CAPPRY ROVERS remain the team to beat in the Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division as they chalked up another victory today at Donegal Town.
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Donegal Town 1-2 Cappry Rovers
On a glorious day for football bottom played top at the Hospital Field. It was Cappry who started quickly, a long ball over the top deceived the Donegal defence and Gethins reacted quickest to put Cappry one up after 10 minutes.
James Byrne for the town had two glorious chances after that, he put a shot just wide of the post and his free header also went wide. Aaron Kelly reacted smartly when Donegal gave the ball away and his powerful shot was well saved by Mc Cafferty but Kelly converted the rebound after 30 minutes.
It was all Cappry after that and only for some fine goalkeeping by Dermot Mc Cafferty, they could have gone in at the break three up. Whilst Cappry may have owned the first half, Donegal to their credit came out fighting in the second half and dominated. The Town emptied their bench and were rewarded when Curneen finished smartly to make it 2-1 with 15 minutes to go.
It was backs to the wall stuff and Town were unlucky not to get a penalty as the ball seemed to strike the hand of a Cappry player with five minutes remaining. Cappry held on however and claimed the three points.
Drumkeen United 2-4 Milford United
Milford were the visitors to Drumkeen on Sunday and went home with all three points. Drumkeen found themselves a goal behind early on when Kyle Black headed home after two minutes.
The home team got back on level terms after 25 minutes when Benny Bonner’s free kick appeared to go into the net without anyone getting a touch. Despite dominating most of the first half the home team found themselves a goal down at half time.
As the half drew to a close Drumkeen failed to deal with a high ball into their box and Adam Serrinha was on hand to tap home Milford’s second. Goalkeeper Ciaran Bonner came on for Drumkeen at half time and he was quickly called into action to deny Kyle Black. Drumkeen then had several chances to go ahead but failed to capitalise before Jason Mc Daid fired home, after a great set up play by Lee Guthrie, on the hour mark.
Drumkeen were still having the best of the game in terms of possession but once again fell behind when Dara Black waltzed through their defence to put Milford 3 – 2 up. The hosts kept pressing for an equaliser but it was not to be their day as Kyle Black added his second and Milford’s fourth when he headed home from a Milford free kick. This was not a classic but it was eventful enough in the second half on yet another cold day in Drumkeen.
Kilmacrennan Celtic 4-1 Bonagee United
(No Report Submitted)
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Drumoghill FC 2-1 Gweedore Celtic
Gweedore Celtic led at half time courtesy of a Dylan Mc Elhinney own goal.Anthony Doherty levelled the match shortly after the break and Connor Temple scored the winner for the hosts at “The Moss.”
Convoy Arsenal 2-1 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
Convoy Arsenal welcome Kerrykeel to Orchard Park on a fine afternoon for soccer. Evan Mac Bride’s cross after 10 minutes was headed inches wide by JP Malley.
A few minutes later two early changes were forced on the home team when Dolan and Bogle were introduced after injuries to Darren Mc Elwaine and Noah Mailey. Paddy Dolan gave the home team the advantage on 16 minutes when his wonderfully struck free kick from near to the sideline fooled the defence and keeper.
Kerrykeel equalised on 26 minutes when Sean Little’s delivery was slotted home by Patrick Carr.Marty Mc Ateer brought a great save from Convoy keeper Matt Gallagher on the half hour mark with a well struck volley.Minutes after the interval Convoy went 2-1 up when JP Malley scored a penalty at the second attempt when the keeper was adjudged to have come off his line for the first spot kick.
The visitors spurned a free kick on 70 minutes and again just before the end they came close but the Convoy defence proved resolute. Best for the visitors were Marty Mc Ateer and Patrick Carr with Paddy Dolan and Gary Wilson featuring for the home team in what really was a great team performance. Referee: Gerald Devine.
St. Catherines 3-0 Letterbarrow Celtic
A youthful St. Catherine’s team started this game on the front foot and made all the early chances.
