DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE – THE FULL ROUND-UP FROM THE WEEKEND
RESULTS
Old Orchard Inn Division One
Glencar Celtic 2 v 2 Fintown Harps AFC
Glenea United Reserves 4 v 1 Ramelton Mariners
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 2 v 1 Erne Wanderers
Mulroy Celtic 6 v 1 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
Glencar Inn Division Two
Keadue Rovers Reserves 1 v 2 Downtown United
Glenree United Reserves 0 v 1 Cranford United Reserves
Downtown Cup Group A
Tullyvinney Rovers 1 v 2 Milford United Reserves
Downtown Cup Group C
Deele Harps 5 v 0 Gweedore United Reserves
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Milford United 0 v 1 Glenea United
Gweedore Celtic 2 v 1 Kilmacrennan Celtic
Castlefin Celtic 0 v 4 St. Catherines
Watson Hire Division One
Eany Celtic 2 v 2 Curragh Athletic
Keadue Rovers 2 v 1 Drumoghill FC
Cranford United 6 v 0 Raphoe Town
CT Ball Division Two
Gweedore United 10 v 0 Convoy Arsenal
Bonagee United 2 v 2 Dunlewy Celtic
Ulster Junior Cup
Lifford Celtic 2 v 1 Greencastle FC
DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
REPORTS
Old Orchard Inn Division One
Glencar Celtic 2 Fintown Harps AFC 2
NO REPORT
Glenea United Reserves 4 Ramelton Mariners 1
Glenea Reserves continued their good run of form with this hard earned victory. In an even 1st half both sides were battling to get control of the game and it was the away side that took the lead on 25 minutes when after a quick break Gavin Mackie got onto the through pass and he slotted the ball home. Glenea were back on level terms within 2 minutes when Edward Muldowney slid the ball through the defence and Shane Ferry dispatched the ball to the net. Both sides went close to taking the lead with the woodwork denying both sides. The 2nd half started in a similar fashion to the 1st until the 60th minute when the away keeper was sent off for a last man foul. Glenea started to take control of the game and were awarded a penalty on 65 minutes when Tommy Rodgers was fouled in the box and Martin Maguire converted the spot kick. Maguire increased Glenea’s lead with a great strike from 25 yards. Not to be outdone Ferry got his 2nd goal of the game with a great strike from 30 yards
Best for Glenea were Martin Maguire and Shane Ferry, while it was a team effort from the Mariners
Referee: Denis O’Donnell
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 2 Erne Wanderers 1
Castlefin overcame table-toppers Erne Wanderers in a hard fought game in Parkview on Saturday. In the 10th minute Castlefin created the first opening with Brain Dooher having his shot well saved by the visiting keeper and the rebound was cleared off the line by an Erne defender. The game turned into a midfield battle with few chances being created. In the 44th minute Erne took the lead when Michael Ward crossed for Dermot Slevin to tap home. In the early stages of the second half the game changed with an Erne defender receiving a red card for a late challenge. Castlefin upped their game and in the 65th minute Stephen Lafferty had a header cleared off the line. Castlefin equalised in the 70th minute when a pinpoint cross by Thomas Devlin was headed home by Mark Lafferty. The home team continued to press and their efforts were rewarded when James Mc Menamin’s shot flew into the top corner from 20 yards with 3 minutes remaining. Good team performances. Referee: Marty Quinn
Mulroy Celtic 6 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 1
Both teams took to the field in near perfect weather conditions for football in what was billed as a relegation six pointer. The home team started strong and created chances from the off, Griffin a constant menace up front with his trickery and pace. The first goal came after a long kick out from stand in keeper Eamon Sweeney was chased all the way by Friel and his battling paid off as he beat the keeper to the ball and dispatched the ball neatly into the empty net. The away side struggled to break out of their own half at times. Friel was very unlucky not to add to his tally when he hit a dipping drive from outside the area only for the keeper to pull off a great save. The second goal soon followed when the impressive Shane Sweeney lobbed the keeper from twenty yards. It was inevitable Griffin was going to get on the score-sheet, he raced clear onto a Dougie through ball and passed it past the keeper. His second really showed his class when he again ran onto another through ball, Sweeney the provider this time, got the ball under control and delightfully chipped the advancing keeper. The score remained four nil until half time. Mulroy’s Achilles heel has definitely been, slow out of the