DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
REPORTS
SUNDAY
Ulster Junior Cup
Milford United 1 Glengad F.C. 2 (a.e.t.)
Milford were defeated by Glengad in Rathmullan in a hard fought encounter in windy conditions. Milford playing into the breeze had the best chances of the first half with Joey Cullen heading over and Paul Shields firing into the side netting. Glengad passed the ball well but failed to create any chances. Glengad were more of a threat in the second half with Caolan Mc Gettigan producing three great saves. The visitors went one up on sixty minutes through Jason Doherty and Joey Cullen equalised five minutes later. In extra time Jason Doherty scored following Milford’s failure to clear their lines. Milford pushed for an equaliser but Glengad held on for victory. Best for Milford were Joey Cullen and Caolan Mc Gettigan.
Lifford Celtic 1 Gweedore Celtic 2
This game was reversed to Gweedore as Greenbrae was not playable. Lifford dominated the first half possession stakes but could not find the net. It took sixty minutes before Lifford broke down Gweedore as Alan Gethins finished from close range. A ten minute spell from Gweedore won them the tie when they capitalised on some poor defending, Conal Ferry calmly finishing twice as Lifford failed to clear their lines. Lifford pressed for the remaining ten minutes but could not find an equaliser. Battling performances from both teams.
Aileach F.C. 2 Gweedore United 1
Ciaran Mc Fadden gave Gweedore United a half time lead on their visit to Aileach but his strike wasn’t enough to see his side advance to the next stage of the Ulster Junior Cup. The Inishowen outfit scored twice in the second half to secure their progress in this season’s competition.
Ulster Junior Shield
Raphoe Town 2 Cockhill Colts 0
Raphoe welcomed Cockhill Colts from the Inishowen League for this quarter final of the Ulster Junior Shield. The first half was an even affair and chances were at a premium. Cockhill had the wind at their backs and were dangerous from long range and went close on a few occasions but Raphoe held out and came more into the game as the half wore on with young Oliver Quinn and Mark Bogle causing the Cockhill defence problems with their great link up play. The second half belonged to Raphoe as Jamie Gallagher and the returning Christy Bogle started to dictate the play and it was the experienced Emmett Kelly who broke the deadlock when his effort took a deflection and evaded the Cockhill keeper. On sixty minutes Raphoe went two up when Mark Bogle scored when he beat four defenders and calmly stroked the ball home. Raphoe could have added to their lead when Lee Smith and Micheal Quinn went close. Cockhill had a chance at the end but young Craig Kelly made an excellent tackle to keep Cockhill out. Best for Raphoe: Craig Kelly, Oliver Quinn, Mark Bogle and Micheal Quinn. Team performance from Cockhill. Referee: Martin Mc Anenny
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Donegal Town 0 Rathmullan Celtic 3
The league leaders consolidated their position at the top of the table with a convincing display at the Hospital Field. The visitors got off to the perfect start when Ryan Connolly pounced inside the first minute to give his side a dream start. Donegal struggled to deal with the fluidity of the Rathmullan attack and when Sheridan fired the ball out wide, Glen Barrow was on hand to prod the incoming cross to the back of the net. Despite being two down early on Donegal didn’t let the heads drop and went close a couple of occasions through Joe McIntyre and Aidan McFadden. Rathmullan put in a workman like second half, having established their lead, and were solid in defence and dealt well with the Donegal attack. Donegal substitute Benny Byrne caused problems following his introduction and almost scored with a headed from a McIntyre corner. Rathmullan sealed the points late on when Ryan Doherty scored a fine individual goal. Best for Donegal were Farragher and Earley with Rathmullan putting in an excellent team display. Referee: Liam Farren
Kilmacrennan Celtic 0 St. Catherines 7
The first half hour of this game saw very few chances created by either side. Aodhan Mc Ginley sparked ‘The Saints’ into life when he opened the scoring on thirty one minutes when he went on a solo run through the heart of the Kilmacrennan defence and his shot found the bottom corner of the net. Ten minutes later Jason Noctor made it two for St. Catherines when he converted a penalty. ‘The Saints’ started the second half brightly and on fifty five minutes Barry Cannon slipped the ball into an open net after a defensive mix up. Shane Molloy made it four – nil on sixty minutes when he nipped in at the front post to toe poke the ball past the Kilmac keeper. Kilmacrennan held out until the last five minutes of the game when Shane O’ Rourke made it five on eighty five minutes beating the off-side trap to convert at the near post. Willie Hukkanen’s shot on eighty seven minutes made it six – nil and Shane Molloy scored the seventh on eighty nine minutes from a header. Team performance both sides. Referee: Patrick Martin.
