward and he finished low into the corner for his second goal of the afternoon.
On the 18 minute mark, the sides were level for a second time as a long ball from the Gweedore Celtic backline found the run of Charlie Gallagher who darted towards goal and converted past the oncoming Fintan James.
The opening stanza of this cup clash continued to be a free-flowing affair and at the half hour mark, the away outfit took the lead for the first time.
Daire Sweeney fizzed the ball across the face of the Donegal Town goal and found Eoghan O’Donnell at the back post who rifled it home.
Eamonn Jordan’s side tried to hit back in the remainder of Act One but the visitors kept them at bay to lead at the break.
The third quarter proved to be a more subdued contest, with neither side able to create any clear-cut opportunities.
As we approached the final 25 minutes, the hosts began to increase the pressure on the Gweedore Celtic defence, with Oisin Ebbs, Daire Slevin and Callum Dorrian causing problems.
On 78 minutes, the Donegal Town men managed to find the opening goal of the second stanza to draw themselves level.
Substitute Gavin Doherty received the ball down the line and drove towards goal before shooting from an acute angle, with the ball deflecting off the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
This goal lifted the spirit of the home side and moments later, they found their fourth goal to take the lead.
Callum Dorrian saw his effort from outside the area saved by James Doherty but Jamie Ward was on-hand to slot home the rebound to complete his hat-trick.
However, the away outfit responded well and levelled proceedings once again on 85 minutes.
Tarlagh McGee cut the ball back into the path of midfielder Joey Coll who found the bottom corner of the net and extra-time was required to determine a winner.
The opening period of extra-time couldn’t provide a decisive moment but after just a minute of the second spell, the Donegal Town men found the back of the net.
Dylan Doherty delivered a brilliant ball into the box and Oisin Ebbs’s effort crossed the line despite James Doherty’s best efforts.
The Gweedore outfit tried to find a leveller in the closing stages but to no prevail and it was Eamonn Jordan’s side who secured the win to progress to next round of the cup.
Teams
Donegal Town: Fintan James; Ryan Mahon, Ethan McCrea, Corey Monaghan, Daithi McGinty; Thomas McHugh, Dylan Doherty, Daire Slevin; Callum Dorrian, Jamie Ward, Oisin Ebbs. Subs: Adam Campbell for Doherty (33 mins), Gavin Doherty for Mahon (67 mins), Owen Doherty for Dorrian (104 mins).
Gweedore Celtic: James Doherty, Jay Doherty, Seosamh Kelly, Patrick Pearse O’Donnell, Christopher McBride, Tarlach McBride, Eoghan O’Donnell, Joey Coll, Charlie Gallagher, Adam McBride, Dáire Sweeney. Subs: Tarlagh McGee for O’Donnell (74 mins), Nathan Gallagher and Fionn Greene for Jay Doherty and Kelly (82 mins).
Referee: Frankie Early.