blocks, in the second half of matches. Kilmac struck back five minutes into the second half when very slack defending resulted in a free kick been allowed to hang in the eighteen yard box and Doc headed the ball into the bottom corner. Mulroy let their guard down and it looked like they were going to let their opponents back into the game when a cross flashed across the six yard box, but it fizzled out for a goal kick. Mulroy regained control when they made a few changes. One of these to hit the ground running was Packie who with his first touch threaded a great ball to Mark who wrong footed the keeper from outside the area to complete his hat-trick. Packie got in on the scoring act himself when he struck to the roof of the net from inside the area. There the scoring concluded. The home side delighted to get all three points to lift them off the foot of the table. Colin Talbot, Paul Sonic Coyle, Shane Sweeney and Mark Griffin impressed for Mulroy, Shaun O’ Donnell and Rab and the goalkeeper served the away side well.
Glencar Inn Division Two
Keadue Rovers Reserves 1 Downtown United 2
Downtown went away from Central Park with all three points from this Saturday League game. Played in ideal conditions, both sides started brightly creating a chance each in the opening five minutes. It was Downtown who went ahead on ten minutes, a shot from the edge of the area by Stephen Toye giving them the lead. The home team kept pressing away and as the half went on were creating plenty of chances, Conor Greene missing a great chance on twenty minutes and Darren Gallagher shooting over after a good run on the half hour. Downtown had a good spell after that but it was Keadue who equalised on thirty three minutes when Darragh Hanlon’s excellent cross was met by Damian Hanlon at the far post. For the remainder of the first half Keadue remained well on top and were unlucky not to go in ahead at the break. In the second half the game became a scrappier and it wasn’t until the hour mark that a chance emerged. It fell to the away side but was missed when well positioned. Despite the hosts having most of the possession it was Downtown who regained the lead on seventy three minutes when Charlie Creevy reacted well to a ball over the top before smashing home from close range. From there on Keadue were well on top but despite a few efforts from Donal Rodgers and plenty of play round the box they couldn’t get the equaliser. Tempers became a bit frayed at the end and Downtown were reduced to ten men after a goalmouth scuffle. A good firm game with team performances from both sides. Referee: John Sheamus O’Fearraigh
Glenree United Reserves 0 Cranford United Reserves 1
On a mild day in Glenree Park it was near perfect conditions for the derby match. The first half was evenly matched with Glenree having the better chances. Damien Nelis was unlucky to see his header cleared off the line. It was the highlight of the first half action. The second half, at times, turned into a hacking match with little entertaining football been played. Against the run of play Cranford opened the scoring on 70minutes when Conor Doherty swung in a cross which ended up in the net. The home side pushed for an equaliser but it was not to be their day when the away keeper pulled off a few fine saves. In the last few moments Glenree must have thought they had got a well deserved share of the spoils only for Nelis to see his header cleared off the line again. The match ended with the away side leaving with the three points.
Downtown Cup Group A
Tullyvinney Rovers 1 Milford United Reserves 2
Played under heavy conditions Milford emerged the winner over a much improved Tullyvinney side. Tullyvinney opened the scoring when a free kick on the right was swung in by Garvan Tinney. It was too strong for the Milford keeper to hold on to. The ball was parried out to the inrushing Martin Alexander who scored from six yards. In a ten minute period before half time the game was going in the visitors favour when Aidan O’ Donnell broke the offside trap and scored a fine goal with a shot from twelve yards out. In the thirty-eighth minute, after good work down the left wing, Lee Burke scored with a fine shot. In the forty-second minute Tullyvinney had a good chance to score when Adam Gardiner struck the crossbar with a header. The score at half time was 2-1 to Milford. In the second half it was all one way traffic with Tullyvinney created numerous chances but failing to score. The best of which was when Jonny Corcoran unleashed a fierce shot which hit the butt of the upright and bounced clear. In the eightieth minute Martin Alexander had the ball in the back of the net but was ruled offside.