Watson Hire Division One
Castlefin Celtic 4 Drumoghill F.C. 2
Castlefin started the game the stronger taking the lead after 9 minutes. A Ronan Tourish corner found the head of Simon Mc Glinchey who headed home and give Castlefin a perfect start. Drumoghill’s hard work paid off when they found an equaliser. A corner from Kevin Kelly found Christopher O’Donnell in the box and he headed directly into the net. Castlefin came close after 40 minutes when Matthew O’Rourke picked out JP Malley who forced Drumoghill’s keeper Greg Regan into an excellent save. Castlefin’s defence then lost their shape and Liam O’Donnell punished them on the stroke of half time when he fired Drumoghill into the lead. Emmet White equalised for Castlefin from the penalty spot on 68 minutes after JP Malley was fouled in the box. Minutes later JP Malley put Castlefin back into the lead when he took on the Drumoghill defence and found the net from 6 yards in the 72nd minute. Kevin Kelly and Christopher O’ Donnell both went close for Drumoghill but Anthony O’ Hagan did well on both occasions in the home net. Ronan Tourish sealed the three points for Castlefin when his 89th minute corner went straight into the top corner. Best for Castlefin: Ronan Tourish and Simon Mc Glinchey. Team performance from Drumoghill. Referee: Kevin Logue
Bonagee United 0 Lagan Harps 1
Lagan came close to opening the scoring on fifteen minutes when a Eunan Diver free from the right was cleared off the line by a Bonagee defender. Carr in the home goal made a great save from Diver on twenty minutes, turning the ball over the bar. Lagan got the only goal of the game on forty three minutes when a long ball out of defence fell to Austin Marron just inside the Bonagee half. He beat a defender and hammered the ball home from twenty yards. Bonagee had an effort from Kevin Mc Hugh saved on the hour mark. The best chance for the home side fell to Ciaran Gibson on eighty minutes. A Mark Hunter cross from the right to the midfielder saw his header from ten yards out just hit the top of the crossbar. Both teams had half chances in the last ten minutes but nothing to bother either keeper. Referee: Joe Mc Hugh.
Keadue Rovers 2 Cappry Rovers 5
Cappry Rovers maintained their promotion push with this impressive victory over Keadue Rovers which also pushes Keadue into relegation trouble. It was very windy throughout which made playing conditions difficult. Cappry started the brighter and had the first chance of the game on eight minutes, a shot that went wide. On twelve minutes Keadue had their first chance when a free kick was well saved. Keadue took the lead two minutes later when good work by Sean’ Yank’ Boyle on the right and a great cross was met by Ryan Greene with a header at the far post. Cappry though responded well to going behind and got a foothold in the game despite playing against a strong breeze. They came close to equalising on twenty three minutes when they shot just wide. Cappry were level on the half hour following a free kick into the box, a header was saved well by Ben Boyle in the Keadue nets but the rebound was fired home by Alan Patton. The away side were well on top in possession stakes at this point but Keadue had a flurry of chances close to half time. The second half had a lively opening with Cappry having a shot wide and Keadues’ Donal Rodgers also forcing the Cappry keeper into a save. Cappry however went ahead on fifty two minutes when Stephen McDermott scored from twenty five yards. Cappry were on top at this stage and could’ve gone further ahead on fifty four minutes but shot wide. They did extend their lead on fifty six minutes when Alan Patton ended a good move and finished to the net. The final half hour of the game saw Cappry in control and they went 4-1 up on seventy four minutes when Alan Patton finished for his hat-trick. Keadue kept battling away despite the game being over as a contest. They pulled a goal back on seventy six minutes when a penalty was awarded and Sean ‘Yank’ Boyle finished well to the net. Cappry completed the scoring on eighty two minutes when Darren O’Leary tapped in at the far post from a corner on the right. A good performance from Cappry who are well in the promotion mix with Alan Patton and Stephen McDermott impressive while for Keadue Hugh Moy and Donal Rodgers did well. Referee: Ed Moore.
CT Ball Division Two
Convoy Arsenal 3 Copany Rovers 3
Two committed sides produced an entertaining draw in this fixture at Orchard Park. Copany broke the deadlock on 44 minutes when David Graham finished a well worked Copany attack. Convoy equalised early in the second half when Kealan Gillen converted from the penalty spot. Convoy then took the lead through a strong finish from Darren Harvey but Copany responded immediately to level after a great pass sent Pauric Deeney clear to lob the outrushing Convoy ‘keeper. An end to end game then saw Convoy re-take the lead with Gillen getting his second, beating the visiting ‘keeper with a curling shot. Rodger Leonard equalised for Copany to secure his side’s second place status in the league table with five games remaining.
