It was another busy weekend in the Donegal Junior Leauge 50th anniversary season.
Glencar Inn Saturday Division One
Arranmore United 4 v 3 Kildrum Tigers Reserves
Arranmore were back in league action to as they welcomed Kildrum Tigers to the Island.
The Islanders were back in force today as a few players were returning from injury and it showed as the Aran lads were dominant for the opening half of the game.
But in the 12th minute, due to miscommunication in the backline, Kildrum scored the opening goal.
Arranmore didn’t lose confidence though and continued to pressurise and got their reward when they were given a penalty, which Brian Proctor successfully converted.
Ten minutes later Mardy Mc Carrigle fired a shot straight at the keeper and deflected under his legs and rolled into the net.
Arranmore started the 2nd half with the same tempo and after a brilliant pass over the top from Glenn O’Donnell, Brian was allowed to run onto it and superbly finish for his second goal of the day.
The game started to even out as Kildrum began to come alive.
They began to threaten the Arranmore goal more regularly. On 25 minutes the ball was cleared and once again found Brian Proctor as he tussled with the Kildrum defender and ultimately scored his hat-trick.
Kildrum weren’t out of the game though and continued their attacks on the Islanders defence which led to two penalties, with both being converted.
Great performance from both teams.
Arranmore fielding a lot of younger players with Brian Proctor as MOTM.
Referee: George Montgomery.
Cappry Rovers Reserves 2 v 1 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Keadue got off to a dream start in this game when Michael Green scored with a free kick from 25 yards. Cappry had a chance to get level but Kieran Melaugh’s header was straight at the Keadue keeper.
Keadue were always a threat going forward but the Cappry defence held firm.
Cappry got level when Kyle O’Meara found the net after a good turn and shot in the box.
Cappry started the second half brightly and should have taken the lead when Leo Gallagher headed over the bar from a corner.
Cappry got the winner in the 78th minute when Kyle O’Meara picked up a loose ball inside his own half and ran at the defence and found the bottom corner with a shot from just inside the box.
Two good team performances.
Fintown Harps AFC 2 v 0 Glenea United Reserves
In perfect conditions Harps, still sore from last week’s defeat in the Cup Semi-Final, claimed an important three points.
Fintown were in total control in the first half, they had a great chance on 5 minutes with Aidan Mc Cahill going close.
On 15minutes Michael Mc Kelvey, from just outside the box, scored the game’s opening goal.
Glenea had a great chance on 20 minutes but failed to trouble home custodian Adam Molloy.
Keelan Mc Monagle found his range on 60 minutes with a great shot to find the bottom corner of the net.
Glenea never gave up but Harps held firm to take the victory.
Glencar Celtic 2 v 0 Donegal Town Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Oldtown Celtic 3 v 0 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Strand Rovers 4 v 2 Milford United Reserves
Milford opened scoring on 5 minutes when their young striker latched on to a punt forward from their keeper.
Brendan Brennan equalised on 15 minutes when the ball ended up in the net after a speculative effort from 45 yards. Brendan Glackin hit a quick-fire double on 35 and 37 minutes.
Shane O’ Donnell completed the Strand scoring on 40 minutes.
Milford got a consolation on 85 minutes from the penalty spot.
Old Orchard Saturday Division Two
Copany Rovers 5 v 1 Ballybofey United Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Cranford United Reserves 5 v 4 St. Catherines Reserves
Goals galore in Cranford Park as the home side kept their impressive run of late going.
It was a hectic first half in which St Catherines took the lead but Cranford then scored three unanswered goals.
The game turned once again as St. Catherines scored twice to even it up at 3-3 before a screamer from Dom Potter meant Cranford went in a goal up at half time.
The second half was end to end once again and Cranford had the chance to create a two-goal gap again but they missed from the penalty spot and were punished as St Catherines equalised.
Both sides pushed for the winner and it was Cranford who got it after great work from Dom Potter who squared to Paddy Mc Geever who slotted home to secure the three points.
