DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
REPORTS
SUNDAY
Ulster Junior Cup
Gweedore Celtic 1 Redcastle F.C. 0
A strong crossfield wind made conditions difficult but credit to both teams for serving up a good game of football. The home team should have been ahead as early as the first minute but Brendan Mc Geady scooped over from a yard out. Mc Geady turned provider on twenty five minutes when his cross wasn’t cleared and Chris Porter hit a great shot into the roof of the net. The home team were well on top for the rest of the half but could not extend the lead.
The second half was a more even affair. Michael McKelvey did well to block a good shot from a Redcastle forward and shortly after Cathal Campbell cleared off the line. As Redcastle pushed for an equaliser Gweedore were content to counter-attack with chances falling for Jamie Boyle, Declan Doherty and Tommy Diver. Diver must wonder how he failed to register on the score sheet with a number of great chances. Best for Gweedore Declan Doherty and Jamie Boyle.
A team performance from Redcastle. Referee: Kevin Logue
Milford United 2 Carndonagh F.C. 1
Milford United progressed to the next round of the Ulster Junior Cup when they defeated the holders, Carndonagh F.C., at the Flagpole Field in Rathmullan. Milford have enjoyed recent success in this competition, winning the Cup in 2012, and on this display they could be a good bet for the 2014 laurels. A strong swirling breeze didn’t make for pretty football but Milford handled the conditions well once they settled down. Gary Merritt showed early on that he was up for this game as he caused trouble for the visiting defence on numerous occasions in the opening exchanges. It was no surprise that he was the scorer when Milford took the lead just before the interval. His well placed shot giving Seamus Houghton no chance in the Carndonagh net.
The Inishowen side enjoyed their best spell at the start of the second half and in this period they found an equalising goal when Ronan Doherty fired home the rebound after Donacha Gallagher’s shot was parried out by Caolan Mc Gettigan in the home net. This was to be the visitor’s only goal as Milford controlled the match until the finish. They scored their winner from the penalty spot after Gary Merritt had been fouled by Cathal Doherty in the penalty area. Mark Flood making no mistake from twelve yards. Best for Milford: Gary Merritt, PJ Hagan and Mark Flood. Referee: Paddy Duffy
Dunree United 1 Lifford Celtic 2
Lifford Celtic made the trip to Dunree United on Sunday for an Ulster Junior Cup match against the local side. The game was scoreless at the interval but the Donegal Junior League side went on to claim a worthwhile victory. Goals from Stuart Carlin and Jonny Robb gave the Greenbrae men a comfortable second half lead. Dunree United did muster a late reply but their single goal wasn’t enough to prevent the Lifford outfit from progressing to the next round.
Gweedore United 2 Rathmullan Celtic 2 (a.e.t.)
(Gweedore United won 5-4 on penalties)
Gweedore United took full advantage of their floodlighting system on Saturday night when they hosted fellow Donegal Junior League side, Rathmullan Celtic, in the Ulster Junior Cup. Played in front of a sizeable attendance this was a pulsating affair from start to finish. The visitors took the lead on forty minutes when Niall Doherty sprung the Gweedore United off-side trap and finished heatedly past the home custodian Liam Mc Fadden. Hit by that late opening half strike Gweedore United didn’t allow the scoreline to deflate their ambitions. They emerged for the second half with all guns blazing. On fifty minutes Shane O’ Donnell levelled the scores when he curled a twenty five yard free-kick around the Rathmullan Celtic defensive wall beyond the reach of Shay Coyle in the visitor’s net. On sixty three minutes the home team went in front. Lee Ferry sent his right wing free-kick towards Coyle’s near hand post but before the ball could get to the waiting arms of the Rathmullan keeper Michael Connolly dived at full length to steer the ball into the net with his head. This goal was met with much applause by the Gweedore followers in the crowd and set up an exciting finish. Rathmullan equalised on eighty one minutes when Kevin Mc Carry bursts through the United defence and fired home. With neither team able to add to the scoreline during extra-time it went to penalties. Gweedore United prevailed by five goals to four from the twelve yard line. Best for Gweedore United: Shane O’ Donnell and Frank Mc Gee. Best for Rathmullan Celtic: Patrick Patton and Eamonn Sheridan. Referee: Mick Lagan.