Drumbar F.C. 0 Whitestrand United 2
Only 45 minutes of action at Drumbar this week after the first match was abandoned at half time due to weather. It was a closely fought half with Paul Lynch sneaking a goal for the away side on twenty five minutes to keep them on top of the table.
DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
REPORTS
SATURDAY
Old Orchard Saturday Division One
St. Catherines Reserves 3 Orchard F.C. 2
Orchard opened the scoring on twenty five minutes when Shaun Sweeney’s header found ‘The Saints’ net from a corner. Chrissy Mc Laughlin made it two nil to the visitors on forty five minutes when he latched onto a ball after a goalmouth scramble.
Trailing by two goals St Catherines had a big task on their hands and Stevie Anderson started their comeback three minutes into the second half when his cross deceived everyone and found its way to the Orchard net. ‘The Saints’ pressed hard for the equaliser and on fifty five minutes a shot from Declan Mc Laughlin from just outside the box hit the net.
Two – two and all to play for and it was the home side who were the more hungrier. On sixty five minutes Rory Murray was brought down in the penalty area. Stevie Anderson stepped up and converted the penalty to put ‘The Saints’ into the lead. The home side stood strong in defence to send Orchard home without anything to show from a keenly contested game.
Team performances from both sides. Referee: Andrew Mullan
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 1 Glencar Celtic 2
Glencar started the game the brighter and found an opener on 18 minutes. Paddy Rafferty created space in the Castlefin goalmouth and netted to give his side the lead. Castlefin responded well but Paul Logue and Jonny Bogle both saw their shots go narrowly over the bar. Castlefin’s equaliser came on the stroke of half time. Gary McNulty won the ball and progressed ten yards before finishing perfectly on 45 minutes.
Glencar began the second half searching for a second goal. Both teams battled hard with some strong tackling in the midfield area. Glencar bossed possession but they failed to create any clear cut chances. Castlefin should have scored in the 70th minute but Glencar’s keeper Ray Mc Feely saved brilliantly on three occasions. Castlefin then created chance after chance but couldn’t find a way through, Gary McNulty and Mark Lafferty with the best of the chances. Glencar got their second and the winner with minutes remaining. Poor communication in the Castlefin defence allowed Chris Malseed to control the ball and he stayed composed before scoring to make it 2-1 Best for Castlefin: Damien Mc Anneny and Mark Lafferty. Best for Glencar: Ray Mc Feely. Referee: Marty Quinn
Ramelton Mariners 1 Glenea United Reserves 5
Glenea easily defeated a weak Mariners’ side in Rab’s Park on Saturday afternoon. Mariners started brightly but after 10 minutes were dealt a blow when keeper Kevvy Mc Cahill had to go off injured. With no sub goalkeeper it was up to midfielder Paul Gallagher to go in nets.
Glenea then stamped their authority and went a goal up on 15 minutes through Darren Mc Keever. The same player doubled his tally and Glenea’s lead on 25 minutes with a header from a corner. Mariners did respond when in the 35th minute Patrick Durning converted a rebound after good work from Kevvy Coyle. But right on half-time Glenea got their third when Michael Barry scored.
The second half was mostly all Glenea and they scored two further goals through Dean Gallagher, the first on 56 minutes and the second on 80 minutes.
A good team effort from Glenea, the Mariners were best served by stand-in keeper Paul Gallagher and Kevvy Coyle.
Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two
Gweedore United Reserves 0 Arranmore United 2
This game played in difficult conditions saw the visitors continue their good run in what could only be described as a scrappy affair. The islanders had the aid of the strong breeze in the opening half. Aran pressed and got their first goal in the 15th minute when Danny Rodgers headed into the back of the net following a good corner by Daniel O’ Donnell. They doubled the lead in the 33rd minute when another corner was tapped in by Rodgers to make it 2-0. The second half saw the home side press with Frankie Early in the visitor’s nets pulling off a number of good saves. It was a team effort from Arranmore with Martin Proctor and Paul Mc Garvey excelling on the day.
Referee: James Malseed.