Drumbar F.C. 1 v 3 Ramelton Mariners
(No Report Submitted)
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 1 v 0 Gweedore Celtic Reserves
Drumoghill started well however Gweedore’s defence was solid and gave up very few chances early on.
Shay Mc Daid went closest to opening the scoring late in the first half when he met an Odhrán Donnelly cross but the Gweedore keeper saved well.
Gweedore came more into the game in the second half but both teams struggled to create any clear-cut chances despite a lot of good football being played at times.
The winner came in the 90th minute when Gareth Temple knocked down a long ball forward to Gavin Johnstone who coolly lobbed the Gweedore keeper to spark wild celebrations at the Moss.
Dunlewey Celtic 2 v 2 Swilly Rovers Reserves
A game of two halves in Glentornan Park. Dunlewey started the game brightly creating multiple chances but were unable to find the way past the Swilly Rovers keeper who had a good game, keeping Dunlewey at bay.
Swilly though came back into the game and took the lead when they scored from a set-piece when Brad Paterson got onto the end of the ball to finish nicely at the back post.
Swilly doubled their lead, again from a set piece.
This time a direct strike from 25 yards from Luke Hanlon.
Swilly went into the break two nil up. Both sides started the second half well with chances at either end but the first goal of the second half went to the hosts when Dunlewey netted from a corner when Joseph Devenney finished well with a header at the front post on 60 minutes.
Dunlewey pushed hard for an equaliser and won a penalty when Conor Mc Mahon broke through the defence and was brought down by the Swilly Rovers keeper. Keith Sweeney stepped up to slot the ball home and level the scores on 75 minutes.
Dunlewey pushed for a winner but a dogged Swilly held on to take a point home.
Sunday 13th
Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division
Convoy Arsenal 2 v 3. Bonagee United
The early exchanges in this game were even.
On 6 minutes Bryan Mc Namee threaded a lovely pass to JP Malley with his resulting shot going narrowly wide.
On 25 minutes Bonagee’s Pete Carr was thwarted from shooting by Steven O’Donnell’s timely intervention.
Oran Patterson broke the deadlock on 35 minutes with a left foot strike after good work by JP Malley in the box.
On 43 minutes, after a corner kick by the visitors, and a subsequent mistake in the Convoy defence, Lee Mc Monagle headed over the keeper for the equaliser.
On 64 minutes a long ball into the Convoy defence from Duncan Patterson caused havoc between the defenders and keeper and Mc Monagle again took advantage to slot home.
On 70 minutes John Doherty headed home from Oran Patterson’s corner kick to restore parity but this this was short lived as only a few minutes later Pete Carr restored the advantage for the visitors after good work by Mc Monagle.
John Doherty and Moore featured for the Arsenal.
Mc Monagle and Duncan Patterson were notable for the visitors.
Referee: Alister Gourley.
Donegal Town 1 v 2 Castlefin Celtic
Town played host to Castlefin and it was Castlefin who dominated first 15 minutes.
Credit to Town who reacted and it finished 0-0 at half-time.
Goals from Dean Kelly, after a wonder save from Enda Kenny, and a volley from Aaron O’ Hagan had Castlefin two up.
Eoin Slevin converted a late penalty and made it a nervy last couple minutes.
Two good team performances.
Referee: Vincent McLaughlin.
Drumkeen United 1 v 1 Glenea United
Glenea were the visitors to a breezy St Patrick’s Park on Sunday Afternoon.
Despite Dominating the early exchanges in this eventful encounter, the visitors found themselves a goal behind after 15 minutes.
Drumkeen were defending stoutly and managing to keep Glenea at bay and every so often they managed a counter attack.
On one such occasion the ball fell to Ryan Mc Gavigan who finished well from the edge of the box to put the home team ahead.
Glenea continued to attack and the home team continued to keep them out with a combination of good defending and good Goalkeeping.
Drumkeen were trying to play good football and Ryan Mc Gavigan nearly added a second goal towards the end of the half when another counter attack nearly caught the visitors out but Mc Gavigan’s effort went wide.
Drumkeen got off to the worst possible start in the second half when Connor Mc Daid who had a fine first half was sent off almost right after the restart.
Without one of their central defenders Drumkeen had to regroup and once again they did a great job, keeping the visitors from scoring.
The Drumkeen task was tough enough with ten men but they were soon down to nine men as Ryan Mc Gavigan saw red and now it was going to be a very long last half hour for the home team.
Drumkeen did their best against eleven men but the longer it went on you did feel the equaliser was coming and it duly arrived after 70 minutes.
Glenea still had plenty of time to get the winner and they tried hard.
Drumkeen had their backs to the wall and at one stage the ball was bouncing around their goal line like a pin ball machine bouncing off a post and a few players before ending up in the Keeper’s Arms.
The last 20 minutes seemed like an eternity for the home team as Glenea kept looking for the winner and they also had a couple of players sent off towards the end of the match.
The ball would just not go into the net again for the visitors and there was great relief when the final whistle went and the Home team had held out and earned what seemed at one stage an unlikely point.
Despite a few red cards this was by no means a dirty game and everyone shook hands at the end.
Keadue Rovers 4 v 1 Cappry Rovers
Keadue Rovers continued their good run of late with their fourth consecutive league win over Cappry Rovers at a wet and blustery Central Park on Sunday.
The game started off at a good tempo and in the first ten minutes Cappry were quick out of the blocks, aided by a strong wind and had a goal ruled out somewhat controversially after a good move up the right-hand side.
Aidan Mc Hugh had Keadue’s first foray into the Cappry box after twenty minutes but he squared a ball to no avail.
On twenty-eight minutes, Cappry had another opportunity but Benny Mc Laughlin’s shot was well saved by Caelan Bonner.
After the half hour Paddy McNulty should’ve given Cappry the lead but missed a header from only a few yards out.
Keadue did improve in the last fifteen minutes of the 1st half and Oran Fallon had a decent run from the left wing, cutting in and having his shot go narrowly wide.
At the start of the second half, with the wind behind them, Keadue started on the front foot and on forty-seven minutes, were rewarded when a through ball from Hugh Moy was met on the run by Aidan Mc Hugh who comfortably slotted home.
The same player was brought off a few minutes later due to injury and this affected the home side who struggled to retain the ball with the result the away side had a lot more of the possession.
In the fifty-sixth minute Paddy Mc Nulty reacted quickest to a breaking ball and he rounded the home keeper to score.
However, Keadue were not deterred and on the hour mark were ahead again when David Ward scored direct from a corner, assisted by the wind.
Keadue were moving it around well now and some good combination play from Peter Mc Gee and Calum Boyle led to a Barry Curran effort going just wide.
The home side made the game safe on sixty-five minutes when following a corner, and several deflections, Chris Greene was on hand to make it three when stabbing home from close range at the far post.
The game was scrappy for the remainder, Cappry having a few decent chances, one of which was saved well in the eighty fifth minute and in injury time Keadue put a little gloss on the scoreline with a well worked fourth goal after some fine work by Peter Mc Gee who laid it off to PJ Doogan who swung on to the left leg before stroking home.
All in all, a good home performance from Keadue, for whom Danny Mc Glynn, Mark Forker and Hugh Moy excelled while for Cappry they will be can be considered unlucky to lose by a three goal margin and were well served by Paddy Mc Nulty and Benny Mc Laughlin.
Referee: Mick Lagan.
Kildrum Tigers 2 v 2 Kilmacrennan Celtic
A share of the spoils at Station Road as this game ended 2-2.
A game of two halves due to weather conditions it was Kilmacrennan who hit the front first, just two minutes into the game Paul Bradley placed his first time shot into the far corner.
Kildrum pulled level after superb work from Brian Breslin as he teed up Luke Toland who made no mistake.
Both teams had big chances shortly after, Kevin Mc Hugh raced through but lost his footing as he bared down on the Kilmacrennan goal.
