Here’s all the reports from the action that took place in the Donegal League over the weekend.
Glencar Inn Division One
Glencar Celtic 1 v 0 Kildrum Tigers Reserves
Glencar Celtic hosted Kildrum Tigers at home, in Rathmullan, on a very warm day. Both
teams tried to play football but Glencar started to turn the game in their favour and got their reward when a rare mistake from veteran defender Brian Coll let in sharp shooter Paddy Rafferty to round the keeper and finish in style. This goal was enough for the home side to earn a well-deserved three points. Glencar would like to wish Kildrum midfielder Ciaran Crooner a speedy recovery. Referee: Seamie Ferry
Glenea United Reserves 2 v 0 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Glenea Reserves got their league programme underway again with a hard-fought Gaeltacht derby victory over a Keadue. Glenea started well and created a couple of good opportunities with Michael Barry, Christopher Barrett and Luke Mc Carry going close to opening the scoring. As the half progressed Keadue came more into the game and forced Shaun Mc Clafferty in the home goal to make a couple of fines saves from Jack Doherty and Jordan Doogan. As halftime approached Cathal Mc Geever saw his cross just headed over the bar by Michael Barry.
In the 2nd half both teams tried hard to create clear chances but found the going difficult against both sets of defences. On 70 minutes a long goal-kick from the home keeper caught out the Keadue defence but Michael Barry saw his header well saved.
Glenea finally opened the scoring on 80 minutes when Neil Mc Geever got on the end of a free kick from the right to head home at the back post. Keadue pushed hard for an equaliser but were denied by the home defence and were made to pay on 85 minutes when, on the break, Ryan McFadden’s through ball released Cathal Mc Geever and his cross from the right was turned in by Nathan O’Brien. It was good to see some live football again with both teams giving their all. Referee: Gerard Devine.
Fintown Harps AFC 2 v 6 Oldtown Celtic
Fintown started well but Oldtown went ahead after 20 minutes. Oldtown added to their lead then John Molloy took a world class free kick and put it in the top corner. At half-time it was 2-1 to Oldtown. In the second half Oldtown were again the better team and added two more goals. NF Boyle, Fintown Harps’ man of the match came from centre back to score his first senior goal. It was well wort the wait. Oldtown ran out 6-2 winners with a good performance on the day. Fintown continue to battle for their survival with three games left in the league.
Old Orchard Division Two
Cappry Rovers Reserves 5 v 1 Drumbar F.C.
Cappry started the game well and pressed for an early lead in this one. Drumbar defended well in the opening period with the hosts unable to find a way through. The breakthrough finally came in the 22nd minute when Karl Mc Glynn crossed for Ronan Carlin to score. In the 27th minute the same two players combined, again for Ronan Carlin to make it 2-0.
Cappry were well on top now and got their 3rd goal when Karl Mc Glynn finished off a nice Cappry move. Drumbar didn’t give up and in the 40th minute they got a goal back through Vinny Breslin who headed home from close range. Cappry started the 2nd well and made it 4-1 in the 53rd minute when Leo Gallagher fired home from the edge of the box. Ronan Carlin completed his hat-trick in 64th minute when he finished well at the back post. Two team Performances. Referee: Diego Rainey
Ballybofey United Reserves 0 v 1 Dunlewey Celtic
Dunlewey Celtic had a fruitful first visit ever to Dreenan where they were hosted by Ballybofey United Reserves. A Lorcan Gallagher goal ten minutes into the second half was all it took to see the Glentornan Park men travel back to the foot of Errigal with three points in the bag. Apart from the goal that ultimately decided the proceedings, there was little between the sides on their return to action after the lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions.
Sunday 19th July 2020
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division K.0. 2p.m. (Unless Stated)
Cappry Rovers 4 v 0 Cranford United
Cappry Rovers got back to winning ways when they defeated Cranford United 4-0 at Cappry Park on Sunday. Cappry put pressure on the visitors from the start and they were rewarded with a goal in the fifth minute when Sean Mc Bride scored with a shot to the net. Cranford tried to get into the game after that but it was Cappry who scored their second goal in the twenty second minute when Ronan Coyle scored following a cross from Jamie Murray. Patrick Mc Nulty hit the visitor’s crossbar in the forty second minute with a diving header.
It was 2-0 at the break. Cranford gave the home defence a few anxious moments early on in the second half but good defending and few good saves by Joe Boyle in the Cappry goal kept them at bay. Cappry kept the pressure on the Cranford defence and were rewarded in the sixty third minute when Sean Mc Bride scored his second goal and Cappry’s third when he rifled the ball to the net after receiving a pass from Ronan Coyle. Cranford tried in vain to get a goal but to no avail. Cappry sealed the points in the sixty eighth minute when Sean Mc Bride broke into the area only to be fouled. Referee Liam Mc Laughlin pointed to the spot. Mc Bride took the penalty himself to score and complete his hat-trick.
Best for Cappry Sean Mc Bride and Joe Boyle. Keeper Conor Mc Bride and Seamus Carr were best for Cranford. Referee: Liam Mc Laughlin.
Drumkeen United 1 v 3 Kildrum Tigers
Drumkeen returned to football with a game against Kildrum Tigers. This was officially Drumkeen’s home game but as St Patrick’s Park is currently under re-development the game was played at Curragh Athletics’ fine facilities in Killygordon.