Great team effort from both teams. Referee: Seamus Mc Grory
Downtown Cup Group C
Deele Harps 5 Gweedore United Reserves 0
Deele welcomed Gweedore United to The Athletic Grounds on a fine day for football. The home side were in control from the start with Christopher Roulstone in the Deele goal barely called into any action in the game. Shane Gallagher was again outstanding grabbing a hat trick, which included a couple of penalties either side of half time, both times Aidy Gallagher was brought down in the box. Aidy Gallagher also grabbed a brace , a 30th minute free kick from 20 yards and a sublime chip over the keeper on 65 minutes, but Gweedore were outplayed all over the pitch by a great team performance from the home side with Shane Gallagher standing out for his work rate and goals.
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Milford United 0 Glenea United 1
Milford United were defeated by a hard working, well organised Glenea United side who showed the credentials of Champions as they ground out a valuable three points. This game was played at a high tempo with the home side chasing a much needed victory. Ciaran Mc Ginley failed to convert PJ Hagan’s cross on 29 minutes when he was well positioned to score. Caolan Mc Gettigan made a fine save from Michael Barry in the first half. Denis Boyle got the winning goal for Glenea with fifteen minutes remaining when his well floated free kick eluded everyone on it’s way, via the post, to the net. Milford pushed for an equaliser with Mark Flood and Peter Doherty having chances but all to no avail. Referee: Vincent Mc Laughlin
Gweedore Celtic 2 Kilmacrennan Celtic 1
Two goals from Cathal Mulligan helped ease Gweedore’s relegation worries and dent Kilmacrennan’s title aspirations. A goal in the 2nd minute of each half set the foundation for this victory. Gweedore started brightly and it was no surprise when they took an early lead. Jambo Boyle played the ball to John Walsh who set up Mulligan for the opening goal. They could have had a second when Mulligan was just off target. After sustained pressure from Gweedore it was Kilmac who nearly drew level when Eddie Doherty had their best effort after 30 minutes.
The second half was only seconds old when a Diver cross was headed wide by Mulligan but he made amends later on when he got on the end of a Diver cross to make it two nil. After this the away team upped their game and sub Kevin Mc Menamin started pulling the strings in midfield. After 60 minutes Eddie Doherty pulled a goal back from a through ball by Timmy Burke. Despite putting the home team under pressure Kilmac could not create another opening and Gweedore held out for a deserved victory.
Good team effort from Gweedore with Cathal Mulligan the outstanding performer. For Kilmac Eddie Doherty and Timmy Burke were best. Referee: Kevin Logue
Castlefin Celtic 0 St. Catherines 4
Castlefin suffered another home defeat this time at the hands of St.Catherine’s in blustery conditions at Parkview on Sunday. The visitors took the lead in the 13th minute when Dan Breslin capitalised on sloppy defending to slot home. Castlefin began to press but their efforts came to no avail. In the 46th minute St Catherine’s doubled their lead when a Brendan Maguire free from the left was deflected into the net by a Castlefin defender. In the 60th minute the visitors increased their lead when Shane O’Rourke broke down the right and crossed for Dan Breslin who finished well. Castlefin failed to create any clear cut chances and the visitors sealed the victory when Luke Kelly finished well with three minutes remaining.
Team Performances Referee: Marty Mc Garrigle
Watson Hire Division One
Eany Celtic 2 Curragh Athletic 2
The visitors got off to the perfect start when Paddy Collins broke through the Eany defence to score from close range on 5 minutes. Eany came back into the game but despite a lot of hard work trailed at half time. Eany took up where they left off and kept the pressure on from the start of the second half with Barry Rose shooting wide from close range. Ryan Carlin then on the hour made a fine individual run and scored the second goal for the Curragh. Eany never gave up and got their just reward with James Flynn finding the net with ten minutes to go . Eany continued to dominate and got the equaliser on the ninetieth minute with Seamie Cannon scoring from a corner. John Rose went close to getting the winner that the Eany performance deserved when his header went over the bar. Referee: Ed Moore
Keadue Rovers 2 Drumoghill FC 1
Keadue had a hard fought victory over Drumoghill at Central Park on Sunday. The very windy conditions made playing very difficult and as a result it was a very scrappy game despite the best efforts of both sides. Keadue took the lead in the fifth minute, a ball over the top being chased down by Sean Boyle who rifled it home from close range. After the home team’s bright start, it was Drumoghill who began to get a grip of play by the half way point of the half. On twenty five minutes, Gerard Walsh’s good run and cross gave Doalty Boyle and Sean ‘Yank’ Boyle both chances but neither of them were taken. Towards half time again, Drumoghill were on top in possession but at apart from one chance where the ball was taken round the keeper and hit wide, the home side were reasonably comfortable. Into the second half it was still fairly scrappy up until the hour mark when Keadue had a couple of good set piece opportunities. Drumoghill kept battling away and were rewarded with twenty minutes left when a ball from the left into the box was met by Liam O’Donnell for a close range finish. Keadue reacted well to this and on seventy five minutes went ahead again when a corner was headed into his own net by John Madigan. The final ten minutes had Drumoghill chasing the game with good possession but no real chances while Keadue hit on the break, with the best chance coming to Sean Boyle who was clean through but put it past the post. A good win for the home side who continue their move up the table. Best for Drumoghill were Daniel Mc Cready and Carlos Rodgers while best for Keadue were Sean Bonner and Gerard Walsh.
Cranford United 6 Raphoe Town 0
Cranford ran out winners at home to Raphoe in this fixture played in
great conditions. The first half was very closely contested with only
a few half chances for Cranford but a penalty on 42 minutes allowed
Cranford to take the lead. Philip Buchanan slotted home and Cranford
led 1-0 at half time. Shaun Mc Elwaine doubled the advantage 5 minutes
into the second half when he headed home a Marty Mc Laughlin corner and
Micheal McGinley did the same 6 minutes after that following a super
Seamus Carr delivery. It became 4-0 when Micheal Mc Ginley ran through
from the half way line and drove home from 10 yards. A sweeping move
on 65 minutes involving Shaun Mc Elwaine, Chris Duffy and Chris Carr put
Buchanan through for his second and Cranford’s 5th and 4 minutes later
Paddy Mc Groddy headed home brilliantly to complete the scoring. Liam
Doherty was unlucky when his finish from 2 yards was disallowed for a
foul on the goalkeeper. Darren Kelly was best for Raphoe. Team effort
from the home side.
CT Ball Division Two
Gweedore United 10 Convoy Arsenal 0
This game, played in good conditions at Carrickboyle, saw the home side come away with the 3 points following a comprehensive display of football against Convoy. United took the lead after 3 minutes when Brian Gallagher’s well delivered free kick was headed to the back of the net by Michael Connolly. 4 minutes later Gallagher himself scored a free kick from 35 yards to make it 2-0. In the 8th minute Convoy got a penalty and Darren Harvey’s spot kick was excellently saved by Liam Mc Fadden in the Gweedore nets. Ciaran Mc Fadden put United 3 up in the 15th minute and Convoy hit the post in the 16th minute. Mc Fadden got his second and United’s fourth in the 24 minute after a good cross from Keith Sweeney. In the 30th minute Darren Ferry was pulled down in the Convoy area and Shane “Baggio” O Donnell converted the resulting penalty. Two minutes later Ciaran Mc Fadden got his hat-trick following good individual work to make it 6-0. In the 39th minute Michael Connolly got his 2nd with a good finish. In the 42nd minute Darren Ferry made it 8-0 with a good shot from 20 yards. In the second half United continued their good play and made it 9-0 in the 52 minute when Ciaran Mc Fadden got his fourth after a good run once again. In the 77th minute Frank Mc Gee made it 10-0 when he tapped home from close range following a good pass from Mc Fadden. Charlie Friel and Mickey Melaugh had good efforts in the closing stages but it wasn’t Convoy’s day. Keelan Gillen played well for Convoy with a good team performance from Gweedore United with Ciaran Mc Fadden outstanding.
Referee: Victor Rainey
Bonagee United 2 Dunlewy Celtic 2
Dunlewey took the lead in the fourth minute when a Free kick from the left was crossed into the box and the ball broke to Lorcan Gallagher who’s shot found the bottom corner of the net. Bonagee levelled the match on twenty seven minutes when Kevin Doran scored direct from a free kick wide on the left. Dunlewey took the lead again on forty eight minutes after a mix up in the Bonagee defence. The ball fell to John Cannon and he made no mistake from twelve yards. Bonagee made it two each on seventy minutes. Darren Coyle took on two defenders and shot home from just inside the box to the back of the net. Dunlewey had two good chances to score through Brendan Mc Geady and Christopher Cannon but Philip O’ Donnell in the Bonagee goal made two great saves. Shawn Crossan came close on eighty six minutes only to be denied by the Dunlewey keeper. Paddy Mc Laughlin for the home team saw his shot hit the crossbar on eighty eight minutes after a good through ball from Ross Hanlyn. Good team efforts by both sides. Referee: Liam Farren.
Ulster Junior Cup
Lifford Celtic 2 Greencastle FC 1
Greencastle started the brightest and had Lifford on the back foot for the opening half hour, they eventually got their reward when Ryan Mc Dermott got on the end of a deep cross to volley to the net giving Lee White no chance. Greencastle should have gone further ahead only for some fine saves from the Lifford keeper. Lifford got a foothold in the game on the stroke of half time when Mark Neeson finished to the top corner from 20 yards. The second half was more of an even contest with both sides pushing for a winner and creating plenty of chances. Lifford grabbed their second and the winner late in the game when JP O’ Mailey scored following a flowing move involving Laverty, Mc Brearty and Colin Carlin. Greencastle pushed for an equaliser but Lifford stood firm for the last 8 minutes to move into the next round. Best for Lifford was Gavin Gallagher, Best for Greencastle was James Henry.
DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
FIXTURES
SATURDAY 23-2-2013 K.O. 2 p.m. (Unless Stated)
Old Orchard Inn Division One
Castlefin Celtic Reserves v Ramelton Mariners
Erne Wanderers v Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
Glenea United Reserves v Mulroy Celtic
Glencar Inn Division Two
Tullyvinney Rovers v Glenree United Reserves
Donegal Town Reserves v Milford United Reserves
Keadue Rovers Reserves v Gweedore United Reserves
Downtown Cup Group C
Downtown United v Deele Harps
SUNDAY 24-2-2013 K.O. 2 p.m. (Unless Stated)
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Glenea United v Dunkineely Celtic
Gweedore Celtic v Rathmullan Celtic
Lifford Celtic v Lagan Harps
Watson Hire Division One
Donegal Town v Keadue Rovers
CT Ball Division Two
Drumbar United v Gweedore United
Kerrykeel’71 F.C. v Dunlewy Celtic
Convoy Arsenal v Copany Rovers
Bonagee United v Glenree United
Whitestrand United v Letterbarrow Celtic
Ulster Junior Cup K.O. 1.30 p.m.
Milford United v Lifford Celtic
Kilmacrennan Celtic v Killylough F.C.
Carndonagh F.C. v Curragh Athletic
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