Ryan Cunningham was a constant threat to the Letterbarrow defence and on 24 minutes got his just rewards when he was tripped inside the box. Ryan himself calmly slotted home the spot-kick. The score remained 1-0 until the break.The home team really meant business in the second half and only for Cathal Charlton pulling off some excellent saves the game would have been put to bed early.On 55 minutes he could do nothing about a low right footed drive from the edge of the box from James Callen which doubled the St. Catherines advantage.With the score now at two nil the saints started to show more confidence and controlled the game right till the end. The icing on the cake came in injury time when Letterbarrow were over committed looking for a goal, David Mc Guinness found himself in acres of space and slammed home the third goal from the right-hand side of the Letterbarrow box.Ryan O’ Brien had a good game for the visitors while once again Evan Broderick was dominant in the middle of the field for the Saints.
Rathmullan Celtic 5-1 Lifford Celtic
Rathmullan Celtic returned to winning ways in emphatic style with a comprehensive 5-1 win over Lifford Celtic at a sun-drenched Flagpole Field. Hoops’ shot stopper Shaun Gallagher was unavailable for the game due to holidays but was impeccably replaced by former Hoops’ legend Mark Walsh and the experienced net minder had a stormer which set up the Hoops win.
The Seasiders took the lead on the half hour mark following a James Gallagher free kick from the right wing which was floated in to Kevin Doran who set up Chris Kemp who dispatched past Lifford’s James Russell from inside the six-yard box. On the stroke of half time, Hoops wing wizard Gallagher was fouled and the resulting free kick from 35 yards from Doran found its way into Russell’s top corner to make it 2-0.
On 47 minutes Kemp found himself on the scoresheet when the centre midfielder slotted home a fine Doran cross from the right to finish off the game as a contest. On the hour mark Ephrim Mc Fadden made a blistering run from centre half and played an exquisite one-two with Eoin Sheridan before finishing with aplomb into Russell’s bottom left corner from 20 yards out in what was the best play of the game.
Lifford were rewarded for their efforts on 75 minutes when the Hoops’ defence gave a simple ball away to Niall Coyle on the edge of the area and he passed inside to Anthony Crossan giving the striker a simple tap in to reduce the deficit. Hoops’ gaffer Deeney emptied the bench and it was striker Darragh Green who won his side a penalty on 85 minutes when he was fouled inside the area. Midfield maestro Sheridan made no mistake from the spot to cap off a fine performance from the skipper.
Ballybofey United 2-2 Glenea United
Ballybofey United will be disappointed with how this game finished but Glenea will have travelled back to the Gaeltacht knowing they got out of jail at Dreenan. Brian Lafferty had the host side in front after only minutes and Damien Glackin increased their advantage before the ten-minute mark had been reached. A rip-roaring start from the Twin Towns side but that’s as good as it got. They did hold the lead for almost the entire game but Glenea never lay down and got a goal back on eighty-five minutes. It is on days like these that title chasing sides earn their laurels and the Glasserchoo men found an equaliser on eighty eight minutes to claim a share of the spoils that looked beyond them for so long.
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Raphoe Town 2-0 Lagan Harps
A string of fine saves from goalkeeper Damien Mc Fadden wasn’t enough to stop Lagan Harps from falling to defeat against Raphoe Town who claimed all three points thanks to a goal in each half.
Raphoe are still in the hunt for honours and showed their intent early on, Mc Fadden making a super stop to parry away Zak Brolly’s rasping effort and his defence somehow scrambling the rebound away after Dylan Brolly had followed up with a strike.
Keelin Bogle split the Lagan defence with a super ball in the 8th minute for Conor Friel to race clear, but once again Mc Fadden came to the rescue with a great save with his feet.Oliver Quinn was next to be denied, his close-range effort, after a corner fell to him in the box, again saved by the inspired Mc Fadden, but Raphoe kept pressing.They got their reward in the 26th minute when Paddy Kelly did brilliantly to hold up a fine cross from Conor Friel and rolled the ball to Keelin Bogle to smash home for a fine goal.
Mc Fadden saved again, denying Corey Gillen after a great run by Bogle and just before half time, diving smartly to save from Paddy Kelly’s header.Lagan rarely mustered a chance of any real note, their closest coming in the 46th minute when Noel Donnelly steered a shot wide after a free from Ciaran Quinn.
