Ballybofey United and Rathmullan Celtic will contest the Brian McCormick Cup final this season after semi-final wins today.
Brian Mc Cormick Cup Semi-Finals
Keadue Rovers 0 Ballybofey United 1
Ballybofey United emerged from Central Park with victory over the home side in the semi-final of the Brian McCormick Cup on Sunday. The game was played in fine conditions with good sunshine but a stiff breeze throughout.
The first five minutes saw Keadue knocking it around well using the wind well and creating a few half chances. Ballybofey though settled down after that and began creating a few chances of their own with the opening effort on eleven minutes saved by Hugh Yank Boyle. The away side were using the wings well in particular, getting in behind the home defence on a number of occasions and forcing a number of set pieces.
They deservedly took the lead on twenty eight minutes when following a corner on the right the ball was poked home from close range by striker Damien Glackin.
Keadue responded well to going one down and just a few minutes later David Ward’s free kick was well saved while from the corner Corey Gallagher’s header went wide. It was an open game at this stage and Ballybofey had another effort just wide on thirty five, while a good move on thirty six minutes started by Ryan Greene saw Shaun Yank Boyle and Corey Gallagher both go close.
The home side continued to press and were unlucky not to carve out a few more openings by half time although Ballybofey were dangerous on the break and could’ve made it two just before half time with an effort that went wide.
At the start of the second half the away side were sharp out of the blocks and pushed the home defence back, creating a few good chances. Keadue started to put a good spell together around fifty five minutes when Shaun Yank Boyle started running on to some through balls and creating some decent chances. Keadue looked to be level on 61 minutes but it the goal was ruled out.
By midway through the second half it was all Keadue and Ballybofey almost conceded an own goal and on seventy minutes Shaun Yank Boyle hit the crossbar again from close range following a mix up in the Ballybofey defence. The away defence held firm despite all the pressure and it was in the eighty ninth minute when Keadues’ last chance came, with a goalbound shot hit off the line.
A stout defensive performance from Ballybofey who emerge with great credit to continue their fine season going on to the cup final, while for the home side it was a marginal defeat and a good performance, particularly in the second half and the bounce of the ball just didn’t go their way.
Best for Ballybofey were Rory Dunleavy, Shaun McGowan and Neil Lloyd, while best for Keadue were Chris Greene, Donal Rodgers and Shaun Yank Boyle. Referee: Liam McLaughlin.
Rathmullan Celtic 2 St. Catherines 1
After a roller coaster of a season the seaside town have seen an upturn in their fortunes the past few weeks and the result against St.Catherines ensures that the Rathmullan faithful will have to get Visas in order as they booked a spot in the final of the Brian McCormick Cup.
It didn’t always look that way as St. Catherines started off brightly and took the lead through Ryan Farrell. His effort was initially saved by Mark Gallagher in the Rathmullan goal but Farrell followed up securing the lead for the Killybegs men.
Just as it looked like St.Catherines would keep that score till the break, up stepped Eoin Sheridan to head the ball goal wards. Joe McHugh blew the half time soon after and the teams went in all square.
Rathmullan started brightly in the second half and scored soon after when Jude “the patron saint of lost causes” chased a ball that he should never has won and headed the ball passed the hapless Killybegs keeper.
Best for Rathmullan were Gavin O’Donnell, James Gallagher and Alan Boal .
Indeed it was a fine team performance by the Hoops and best for St Catherine’s were Ryan Carr and Ryan Farrell.
So it’s safety in the league to concentrate on for the next few weeks with the added bonus of a showcase final to look forward to. Perhaps the tide is turning down Rathmullan way.
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Strand Rovers 1 Arranmore United 0
Michael Ward came on as a substitute and got the match winning goal as Strand Rovers defeated Arranmore United at Maghery. Both sides had chances but neither could add to the scoreline.
Glencar Celtic 3 Drumbar F.C. 1
This game was changed to Fanad and was played in beautiful conditions. Glencar started well and had Drumbar under pressure right from the off. Glencar had a number of half chances through Kieran Doherty and Eugene Sullivan but they couldn’t convert any of them.
The Drumbar defence stood tall and soaked up a lot of pressure and were equal to everything Glencar had to throw at them.
They got their reward with 5 minutes left in the 1st half. Glencar gave away a free-kick just inside their own half. It was whipped over the wall and made its way right through to the back post where it was buried by Jordan to put the visitors one up.
Their lead was short lived as this gave Glencar the wake-up call they needed and they were back on level terms after Kevin Rafferty played in Grieve who cut it back to the edge of the box and the in rushing Anthony Doherty arrived on the scene and his daisy cutter found the back of the net.
Glencar made a change at half time with Rory Gallagher replacing the injured Charles Mc Laughlin. It was much of the same in the second half with Glencar in control but unable to get through the Drumbar rearguard.
On the hour mark Declan Scanlon replaced Kieran Doherty and shortly after Joe Baker came on for Liam Doherty. With 15 minutes to go Glencar finally got the elusive goal they were looking for.
Good work form Scanlon and Sullivan down the right supplied Grieve who found the net. Glencar put the game to bed with a superb ball from Kevin O’Donnell which found Scanlon free at the back post to nod home and secure a vital 3 points for Glencar. Good team performances from both sides.
Referee: Liam McConigley
Saturday Reserve Division
Milford United Reserves 1 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 0
This game was reversed to The Moss Drumoghill with Milford’s pitch being unplayable. Milford started the game strong and had numerous chances to take the lead but couldn’t find the back of the net. On the stroke of halftime a Drumoghill striker broke free to go one on one with Milford’s keeper but Adam Bolton got back to make a last ditch saving tackle.
Milford kept going in the second half and finally broke the deadlock on the hour mark. After good work from Jason Mc Conigley on the wing his cross found JJ Fleming in the box who made no mistake to find the bottom corner.
Milford kept pushing for their second but Ryan Campbell and Adam Serrinha had chances well saved. Adam Bolton then hit the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Drumoghill nearly found an equaliser with 5 minutes left but Barry Gallagher pulled of a great save to give Milford the 3 points. A good team effort from Drumoghill and a great all round team performance from Milford.
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 4 St. Catherines Reserves 0
Castlefin secured another three points after a comfortable home victory over St.Catherines on Saturday.
Castlefin took the lead as early as the 5th minute when Damien McGlinchey was fouled in the box and Keith Nelis stepped up to slot home. The hosts doubled their lead when James Mc Menamin broke down the left and crossed to Nelis who headed home from close range after 23 minutes.
The visitors kept fighting and created a few openings but the home defence held firm.
In the second half Nelis completed his hat-trick when he headed home a Gary McNulty corner. In the closing stages Thomas Devlin completed the scoring when he finished well from close range.
Best for Castlefin: Damien Mc Glinchey and Brian Dooher. Team Performance from St. Catherines.
Referee: Seamus McGroary
Keadue Rovers Reserves P Cappry Rovers Reserves P
(No Report, Match Postponed)
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 0 Glenea United Reserves 3
(No Report)
Sunday 12th March 2017
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Kildrum Tigers 1 Convoy Arsenal 0
Tigers started bright an should have taken the lead through William Lynch but the Convoy keeper pulled off a great save.
Kildrum took the lead when Packi Coll pulled back the ball to William Lynch and he made no mistake from 10 yard out. Convoy pushed hard in the last 15 minutes but couldn’t get the equaliser. Good battling performances from both teams.
Castlefin Celtic 4 Milford United 0
Castlefin secured a vital three points over Milford after a comfortable victory on Sunday. The hosts took the lead as early as the 3rd minute when Ronan Tourish played through JP Malley who slotted home from the edge of the box.
In the 20th minute the home side doubled their advantage when Matthew O’ Rourke broke clear and played through Malley and he got his second goal of the game.
Malley then completed his hat-trick when he again got on the end of an O’ Rourke pass and he dinked the ball over the keeper to score.
The second half was a dull affair, but in the 65th minute Ronan Tourish picked up the ball in his own half drove at the visiting defence and his shot deflected into the net. Best for Castlefin: JP Malley. Best for Milford: Darren McLaughlin
Referee: Marty Quinn
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Erne Wanderers 2 Bonagee United 1
Erne Wanderers hosted Bonagee Utd on Fri night under lights at the Lakeside Centre and got the three points thanks to a hard fought 2- 1 win. Bonagee took the lead on twenty nine mins through some slack defending from Erne. Barry Mulligan equalised six minutes later with a fine free kick from twenty yards.
The second half was even enough with Erne probably shading it and eventually got the winner fifteen minutes from time when Josh Ritchie scampered down the wing and cut inside to tuck under the keeper from a tight angle.
The hosts saw the game out and secured their survival in their first season in the division so a lot of positives to build on for next year. Best for Erne was Josh Ritchie and Micheal Dolan while Bonagee battled gamely to the end.
Referee: Sean O’Donnell.
Gweedore United 0 Donegal Town 6
This game played in glorious conditions at Carrickboyle saw the Donegal Town clinch promotion with a comprehensive win over the home side.
Goals from Chris Hegarty and a brace from Daniel McHugh gave the visitors a 3-0 lead at half time. In the second half McHugh got his hat-trick in the 64th minute to make it 4-0. Two more goals for Ray Mc Groary and Aaron Slevin in the 67th and 88th minutes respectively made it 6-0 for Donegal to secure a deserved promotion.
Referee: Brian O’Kane
Raphoe Town 0 Cappry Rovers 0
Despite shading the opening half Cappry Rovers were unable to defeat a battling Raphoe Town at Deele College.
With Donegal Town winning in Gweedore Cappry needed to claim all three points to collect the Silverware but it will now go to the last day of the season at least as Cappry still need a point to be crowned champions as thing stand presently. On the day Raphoe matched the table toppers throughout.
Gweedore Celtic 1 Deele Harps 1
This game was played in glorious conditions at An Screaban. The Celts started well and won a penalty 10 minutes in when Chris McFadden was fouled in the area. However Jamie Boyle seen his penalty well saved by the Harps’ keeper.
Deele Harps took the lead 30 minutes in when Brian Breslin took off down the wing and finished well. Gweedore equalised on 50 minutes when the industrious Eamonn McGee converted a Jamie Boyle’s free kick.
Michael Mc Kelvey then made a great tackle to deny Harps the lead. Jamie Boyle nearly snatched 3 points for the Celts on 80 minutes when he cut in from the right and hit a shot that the keeper did well to save at his near post. Best for Gweedore were Jamie Boyle and Ciaran McHugh. Referee: Frank Duff
CT Ball Division Two
Dunkineely Celtic 3 Drumkeen United 1
The home side broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when James Byrne got on the end of a free kick from Paul Murrin.
Niall Bonnar always looked a threat but was well marshalled by Alan Lyons.
Celtic went 2 up in the 40th minute when Nesbitt got on the end of a good through ball from Murrin. Celtic should have gone 3 up in the 55th minute when Conor Shovlin found himself through but was unlucky to see his effort go wide. Drumkeen came more into the game and got one back in the 75 minute through Aaron Doherty.
Both teams fought hard for more goals but it was Celtic who got the killer goal deep into injury time through Nesbit to make it 3- 1 to the home side. Dunkineely had some outstanding performances from Alan Lyons, Johnathon Cassidy and Adrian Nesbitt . A good team effort from Drumkeen.
Referee: Seamus Mc Grory.
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 1 Letterbarrow Celtic 2
Great day for football at Rab’s Park with both teams serving up a great display. Both teams started well and Letterbarrow ‘keeper Mc Grory saved brilliantly form Sean Patton and then from Man of the Match Bernard Mc Gettigan. Kerrykeel captain Shane Sandilands then made a superb save from Peter Slevin on thirty minutes. Liam Mc Girr opened the scoring for the away side on forty four minutes with a great strike from 20 yards.
Kerrykeel drew level on sixty minutes when Sean Patton beat two men before firing low into the corner. Letterbarrow were then awarded a penalty much to the disgust of the home side when keeper Shane Sandilands was adjudged to have fouled in the box and Nathan Carr tucked away the resulting penalty.
After the game, Kerrykeel stalwart John Joe McAteer presented James Mc Grory of Letterbarrow Celtic with crystal to acknowledge their 40 years of service to football.
Curragh Athletic 3 Eany Celtic 2
The game started very fast. It took just thirty seconds for the speedy Gavin Sweeney to open the scoring. Curragh were then awarded a corner which was turned in by Gary Doherty to make it two.
Then, after some great ball work down the right, Chris Darby made it three.
It was all the Curragh up until forty-four minutes when Eany made it 3-1 just before the break.
The second half was much the same, both teams battling for the points. Eany then made it a very nervy finish for the Curragh when they made it 3-2 from the penalty spot. Curragh held on for the win however.
RESULTS
Saturday 11th March 2017
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Strand Rovers 1 v 0 Arranmore United
Glencar Celtic 3 v 1 Drumbar F.C.
Saturday Reserve Division
Milford United Reserves 1 v 0 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
Castlefin Celtic Reserves 4 v 0 St. Catherines Reserves
Keadue Rovers Reserves P v P Cappry Rovers Reserves
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 0 v 3 Glenea United Reserves
Sunday 12th March 2017
Brian Mc Cormick Cup Semi-Finals
Keadue Rovers 0 v 1 Ballybofey United
Rathmullan Celtic 2 v 1 St. Catherines
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Kildrum Tigers 1 v 0 Convoy Arsenal
Castlefin Celtic 4 v 0 Milford United
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Erne Wanderers 2 v 1 Bonagee United
Gweedore United 0 v 6 Donegal Town
Raphoe Town 0 v 0 Cappry Rovers
Gweedore Celtic 1 v 1 Deele Harps
CT Ball Division Two
Dunkineely Celtic 3 v 1 Drumkeen United
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 1 v 2 Letterbarrow Celtic
Curragh Athletic 2 v 3 Eany Celtic
FIXTURES
Friday 17th March 2017 K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)
Glencar Saturday Division
Dunlewey Celtic v Orchard F.C.
Saturday 18th March 2017
Glencar Inn Saturday Division
Arranmore United v Glencar Celtic (K.O. 1p.m.)
Fintown Harps v Strand Rovers
Saturday Reserve Division
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves v Milford United Reserves
Keadue Rovers Reserves v Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Glenree United Reserves v Cappry Rovers Reserves
Sunday 19th March 2017 K.O. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Glenea United v Castlefin Celtic
Drumoghill F.C. v St. Catherines
Milford United v Kilmacrennan Celtic
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Glenree United v Keadue Rovers
CT Ball Division Two
Drumkeen United v Eany Celtic
Lifford Celtic v Cranford United
Curragh Athletic v Whitestrand United
Ballybofey United v Copany Rovers
