Here’s how all of this weekend’s action in the Donegal Junior Leagues panned out.
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 1 Cappry Rovers Reserves 4
Third place was up for grabs for Benji O’Meara’s Cappry side on the Reserve League table if they could gain three points over Kilmacrennan Celtic, who have been in good form this season so far.
Cappry got things off to a good start with most of the action in Kilmacrennan’s half and in particular on the left side with Shaun Bannigan creating goal chances.
The visitors soon turned things around to put pressure back on the home side and the game was end to end for both teams but it was Kilmac’s Cathal Gallagher who broke the deadlock with a low shot from the edge of the Cappry box to put the visitors ahead. Kilmac continued to push at the hosts creating chances but unable to capitalise.
Cappry came back into the game again in the last 15 minutes with plenty of pressure coming from the midfield presence of Conor and Shane Laverty and in the 34th minute when ball came back out from a Cappry attack in the visitor’s box onto the path of right winger Jack Burk, who then scored with superb strike to level the scoreline until half time.
The second half started lively for both teams but it was Cappry’s Steven Carr who terrorised the Kilmacrennan defence and after beating three players, put the home side ahead in the 56th minute.
Cappry continued to dominate possession in the second half and held off the visitors thanks mainly to defenders Petie Lafferty and William McGlynn.
They also had Aaron Kelly and Paddy Long pushing up to create goal chances.
Those chances came with NP McDaid lodging a 3rd goal for Cappry on the scoresheet and substitute Kyle O’Meara beating the Kilmac goalkeeper on the 81st minute to put the home side 4 up.
Thursday 1st December 2016
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 0 Erne Wanderers Reserves 5
(No Report)
Saturday 3rd December 2016
Ulster Junior Shield
Strand Rovers 1 Cavan Rovers 2
Ulster Shield action in Maghery saw Strand welcome Cavan Rovers in this knockout competition, Strand didn’t know what to expect from the visitors but they needn’t have been worried as the home side enjoyed all the possession and had numerous chances to go in front but it remained 0-0 at the break.
In the second half Paddy Glackin was taken down in the box but failed to capitalise and hit the post. The pressure eventually paid dividend when the sub McGeehan slotted home from outside the box.
Cavan decided to get physical and few yellows were shown one of which possible should have been red but the score stayed the same until 85 minutes when Cavan nicked an equaliser.
Cavan nicked another in extra time before delay tactics came into play for them, Strand tried hard to get back but it wasn’t to be.
Orchard F.C. 2 Glencar Celtic 1
(No Report)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Arranmore United 2 Fintown Harps AFC 1
Arranmore United welcomed Fintown to Ranagh Park on a day perfect for football. The game started quite slowly as both teams played with caution. Fintown managed to get forward with numbers on one or two occasions but were quickly shut down by a solid Arranmore defence.
Arranmore were awarded a penalty when Fintown’s goalkeeper brought down Paul Early on the six yard box; Michael McHugh converted to make it 1-0.
After this Arranmore began to look a lot more comfortable on the ball and were awarded another penalty after Glenties man Leo Mc Loone was brought down in the box. Michael McHugh converted again to put the home side 2-0 ahead.
Fintown started the second half with a lot of intensity and were awarded for their efforts after Caolan Mc Gonagle got on the end of a free kick and finished well.
Arranmore were bombarded with pressure but held out with Leo McLoone putting a massive shift in midfield to break up play.
Saturday Reserve Division
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 2 Keadue Rovers Reserves 1
Kilmacrennan came out on top in a closely fought game which was switched to Rathmullan. Keadue started brightly and the Kilmac defence stood strong under Seamus Mc Laughlin who Marshalled his troops with all his experience.
Keadue took lead on 27 minutes when Luke Ferry scored a header from edge box. Kilmac equalised on 36 minutes when Edwin Doherty headed home from a perfect Mouse McLaughlin free.
On 75 minutes Michael McLaughlin danced through the Keadue defence and slotted home after great work from Cathal Gallagher and Darren McGinley. The two Glenswilly men linked up well.
Kilmac held out for last 10 minutes and Gerard Mc Grenra dealing with all Keadue’s pressure.
The big Glen man played well in nets and was great outlet for the team with his accurate kick outs and safe hands
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 3 Donegal Town Reserves 1
Castlefin secured a vital three points after a home victory over Donegal Town on Saturday at Parkview. The hosts started the brighter and took the lead when Brian Dooher latched on to a Keith Nelis flick on and he slotted home after 6 minutes.
The home side pushed on and doubled their advantage when Marty Owens played through Dooher and he made no mistake from 10 yards in the 28th minute.
Donegal pushed forward but failed to break down the home defence. In the second half the game turned into a midfield battle but Castlefin increased their lead when Ronan Tourish broke clear and unleashed an unstoppable strike from 25 yards in the 68th minute.
The home side kept pushing to increase their advantage but wasted decent chances to increase their lead. In added time the visitors pulled a goal back when Shaun Kelly scored direct from a corner.
Cappry Rovers Reserves 0 Glenree United Reserves 0
(No Report)
Sunday 4th December 2016
Ulster Junior Cup
Gweedore Celtic 3 Monaghan Town 1
Gweedore Celtic played well in the early stages but Monaghan started to come into the game more as the first half progressed.
Monaghan had the opening goal of the first half on 32minutes but unfortunately it was a Gweedore Celtic man that found the back of the net for them.
Gweedore Celtic started the better team in the second half with a goal on 56 minutes scored by Jamie Boyle from a free kick 35 yards out into the top corner.
On 60 minutes Gweedore found the back of the net again to make it 2 – 1 when a cross by Kevin Friel was headed on by Tomas Diver and scored by Eamon McGee.
Gweedore wrapped up the game on the 85th minute when a long kick out by Chris Sweeney found Odhran Mac Niallais who took on both defender’s to bury the ball in the bottom corner.
Buncrana Harps 1 Kilmacrennan Celtic 3
(No Report)
Aileach F.C. 3 Cranford United 0
(No Report)
St. Catherines 4 Clones Town 0
St. Catherines started the brighter of the two sides passing the ball crisply through the Clones defence and their pressure paid off when debutant 16-years-ol Ryan Cunningham crossed superbly for Daniel Breslin to nod home on 6 minutes.
Cunningham continued to haunt the Clones defence and David Conwell latched on to another of his crosses on 16minutes to make it 2-0.
Breslin again rose highest to meet a superb corner ball and it was 3-0 at the break. Clones applied more pressure in the second half with Sean McDonald and Simon Douglas pushing the visitors on but it was all to no avail as again another assist from Man of the match Ryan Cunningham provided an easy finish for Daniel Breslin to complete his hat-trick.
Odhran McGuinness, another 16-year-old making his home debut. impressed along with Evan Broderick in Defence.
Ulster Junior Shield
Redcastle F.C. 1 Glenea United Reserves 2
(No Report)
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Glenea United 2 Convoy Arsenal 2
Glenea got back to winning ways at home with a hard-earned victory over Convoy. It was the proverbial game of two halves with the home side starting well and had a chance to take the lead on 10 minutes but Ryan McFadden saw his penalty saved.
Glenea took the lead on 19 minutes when a Ciaran Mc Fadden effort from the edge of the box hit the post and he slotted home the resultant rebound. Glenea extended the lead on 25 minutes when Ciaran McFadden’s through ball released Ryan McFadden and found the corner of the net.
Glenea got a third goal on 40 minutes when Ciaran Mc Fadden reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box and scored from close range. In the 2nd half it was Convoy that started well and pulled a goal back on 55 minutes when Johnny Robb pounced on a loose ball and scored from close range.
Convoy continued to press and pulled another goal back through Johnny Robb on 70 minutes when he scored from the edge of the box.
Convoy pressed for an equaliser but Glenea threatened on the break and Ryan McFadden saw an effort come back off the bar on 85 minutes. The home side kept Convoy scoreless to the game end
Castlefin Celtic 6 Lagan Harps 2
Castlefin romped to a vital three points after a convincing win over Lagan Harps on Sunday in Parkview.
The home side started on the front foot and took the lead in the 21st minute when a PJ Mc Menamin ball played through Ronan Tourish who squared to JP Malley who tapped home.