Two minutes later, the home side extended their lead. Roy Duffy’s long clearance went straight through the Lagan defence and the alert Corey Gillen nipped in to clip the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.Raphoe pressed for more but Mc Fadden saved again and again and in the end the home side had to be happy with just two goals, but a good three points.
Deele Harps 7-1 Dunkineely Celtic
Deele entertained Dunkineely in difficult conditions at The Athletic Grounds in this Division Two fixture. It was the home side who were in control from start to finish but only led by one goal at the break.
Matthew O’ Rourke finishing well on 25 minutes. The second half began with Deele on the front foot and they increased their lead on 50 minutes through Ryan Henry.
The visitors pulled one back against the run of play on 55 minutes but that sparked Deele into action. An Alan Brookes header on 62 minutes was quickly followed by young Cameron Mahon adding a third.
Jordy Duffy scored a spectacular long range effort on 62 minutes to leave Deele comfortable. Aidy Gallagher was keen to get in on the act and added a fine strike to make it 6-1 before Cameron Mahon grabbed his second goal on 90 minutes to complete the rout. Team Performance from Deele.
Gweedore United 3-0 Glenree United
Gweedore United played hosts to Glenree at a windswept Carrickboyle under lights on Saturday evening. The home team applied the early wind-assisted pressure enjoying the lion’s share of possession, penetrating almost at will. First blood was drawn after 16 minutes, Stephen Doyle Mc Fadden finishing from close range after some excellent play down the right. This was followed by a fine run and finish from Ciarán Mc Fadden. A third followed from Gavin Mc Bride who converted a Mark Mc Fadden corner.
A sizeable crowd were entertained by marquee defending from the home side, Conor Mc Fadden was outstanding. Good, aggressive forward play from Rónán Ó Donnell and Ciarán Mc Fadden forced some excellent goalkeeping from Conan Brennan between the Glenree sticks.
The second half saw Glenree trio John Manus, Hugh O’Donnell and Dara Shields threaten early on but strong representation from Gweedore’s substitutions Gary Mc Fadden and Niall Friel made sure on balance the home team always held the upper hand. Mark Mc Fadden controlled the centre with a lovely range of passing in the 2nd half. Glenree’s task was made almost impossible having gone three down after 30 minutes, the home side can take confidence from a dominant squad display with players vying for game time in almost every position.
It was a team performance from Glenree with man of the match performances by Conor Mc Fadden and Ronan O’ Donnell for the home side on the night. Referee: Kevin Logue
Saturday 25thJanuary 2020
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Milford United Reserves 0-2 Donegal Town Reserves
This was a great game at Moyle View Park on Saturday. It was very evenly contested. There was great competition in the middle of midfield and Jamie Whelan was very good along with Johnny Sweeney. A last minute penalty converted by Donegal Town finished the game off
Fintown Harps AFC 0-4 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Fintown were on top throughout the first half but could not find the net. In the second half Keadue had a strong wind to their backs and were on top. They put four past a Fintown side that never give u
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Dunlewey Celtic 3-5 Drumkeen United Reserves
Blustery conditions in Glentornan Park for this clash. A poignant moment before kick off as the two teams remembered Dunlewey’s former player Micheal Roarty.
The game started at a high tempo with Drumkeen playing with the wind in the first half. They struck goals in quick succession and they went into the break 5-0 up through goals from Jason Mc Daid, who got two, Darren and Conor Bonner and a goal from Aidan Martin. Dunlewey pushed and pushed in the second half and pulled three goals back with two from Christopher Cannon and one from Eamonn Collum. It was too little too late as Drumkeen brought the three points home with them.
Ballybofey United Reserves 3-0 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
Ballybofey United Reserves earned three valuable points when Drumoghill F.C. Reserves visited on Saturday afternoon. They led by one goal to nil at the break courtesy of Conor Doherty’s strike. Conor Cairns extended their lead in the second half and Michal Scully added a third to secure the victory. Referee: Gerard Devin
Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves 4-3 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Copany Rovers 1-5 Cranford United Reserves
(No Report Submitted
Tags: