| Former
Northern Ireland boss Billy Bingham, NI U21 manager
Roy Millar and IFA Chief Executive Howard Wells were
treated to an exciting and eventful day at Donegal
Celtic Park today as the Glens drew 3-3 with
DC. The IFA dignitaries were also joined by
Gary Hamilton, Kyle Neill, Philip Simpson and Sean
Ward all watching from the stand due to injuries.
While not all
points went to the Glens, the match was highly
spirited and without doubt a great advertisement for
the local game.
The first goal of
the game came after just 43 seconds giving Glentoran
the early lead. Young right-back Jamie
McGovern drifted forward showing his attacking capacities
with a dangerous pass into the edge of the 6-yard
box. The DC defence couldn't seem to clear the
ball away as David Scullion pounced on the loose
ball and hammered home from close range. At
1-0 it seemed like all 3 points were going back to
East Belfast.
However, Donegal
Celtic proved that they are a force to be reckoned
with this season. They immediately fought back
and 10 minutes later equalised through Paul McDonald
in the first of five goals from corner kicks.
Gargan's cross eluded the Glentoran defence and met
with McDonald's head to draw level.
The Glens at this
point were still on the attack as just 2 minutes
later, David Scullion again took the lead for the
away side. The goal, again from a corner kick,
was turned in at the near post by the head of the
young winger. The game was back on track for
the Glens, however, once again a battling DC side
would make life much more difficult.
Celtic drew level
just a minute later, but this time directly from the
corner kick. The second equaliser for DC
sailed right over the defence and in at the back
post as an outstretched Michael Dougherty failed to
get a hand to it.
The game finally
started to settle down and with the Glens not able
to get into a rhythm DC were interrupting any
forward approach play.
As the game neared
the 2nd half it was Donegal Celtic who would shock
the away side by taking the lead for the first time
of the game.
On 40 minutes,
another Celtic corner was met by the head of Ciaran
Donaghy. The looping header sailed over the
defence and while Michael Dougherty managed to
scramble the ball clear, both the referee and his
assistant had ruled the ball to be over the line.
Going into the 2nd
half on the wrong end of a 3-2 score line, Alan McDonald
made two substitutions, bringing on Rory Hamill and
Ryan Berry for Chris Morgan and Dean
Fitzgerald. The two subs sparked a revival for
the Glens as they finally got into their stride and
began playing much more attractive and flowing
football.
Despite having the
better chances and looking refreshed in the 2nd
half, it took the Glens up to the 66th minute to get
the equaliser. David Scullion sealed his hat
trick again from a corner as he appeared as if from
nowhere to stun the DC goalkeeper at his near
post. Scullion headed in as the defence could
only watch and marvel at his pace.
As the game drew to
a close, BJ McMenamin came off the bench for Michael
Ward as scullion moved on to the right wing.
The two almost instantly linked up for a goalscoring
opportunity. Scullion, this time on the right
wing managed to beat his marker while McMenamin's
pace took him into the box, alone and awaiting the
ball for what would have been an easy goal.
However the Celtic defence scrambled back to block
the pass and clear the ball.
McMemamin definitely
boosted the team as the Glens went on the attack to
salvage the full 3 points. Unfortunately it
wasn't to be and the Glens left Donegal Celtic Park
again without the desired result.
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