CAPPRY Rovers moved above Kilmacrennan Celtic in the Brian McCormick Sports Premier Division standings, but despite both teams being finished their League programme the race will run for a while yet.
On Thursday night, a meeting of the Donegal League’s disciplinary committee last night stripped three points from Kilmacrennan Celtic from their 3-2 win over Cranford FC on August 9.
Wins today for Cappry and Kilmacrennan mean that Cappry have leapfrogged Kilmacrennan, but with the Lurgy club expected to lodge an appeal, the destination will now be determined in the boardroom.
Seamie ‘Nanny’ Friel scored FOUR goals for Kilmacrennan today in a 6-0 win over Drumkeen while Paddy McNulty hit the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win over Keadue.
Drumkeen United 0 Kilmacrennan Celtic 6
Both teams went in to this game needing the points for different reasons.
Kilmacrennan needed to finish their season with a win to keep alive their title hopes. Drumkeen’s thoughts were at the other end of the table where they find themselves trying to escape from the bottom three.
Played at Drumkeen United’s temporary home in Killygordon the ‘home’ team were missing several regulars but were well in the game for the first 20 minutes.
Then Michael McLaughlin put Kilmacrennan ahead and that was the beginning of the end for the hosts.
Former Drumkeen player Seamie Friel would prove to be their chief tormentor as he scored a goal before half time before adding another three in the second half.
Drumkeen kept plugging away but Kilmacrennan were just too strong for them on the day.
Mark Friel completed the rout when he added a sixth goal.
Drumkeen still have three games to play and at this stage would probably be happy to settle for the play-off spot.
They won’t have too much time to dwell on today’s result as they are back in action in midweek when they head to near neighbours Bonagee United.
Keadue Rovers 0 Cappry Rovers 1
Keadue Rovers lost out to Cappry Rovers in what was both teams final league game of the season at Central Park.
Played in breezy, damp conditions, it was even through the first ten minutes with a good pace to the play.
After ten minutes Cappry had the first opening when Paddy McNulty was in but he misfired. Cappry again went close on 14 minutes when Benny McLaughlin shot over the bar.
McNulty was again influential as the game reached the half-way point of the first half, but all the while Keadue were holding firm on the back line.
The visitors came close on the half hour when a shot was cleared off the line. Keadue had a good closing five minutes to the game when breaks by both Adam McCaffrey and Danny McGlynn just fell short of a final ball.
Luke Neely shot just wide of the Cappry goal before half time. In the second half and the pace was upped again by the visitors but this time they made it pay when a long ball into the defence caused a mix-up between the keeper and defenders and Paddy McNulty was on hand to tap in from close range.
Five minutes later the impressive Benny Mc Laughlin shot just over from thirty yards. On sixty-three minutes Adam Mc Caffrey went close for Keadue but Joe Boyle in the Cappry goals saved well.
On 65 minutes Alan Gethins was in the clear but steered wide of the Keadue goal. It was end to end stuff at this stage as Keadue were throwing everything forward with subs from the bench adding good pace.
Late opportunities fell to Luke Neely who acrobatically scooped a shot that was well saved by Joe Boyle and a Danny McGlynn header saw Luke Neely follow up but again the effort went just wide.
Cappry took the victory in a very competitive game which Keadue can feel slightly unlucky not to take something from.
Best for Cappry were Paddy McNulty, Joe Boyle, Jamie Murray and Benny McLaughlin while best for Keadue were Adam McCaffrey, Hugh Moy, Luke Neely and Paddy Bonner.
Referee: Alastair Gourley.