Gweedore United Reserves 1 Aileach F.C. 2
This match played in terrible weather conditions saw the visitors advance to the next round of the shield following a tight encounter. Both sides had chances in the first half however Aileach broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute when Dermot Mc Glynn scored a good free kick from 25 yards. United had plenty of chances to equalise through Eoin Doohan, John Mc Fadden and Brian Gallagher however the Aileach keeper did well on each occasion and the score remained 1-0 until half time. In the 65th minute United got back on level terms when Stephen O’ Donnell finished well from close range following a good pass from Martin Doohan. Aileach were only behind for five minutes when they scored the winner through Liam Burke, a good individual effort. Good efforts for both sides in extremely poor weather conditions. Referee: Martin Quinn
Watson Hire Division One
Castlefin Celtic 1 Dunkineely Celtic 3
In this game reversed to Darney Park Dunkineely Celtic gained three valuable points in their effort to gain promotion back to the Premier Division. Played in very stormy conditions both teams struggled to take advantage when playing with the wind. Dunkineely had the wind at their backs in the first half and had the first effort on goal after nine minutes, Adrian Ward’s effort from twenty yards skimming the bar. Castlefin came into the game more after this and were playing some good controlled football into the wind. They forced a number of corners and Dunkineely were forced to defend desperately clearing one effort off the line and lucky to see another hit the post and go wide. Dunkineely failed to make the Castlefin keeper work during the first half and were lucky to go in at the break on level terms.
The second half followed the same pattern as the first. Dunkineely played much better football against the wind and Castlefin struggled to create clear cut chances with the advantage of the elements. On 55 minutes Andrew Mackey had a shot blocked when set up by Cian Kennedy. Dunkineely took the lead on 65 minutes when they broke quickly following a Castlefin corner. Andrew Mackey found Cian Kennedy with a great crossfield pass and he rounded the keeper before shooting home. They doubled their lead on 75 minutes when Andrew Mackey scored from close range after good work by Cian Kennedy. Castlefin got back into the game two minutes later when Emmet White scored from 12 yards. Dunkineely wrapped up the points on 85 minutes when Pauric Conaghan and Adrian Ward combined on the left wing to set up Adrian Nesbitt who scored from close range. Best for Castlefin: Emmet White and Mark Carlin while Adrian Ward and Andrew Mackey were best for Dunkineely. Referee: Marty Mc Garrigle.
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 3 Lagan Harps 0
Kerrykeel recorded a fine win over Lagan Harps on Sunday in windswept conditions. Both teams started well with Kevin Diver going close for Lagan and Fergal Friel for the ‘71. The deadlock was broken on twenty one minutes when Johnny Nanny scored from close range after a Seimie Coshia cross. On the stroke of half time Lagan thought they had drawn level when a long range free from the halfway line was headed towards goal by Brian Kelly only for Mark Mc Conigley to pull off an outstanding save. Marty Mc Ateer hit the post for the homeside on forty six minutes from a free kick on the edge of the box. Lagan kept pushing and again Kerrykeel had keeper Mark Mc Conigley to thank with another brilliant save. Kerrykeel hit Lagan on the counter attack and made it two on seventy three minutes when Marty Mc Ateer split the Lagan defence with a great ball and Johnny Nanny played in his brother Sparky to drill home. The points were made safe on eighty two minutes, this time Fergal Friel heading home a Kevin Loughrey cross. Best for Kerrykeel ‘71: Mark Mc Conigley, Johnny Nanny and Paddy Mc Grenaghan. Team effort from Lagan Harps. Referee: Mickey Mulhern
IMPORTANT FIXTURE NOTICE
The Downtown Cup match between Curragh Athletic Reserves and Fintown Harps AFC which was fixed for next Saturday 1st February has been brought forward and will now take place on Wednesday night next, 29th January at the New Camp in Killygordan, kick-off 7.30p.m.
DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
REPORTS
SATURDAY
On Saturday only three of the six scheduled games beat the weather as the county was hit on Friday by incessant overnight rain which, accompanied by strong winds, continued in many places throughout Saturday. The games that did go ahead however produced plenty of goals with four teams hitting three apiece and another recording two.
Old Orchard Saturday Division One
Glenea United Reserves 3 Castlefin Celtic Reserves 3
In wintry conditions Glenea and Castlefin did their best to keep the onlookers entertained. In the 1st half it was the border men that settled quickest and with the wind at their backs took control of the game. They took the lead on 20 minutes when Michael Griffin headed home Marcus Curran’s in swinging free-kick. Castlefin pushed hard to increase their lead but failed to take the chances that came their way and as the half progressed the home side came more into the game. In the 2nd half it was the away side that increased their lead with Michael Griffin converting a penalty after 50 minutes. Glenea pulled a goal back on the hour when Dean Gallagher headed home a Darren Mc Geever corner. The home side equalised on 65 minutes when Conor McGee headed home a Padraig McGee free-kick. Both sides pushed hard for a winner and on 85 minutes, Castlefin took the lead when a good counter attack left Mark Lafferty to slot the ball home. The home side were not to be denied however and in the final minute a Padraig McGee free-kick landed in the box and from the resultant scramble Mark Harley forced the ball home.
Best for Glenea were Shane Penrose and Dean Gallagher while Marcus Curran and Mark Lafferty were best for Castlefin. Referee: Michael McFadden.
Erne Wanderers 3 Mulroy Celtic 0
Erne Wanderers hosted Mulroy Celtic on Friday night at the lakeside under the lights. It was a game that the hosts totally dominated from start to finish and only for the heroics of the away keeper, Jerome Doherty, and some terrible finishing from Erne it really could have been in double figures. The first goal came on fifteen minutes when David Dolan got on the end of an Alan Russell through ball down the left channel and he made no mistake from eighteen yards shooting across the keeper into bottom corner. The remainder of the half saw the home team camped in Celtic’s half and saw chance after chance go abegging, much to the frustration of the home team. The second goal eventually arrived right on halftime when Michael McNulty blasted into the bottom corner from just inside the box. The second half started much the same with Erne on top and dominating possession and with the front three of Dolan, Spratt and McNeely all on deadly form they were always a huge threat. The third came through Michael McNeely on 70 minutes when he showed great feet to trick three Mulroy defender’s and leave them trailing and found the back of the net with a neat finish. Erne kept pushing for more but poor finishing and some great’ keeping kept the score at just three. Best for Erne was Dolan with Russell and Spratt not far behind him. Best for Mulroy was Jerome Doherty. Referee: Seamus Mc Groary.
Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two
Donegal Town Reserves 3 Milford United Reserves 2
Donegal Town gave themselves plenty to do in the last twenty minutes but managed to hold on to secure a vital three points on return to league action on Saturday. Having led three nil, two late goals from Lee Burke and Conor Murchan left the game right in the balance up until the final whistle. Donegal took the lead early in the first half when David Bustard powered home a tremendous header from a free kick just inside the Milford half. Ciaran McGinley doubled the lead before half time with a superb solo effort beating several Milford players to finish well inside the area. The home side pressed after half time and a free kick from Ciarán O’Reilly looked to have made the points safe. Milford to their credit kept battling and Murchan’s penalty and a great team goal finished off by Burke meant the visitors almost secured an unlikely point. Best for Donegal were Ciaran McGinley, Joe Lafferty and Christian Mc Gettigan with Milford putting in a solid team display.
Referee: Andrew Mullin
DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
RESULTS
SATURDAY
Old Orchard Saturday Division One
Glenea United Reserves 3 v 3 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
St. Catherines Reserves P v P Fintown Harps AFC
Erne Wanderers 3 v 0 Mulroy Celtic
Orchard F.C. P v P Ramelton Mariners
Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two
Arranmore United P v P Glenree United Reserves
Donegal Town Reserves 3 v 2 Milford United Reserves
SUNDAY
Ulster Junior Cup
Gweedore Celtic 1 v 0 Redcastle F.C.
Milford United 2 v 1 Carndonagh F.C.
Dunree United 1 v 2 Lifford Celtic
Clonmany Shamrocks 2 v 1 Cranford United
Gweedore United 2 v 2 (a.e.t.) Rathmullan Celtic
(Gweedore United won 5-4 on penalties)
Moville Celtic 4 v 2 St. Catherines
Gweedore United Reserves 1 v 2 Aileach F.C.
Cockhill Celtic Youths 2 v 1 Whitestrand United
Drumbar Celtic 0 v 3 Moville Celtic
Raphoe Town P v P Cockhill Celtic Youths
Watson Hire Division One
Cappry Rovers P v P Bonagee United
Drumoghill F.C. P v P Eany Celtic
Castlefin Celtic 1 v 3 Dunkineely Celtic
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 3 v 0 Lagan Harps
DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
FIXTURES
WEDNESDAY 29-01-2014 K.O. 7.30 p.m.
Downtown Cup
Curragh Athletic Reserves v Fintown Harps AFC
SATURDAY 01-02-2014 K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)
Old Orchard Saturday Division One
Erne Wanderers v Glenea United Reserves
Ramelton Mariners v Mulroy Celtic
Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two
Tullyvinney Rovers v Strand Rovers
Keadue Rovers Reserve v Donegal Town Reserves
Glenree United Reserves v Gweedore United Reserves
SUNDAY 02-02-2014 K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Milford United v Lifford Celtic
Kilmacrennan Celtic v Cranford United
Gweedore Celtic v Glenea United
St. Catherines v Rathmullan Celtic
Curragh Athletic v Donegal Town
Watson Hire Division One
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. v Castlefin Celtic
Gweedore United v Drumoghill F.C.
Bonagee United v Eany Celtic
Keadue Rovers v Dunkineely Celtic
Lagan Harps v Cappry Rovers
CT Ball Division Two
Ballybofey United v Deele Harps
Drumbar F.C. v Copany Rovers
Convoy Arsenal v Glenree United
Dunlewy Celtic v Whitestrand United
Raphoe Town v Letterbarrow Celtic