Keadue Rovers Reserves 1 Donegal Town Reserves 1
The Reserves of Keadue Rovers and Donegal Town played out a draw at Central Park on Saturday afternoon. The playing conditions were very difficult throughout with a gale force wind and wet conditions underfoot. Despite this both teams produced a decent game of football. After a fairly even opening it was Keadue who took the lead after eight minutes. A penalty was awarded for handball and Conor Greene’s effort was well saved by the keeper but John Gillespie followed up on the rebound to fire home. Donegal Town were coming more into the game and had an effort just over the bar on seventeen minutes. The home side were more than content to hit on the break whilst Donegal Town maintained more possession. Keadues’ David Ward was unlucky on twenty eight minutes when his curling shot was just wide of the post. Donegal Town drew level on thirty six minutes when Joe McIntyre picked the ball up in midfield and ran for twenty yards before unleashing a fine effort to the top corner. The half ended with Keadue in the ascendency again. Keadue were much brighter for the opening ten minutes of the second half. They had a goal disallowed on fifty one minutes when Conor Greene poked home from a cross. Substitute Ryan Greene then flashed a header wide on fifty five minutes and two minutes later Keadue’s Chris Greene had a shot blocked. Donegal enjoyed a good spell on the hour mark regaining a fair bit of possession. Ryan Greene again went close on sixty eight minutes with a free kick saved at the far post. In the final twenty minutes Donegal Town were on and created a few good chances. Overall a fair result for both sides. Best for Donegal Town were Joe Lafferty and Joe McIntyre while best for Keadue were Chris Mc Gonagle and Conor Greene. Referee: Michael McFadden.
Strand Rovers 1 Cranford United Reserves 2
On a dry but windy day these two sides met in Maghery. Cranford won the toss and decided to play against a strong wind. Strand started lively and chalked up a few attempts on goal but the breakthrough came on 20 minutes when a Darragh Hanlon strike hit off a defender and passed the Cranford keeper into the back of the net. Credit to Cranford who pushed hard after that and had the Strand keeper busy, including a penalty save to keep the score at 1-0 at half time. The second half saw the wind behind Cranford and they were awarded another penalty when a sub, just on for Strand Rovers, unnecessarily took down a Cranford striker in the box. The spot kick was neatly tucked away by Kyle black. Strand were forced into a few changes due to injuries and for a while lost their shape. Cranford capitalised on this and a shot which hit of the crossbar came back and hung in the wind before Brendan Giles tucked it away. 2-1 to the visitors and even though Strand threatened near the end this is how it finished. Best for Strand was Kevin Mc Govern with a good team display from Cranford.
DONEGAL JUNIOR LEAGUE
RESULTS
SATURDAY
Old Orchard Saturday Division One
St. Catherines Reserves 3 v 2 Orchard F.C.
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 1 v 2 Glencar Celtic
Ramelton Mariners 1 v 5 Glenea United Reserves
Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two
Gweedore United Reserves 0 v 2 Arranmore United
Curragh Athletic Reserves P v P Milford United Reserves
Keadue Rovers Reserves 1 v 1 Donegal Town Reserves
Strand Rovers 1 v 2 Cranford United Reserves
SUNDAY
Ulster Junior Cup
Milford United 1 v 2 (a.e.t.) Glengad F.C.
Lifford Celtic 1 v 2 Gweedore Celtic
Aileach F.C. 2 v 1 Gweedore United
Ulster Junior Shield
Raphoe Town 2 v 0 Cockhill Colts
SUNDAY
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Curragh Athletic P v P Glenea United
Donegal Town 0 v 3 Rathmullan Celtic
Kilmacrennan Celtic 0 v 7 St. Catherines
Watson Hire Division One
Castlefin Celtic 4 v 2 Drumoghill F.C.
Bonagee United 0 v 1 Lagan Harps
Keadue Rovers 2 v 5 Cappry Rovers
CT Ball Division Two
Convoy Arsenal 3 v 3 Copany Rovers
Drumbar F.C. 0 v 2 Whitestrand United
FIXTURES
SATURDAY 01-03-2014 K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)
Old Orchard Saturday Division One
Glenea United Reserves v Fintown Harps AFC
Castlefin Celtic Reserves v Mulroy Celtic
Erne Wanderers v Ramelton Mariners
Glencar Celtic v Orchard F.C.
Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two
Milford United Reserves v Arranmore United (K.O. 1 p.m.)
Strand Rovers v Curragh Athletic Reserves
Cranford United Reserves v Glenree United Reserves
Gweedore United Reserves v Keadue Rovers Reserves
SUNDAY 02-03-2014 K.O. 1.30p.m. (Unless Stated)
Knockalla Cup
Rathmullan Celtic v Glenea United
Cootehill Harps v Milford United
Drumkeen United v Lifford Celtic
SUNDAY 02-03-2014 K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)
Watson Hire Division One
Lagan Harps v Gweedore United
Dunkineely Celtic v Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
Cappry Rovers v Bonagee United
Drumoghill F.C. v Eany Celtic
CT Ball Division Two
Dunlewy Celtic v Deele Harps
Raphoe Town v Ballybofey United
Whitestrand United v Copany Rovers
Letterbarrow Celtic v Glenree United
Convoy Arsenal v Drumbar F.C.
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