The “visitors” took all three points but had to work hard for them and only put the issue beyond doubt near the end of the Match. Drumkeen began well and took an early lead when Gavin Sweeney took advantage of some hesitancy in the Kildrum defence to fire home the opening goal. Drumkeen had the best of the early exchanges but Kildrum equalised after 15 minutes when a corner wasn’t cleared properly and the ball fell to Jamie Mc Kinney who fired home from close range. Drumkeen finished the half strongly and probably should have taken the lead just before half time.
Gary Patton found Gavin Sweeney with a great pass out on the right wing and Sweeney then put a great cross in to the box but Jamie Gallagher just couldn’t make contact with it. Drumkeen then had the ball in the net but it was adjudged to be offside by referee Mick Lagan right on the stroke of half time. Kildrum made the better start to the second half and Drumkeen had to withstand a lot of pressure which they did and managed to reach the water break without suffering any damage.
During this time, they did have a chance when Gavin Sweeney was fouled on the edge of the box but the resultant free kick from Benny Bonner went over the bar. We entered the last quarter with the game still very much in the balance. Drumkeen had a great chance to go in front when Gavin Sweeney found Jamie Gallagher in the middle and just as Gallagher was about to shoot Johnny Mc Ginty got a touch which took the ball away from Gallagher and it went harmlessly wide of the post. Kildrum took the lead in the 75th minute when William Lynch headed home from a corner.
Drumkeen did not give up though and Kildrum’s keeper was called in to action to make a good save to preserve their lead. Shortly after that Kildrum put the result beyond doubt when a great volley from Kevin McHugh gave keeper Paul Mc Cauley no chance. The third goal killed off Drumkeen’s hopes but if it had not arrived the last five minutes would have been tense. As it was Kildrum got the points they need to continue their title push.
Keadue Rovers 0 v 2 Kilmacrennan Celtic
Kilmacrennan Celtic took another step closer to the title with this win over a dogged Keadue outfit at a sunny Central Park on Sunday. The away team were quick into their stride and moved it well in the first ten minutes, with Keadue content to hit on the break. Kilmacrennan went ahead in the twelfth minute when a run into the box by Seimi Friel was halted by Keadue keeper Danny Rodgers who was sent off and the resultant penalty was dispatched coolly by Michael Mc Laughlin.
As the half went on Kilmacrennan were enjoying the majority of possession but the home defence, well marshalled by Chris Greene, kept them at bay and close to half time a rare and decent opportunity fell Keadue’s way when an excellent run by Mikey McFadden, down the wing, ended in a shot which was blocked by the away defence. All the while it was pretty scrappy and this suited the home side with a man less.
At the start of the second half Kilmacrennan again made a good start forcing three consecutive corners just before the hour mark and pinning Keadue back. Keadue had a good breakaway on sixty-two minutes when Adam Mc Caffrey hurtled down the left wing and his cross into the box was met by Daniel Mc Hugh whose effort was blocked.
Two minutes later the game’s fate was complete when, following a mix up in the home defence, a back-pass to the keeper wasn’t properly dealt with and Michael Mc Laughlin was again on hand to drive home from outside the box to double Kilmacrennan’s lead. Two minutes later David Ward had a shot over the bar for Keadue, then in the closing minutes, Seimi Friel had an effort well saved by Keadue sub keeper Caelan Bonner. All in all, a deserved victory for Kilmacrennan but Keadue can take credit for a game performance despite missing several regulars. Best for Kilmacrennan were Ryan Shiels and Michael Mc Laughlin while best for Keadue were Chris Greene and Jay Doherty. Referee: Andrew Mullin.
Bonagee United 1 v 2 Castlefin Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Milford United 1 v 5 Donegal Town
(No Report Submitted)
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
St. Catherines 1 v 1 Ballybofey United
Emerald Park looked splendid in the sunshine and the decent, socially distant, crowd where keen to see some action again.
They weren’t disappointed as both sides played attractive football on a beautifully mana cured surface. The home side looked the most likely to break the deadlock playing most of the football in the visitor’s half but without really testing Chris Patton in the away goal.
Ballybofey weathered the storm and were awarded a free just outside the “18” on 35 minutes. This was sublimely dispatched by Damien Glackin into the roof of the Saints’ net. This lead only lasted 2 minutes, Ryan Cunningham latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the Ballybofey box and drilled low and hard to the keeper’s right making it 1-1. In the second half both teams pushed for the three points. Eoin Love had an excellent game and had serval shots tipped over by Patton to deny the home team a victory. Conor Doherty was a power-house in the middle but could not break down a dogged Ballybofey defence which included great displays from Shaun Mc Gowan and Michael Lafferty. 1 – 1 was the final result and probably the fairest outcome
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Deele Harps 1 v 3 Lagan Harps
Deele welcomed Lagan to Lifford on a fine day for football. Lagan looked the more likely winners from the early stages with Corey Mc Cahill causing problems for a makeshift Deele defence. The visitors did take the lead on 15 minutes when Ciaran Cunningham finished well following a good Lagan move.
Then on 25 minutes, Corey Mc Cahill finished from close range. Deele huffed and puffed and Jordy Duffy was busy up front and almost pulled one back when, first Damien McFadden made a great save from a Conor Catterson free kick and then Conor Mc Gurn struck a post following a mazy run.
The second half started with Lagan on top again and the away side extended their lead on 55 minutes with a fine individual goal. Deele finally got one back on 70 minutes when Jordy Duffy finished well from a Brandon Connolly through ball. Lagan had opportunities to score again but a combination of wasteful finishing and some super stops from young David Arthur meant the game finished 1-3 to the visitors. Team performances with Corey Mc Cahill shining for Lagan.