Castlefin doubled their advantage when Menamin again played through Tourish who took on three men and fired into the bottom corner after 27 minutes. Micheal Doherty had a free kick well saved from Castlefin Keeper Anthony Sweeney.
In the 35th minute Corrie Lee Bogan found space on the left, he cut in and found the bottom corner to increase the host’s lead.
In the 36th minute Tourish found Matthew O’Rourke on the right who finished through the keeper’s legs to put the home side four up.
JP Malley added to his personal tally when he headed home a McMenamin corner and completed his hat-trick when he tapped home a Damien Mc Anenny cross before half time.
The second half was a dull affair in terms of goal mouth action. Lagan pulled two consolation goals back through Mark Hunter.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Gweedore United 1 Raphoe Town 1
This game played at Carrickboyle will leave the home side wondering how they didn’t get all 3 points from this one. As early as the first minute Ciaran McFadden’s shot was excellently saved by Roy Duffy in the Raphoe nets.
However, Raphoe took the lead when Oliver Quinn finished well past Charles Doherty after good play by Jamie Gallagher to make it 1-0.
United continued to play well and press however Duffy in the visitor’s nets made great saves from Kevin Cassidy, Adi O’Gara, Frank McGee and Michael Barry on different occasions.
In the 22nd minute young Mark Mc Fadden made it 1-1 when he rounded one defender and shot into to bottom corner from 25 yards leaving Duffy with no chance.
This pattern of play continued for the rest of the half with Duffy making important saves for Raphoe.
In the second half the home side saw good chances from Ciaran Mc Fadden, Ryan Kelly and Shane O’Donnell with the game ending in a draw.
Tom Mc Hugh at the back and Duffy in nets were excellent for Raphoe, with United’s young players. Mark Mc Fadden, Ryan Kelly and Odhran McFadden excelling for United on the day. Referee: Con Mc Laughlin.
Erne Wanderers 1 Cappry Rovers 3
Erne Wanderers hosted fellow promotion rivals Cappry Rovers and the hosts were left to rue a poor first half showing when they trailed by two goals to nil.
Cappry were the better team in the opening half and deserved their lead. Wanderers started the second half on the front foot and scored through David Dolan inside two minutes when he followed up an Alan Russell shot to head home.
The homesters had Rovers penned in for spells in the second period but couldn’t get the breakthrough to equalise and after David Dolan spurned a great chance to draw level Erne got hit with a sucker punch when Bradley scored after he got on the end of a monster throw in to slip home the third.
Wanderers kept going and created some good chances but found the visiting keeper in great form as he made three or four excellent saves. Best for Erne was Russell while the Cappry keeper had an excellent outing. Referee: John Coyle.
Deele Harps 0 Keadue Rovers 0
Deele welcomed Keadue to The Athletic Grounds on a fine day for football. The first half was an even contest with both sides playing some good football but chances were at a premium.
he early stages of the second half was more of the same but as the half wore on Keadue were starting to dominate and the fact it was only Deele’s second game in two months was starting to show. Keadue had the better of the chances but Deele defended brilliantly and deserved the point.
Referee: Martin McAneny
CT Ball Division Two
Drumkeen United 1 Copany Rovers 1
Copany Rovers were the visitors to a bitterly cold St Patrick’s Park on Sunday afternoon for this Division two clash. The first half was largely uneventful with very few chances created by either side.
The only talking point of the first half was actually the Goal which Copany scored.
An injury to regular goalkeeper Michael Gibson meant that John Rodgers was the Stand in Keeper for the day and he made what looked like a good double save after 38 minutes,
Unfortunately for him and Drumkeen the Referee deemed that the ball had crossed the line from the second effort from Vincent Breslin and he awarded a goal to Copany. Drumkeen came out in the second half and were immediately on the attack when Peter McNamee had a chance right at the start.
They also had efforts from Kevin Boyle, Ryan Kettle and Eunan Doherty without success. As the half wore on Drumkeen threw everything at the visitors with everyone going forward for corners and free kicks leaving John Rodgers in the role of sweeper ‘keeper.
When you throw everyone forward like that you are vulnerable to a counter attack if your attack breaks down and they were nearly caught a couple of times.
It was John Rodgers who set up Drumkeen’s equaliser when his clearance from the halfway line fell to Peter McNamee who then scored a great goal from 30 yards out.
Having got back level the home team then went for a late winner but the clock was against them and as the minutes ticked by the Copany Defence stood firm so both teams had to settle for a point.
Letterbarrow Celtic P Dunkineely Celtic P
( Match Postponed )
Eany Celtic P Lifford Celtic P
( Match Postponed )
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 1 Whitestrand United 2
Both teams started well in a hotly contested derby.
Whitestrand went close on ten minutes when Johnny Sweeney fired high over the bar after good work from Paul Coyle.
The ‘71 went close on thirteen minutes when Shaun Patton’s great cross was met by Donal Callaghan only for the ball to just drift wide.
The Strand took the lead on 18 minutes when Shaun Martin scored from a Kevin Loughrey corner.
Kerrykeel pushed hard for the equaliser and it came on thirty minutes when young Bernard McGettigan finished brilliantly.
Kerrykeel had a penalty denied on 38 minutes when Jimmy Coyle was taken down in the box but referee waved play.
Kerrykeel were again denied a penalty at the start of the second half when the same player was taken down by the Strand goalkeeper but once again the referee denied the home appeal.
Whitestrand took the lead on seventy two minutes when Kevin Loughrey headed home a Johnny Sweeney cross.
It was nip and tuck for the remainder of the game but the away team took the spoils. Best for Kerrykeel ‘71: Michael Mc Devitt, Cathal Martin and Shane Sandilands. Best for Whitestrand: Ken Dempsey.
Referee: Mickey Mulhern.
RESULTS
Tuesday 29th November 2016
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 1 v 4 Cappry Rovers Reserves
Thursday 1st December 2016
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 0 v 5 Erne Wanderers Reserves
Saturday 3rd December 2016
Ulster Junior Shield
Strand Rovers 1 v 2 Cavan Rovers
Orchard F.C. 1 v 2 Glencar Celtic
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Arranmore United 2 v 1 Fintown Harps AFC
Saturday Reserve Division
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 2 v 1 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 3 v 1 Donegal Town Reserves
Cappry Rovers Reserves 0 v 0 Glenree United Reserves
Sunday 4th December 2016
Ulster Junior Cup
Gweedore Celtic 3 v 1 Monaghan Town
Buncrana Harps 1 v 3 Kilmacrennan Celtic
Aileach F.C. 3 v 0 Cranford United
St. Catherines 4 v 0 Clones Town
Ulster Junior Shield
Redcastle F.C. 1 v 2 Glenea United Reserves
FAI Junior Cup
Grattan United 3 v 0 Drumoghill FC
Abbeyfeale United 5 v 0 Kildrum Tigers
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Glenea United 2 v 2 Convoy Arsenal
Castlefin Celtic 6 v 2 Lagan Harps
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Gweedore United 1 v 1 Raphoe Town
Erne Wanderers 1 v 3 Cappry Rovers
Deele Harps 0 v 0 Keadue Rovers
CT Ball Division Two
Drumkeen United 1 v 1 Copany Rovers
Letterbarrow Celtic P v P Dunkineely Celtic
Eany Celtic P v P Lifford Celtic
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 1 v 2 Whitestrand United
FIXTURES
Saturday 10thDecember 2016 K.O. 2 p.m. (Unless Stated)
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Dunlewey Celtic v Glencar Celtic
Orchard F.C. v Strand Rovers
Saturday Reserve Division
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves v Milford United Reserves
St. Catherines Reserves v Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Cappry Rovers Reserves v Keadue Rovers Reserves
Sunday 11th December 2016 K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Rathmullan Celtic v Glenea United
Kildrum Tigers v St. Catherines
Milford United v Castlefin Celtic
Lagan Harps v Drumoghill F.C.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Raphoe Town v Gweedore Celtic
Cappry Rovers v Gweedore United
Donegal Town v Glenree United
Keadue Rovers v Erne Wanderers
Bonagee United v Deele Harps
CT Ball Division Two
Ballybofey United v Dunkineely Celtic
Drumkeen United v Lifford Celtic
Letterbarrow Celtic v Cranford United
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