Kilmacrennan Celtic 7 V 2 Milford United Kilmacrennan Celtic striker Daire McDaid scored five times to go top of the goal scoring charts in the Donegal League’s Premier Division but neither that or indeed this 7-2 victory over neighbours Milford United were enough as Castlefin Celtic clinched the title with an equally impressive win over Kildrum Tigers. Gary Whoriskey’s 30 yards cracker in the third minute got Kilmacrennan Celtic off to the perfect start in a game they had to win and hope that Castlefin would slip-out. Milford’s Kyle Black forced a good save from Liam McBride in the 9th minute and Daire McDaid produced a brillant first touch , run and shot in the 13th minute . The vital second goal for Kilmac arrived in the 35th minute when Jamie Doherty did brillantly on the right and his pinpoint cross was headed home by McDaid from six yards. Charlie Collins was at Flag Pole Park. Milford were back in the game in the 57th minute when Joey Cullen headed in Gary Merritt’s excellent cross but five minutes later Daire McDaid’s drive took a big deflection and flew into the far top corner of the net, 3-1 to Kilmacrennan Celtic. From then on the goals flowed at the Milford Utd end. Daire McDaid completed his hat-trick with another harder , then walked the ball into the net after a defensive error left him clean through to make it 5-1. Joey Cullen replied with another header for 5-2 but sub Christopher Dillon made it 6-2 and McDaid rounded off the victory with his fifth and Kilmac’s seventh , a goal that lifts him to the top of the goal scoring charts in the Premier Division . So a big win finish for Kilmacrennan Celtic but ultimately disappointment about a League title they will probably got away. Kilmacrennan Celtic ; Liam McBride , James Doherty, John Sandilands Declan O Donnell ( Gerard McGranaghan 75mins ) , Ryan Shields , Enda McCormick , Gary Whoriskey , Daniel McLaughlin ( Christopher Dillon 80mins ) , Seamus Friel , Daire McDaid , Michael McLaughlin . Milford United ; Damian Crossan , Brendan Murray ( Ciaran Gibbons 65mins ), Christy McCafferty , James Logue ( Lorcan Friel 60mins ) , Terence Shields , Anthony Hegarty , Adam Serrinha , Joey Cullen , Kyle Black , Gary Merritt , Damian Casey ( Peter Doherty 63mins ). Referee ; Paddy Martin.
Kilmacrennan Celtic hit Seven but it’s all in vain
written by
Chris McNulty
May 19, 2019
Chris McNulty
Author of 'Boxing In Donegal: A History (2021)' - the definitive history of the sport in County Donegal - and 'Relentless: A Race Through Time', the 2019 memoir of former Irish Athletics Team Manager Patsy McGonagle. From St Johnston and now based in Letterkenny, Chris was a nominee for NUJ Sports Journalist of the Year in 2010. Honoured by the Donegal Boxing Board in 2016 for his coverage on the sport.