Moments later it was the impressive Bradley’s turn but he was denied by a fantastic save.
Kilmacrennan reclaimed their lead just before the break, a deep free kick was meet by the head of James Doherty.
It was Kildrum’s turn in the second half to play with a strong breeze, they pushed and pushed and finally drew level as Jack O’Donnell found space in the box and finished well.
Neither team could carve a winner so a point a piece.
Temple Domestic Appliances Division One
Cranford United 1 v 1 Milford United
Late drama in the local Derby as Milford saved a point deep into injury time.
Throughout the game it was a tight battle with the defences of both sides coming out on top.
Cranford had a couple efforts from outside the box that Caolan Mc Gettigan dealt with while up the other end Keelan Pritchard pulled of a good one on one save.
The second half was tight with few chances with the best falling to Danny Mc Bride as his deflected effort rolled just past the post.
Cranford took the lead with ten minutes to go when a great run from Martin Dugera saw him deliver the ball to Dale Mc Fadden who passed the ball into the net.
Milford pushed hard for the equaliser and forced a lot of free-kicks and the pressure paid off when Mark Wilson scored from six yards deep into added time.
Drumoghill F.C. 1 v 5 Gweedore Celtic
Gweedore Celtic cruised to a comfortable win at The Moss in a game that was played in difficult conditions.
Double strikes from both of Cian Mc Bride and Ryan Doherty did the damage on a day when the home side didn’t have any answers.
Playing with the advantage of the wind in the first half, Drumoghill started well but were done on 12 minutes when Mc Bride was first to the ball to fire past Ryan Lockhart.
Despite this the home side continued to dominate the opening half but the visitors looked dangerous on the break and doubled their lead on 32 minutes when Cutliff fired home.
Drumoghill though did pull one back minutes later when Liam O’Donnell reduced the arrears to the minimum.
However, disaster struck for the home side when Gweedore struck twice just before half time when Ryan Doherty converted from close range before Cian McBride finished at the near post after good work from Michael Roarty to put his side 4-1 up.
The second half became a damage limitation exercise for the home side and they did well to contain the game despite playing against the wind.
They restricted the visitors to efforts from long range but did concede again when Ryan Doherty headed home on 70 minutes to seal the win.
Fanad United 5 v 0 Kerrykeel ’71 F.C.
A strong second half display maintained Fanad United’s place at the top of Division One as they overcame local rivals Kerrykeel ‘71 5-0 at Traigh-a-Loch on Sunday.
The first half was a scrappy affair as both sides took time to adjust to the windy conditions.
Both Kerrykeel and Fanad had some half chances but failed to test either keeper.
The 1st chance of note came in the 39th minute when Kerrykeel keeper Shaun Friel produced a fine stop to keep out a well struck Liam Mc Grenaghan free kick from 25 yards.
From the resulting corner Paddy Mc Ginley headed over when well placed. Fanad started the second half the stronger and took the lead on 50 minutes.
Dylan Dorrian surged into the box and when he was taken down a penalty was awarded.
Keelin Mc Elwaine stepped up to fire into the bottom corner.
Just before the hour mark, Fanad extended their lead.
Oisin Langan sent a dangerous free kick into the box and Eddie O’Reilly was on hand to head home.
The goal sparked Kerrykeel into life and the created several chances.
An excellent corner from Mark Mc Ateer caused problems in the Fanad box but James Gallagher did well to clear the ball under pressure.
In the 70th minute a dangerous cross from Mark Mc Ateer was met at the back post by Bernard Mc Gettigan but his well hit volley produced a superb save from Mark Mc Conigley.
With 10 minutes remaining, Fanad extended their lead.
Cian Sweeney hit an excellent through ball and Eddie O’Reilly raced onto it and produced a neat finish when one on one with the keeper.
Fanad then put the result beyond doubt a minute later when Kyle Mc Garvey showed superb control on the edge of the box and he swivelled and fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
The goal of the game came in the final minutes when Martin Mc Elhinney raced through on goal and produced a beautiful chip over the outrushing Shaun Friel.
Referee: Diego Rainey.
Swilly Rovers 1 v 1 Ballybofey United
A share of the spoils in this game played in very windy conditions in Rathmullan.
Swilly really are becoming the draw specialists.
Jamie Lee Blaney in the Swilly goal denied Daithí Mc Mahon with a super save on five minutes.
Ryan Mc Daid and Paddy Sheridan both went close mid-way through the first half before Swilly went ahead on 28 minutes when Ryan Mc Daid produced a clinical finish following an accurate Paddy Sheridan corner.
In the second half Ballybofey pressed more and pushed Swilly back for long periods.
They equalised on 74 minutes when Damien Glackin converted a penalty following a hand ball by a Swilly defender.
Ballybofey went close again near the end as Glackin’s goal bound effort was pushed round the post by Blaney in the Swilly goal.
Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two
Deele Harps 0 v 3 Curragh Athletic
This game was switched to Killygordon and played under the lights on Friday night with Curragh continuing their good run of form under new management.
A Calvin Bradley header on 35 minutes separated the sides at half time.
Curragh extended their lead on the hour with Stephen John Carlin evading an offside decision to finish well.
Deele were reduced to ten men on 61 minutes and Curragh rounded off the victory on 78 minutes when Oisin Duffy played to the whistle and found the net.
Team Performances.
Referee: Trevor Hay.
Dunkineely Celtic 2 v 4 Letterkenny Rovers
At a wet and windy Darney Park, Dunkineely Celtic started the game with a strong breeze on their back but it was Letterkenny Rovers who dominated the early minutes of the game.
The home team got a foothold in the game and the play was end to end as Dunkineely used the breeze to play long balls into the Letterkenny defence but it was the visitors who had the 1st chance with a low shot to Corey Byrne’s left in the Dunkineely goal which was dealt with.
Dunkineely took the lead on 19 minutes when Kyle Breslin converted from 25 yards with an excellent strike.
Letterkenny were unlucky not to be level minutes later when Christopher Boyle turned the ball on to his own crossbar while dealing with a low cross from the right.
Letterkenny were awarded for their efforts on 27 minutes when Patrick Gahir latched onto a through ball and found the back of the net.
Letterkenny took the lead after 32 minutes when Kristian Fuit got onto the end of another through ball and put the ball past the Dunkineely keeper.
The Visitors continued to pile the pressure on the Dunkineely defence and were rewarded with two more goals from Luke Parke and Darragh Morrisson before half-time.
The 2nd half started brightly for both teams and Dunkineely veteran Adrian Nesbitt converted after 55 minutes when a free kick from Jack Boyle dropped to his feet and he found the back of the net.
That was to be the last score of the game, Letterkenny had several chances and were unlucky not to add to their tally but credit must be given to the home team’s defensive efforts.
Glenree United 1 v 2. Gweedore United
A fiery encounter in Carrigart as the two United’s locked horns.
Glenree were fast out of the blocks with Daire Shields opening the scoring in the 11th minute after good work by Andrew Kelly.
Glenree were much the better side in the early exchanges with Conan Brennan also going close to grabbing a goal.
Gweedore came back into it around the half hour mark. Glenree were attacking against a strong wind and were caught out.
The ball was lost in the final third and Gweedore hoofed it long, the wind helping it along.
The ball was retrieved by the Gweedore forward and laid back to Mark Mc Fadden who stuck it in the roof of the net.
Glenree went back up the other end almost immediately.
After a quick exchange of passes between Ultan Mc Groddy and Andrew Kelly, Ultan hit the outside of the post.
The wind really picked up just before half time and it was again a help to Gweedore.
They won a corner out the left which hung up in the breeze, the ball found it’s way to a green players head and was cleared off the line but the ref judged it to be a hand ball.
The resulting penalty was scored by Mark Mc Fadden. Half time 2-1 to the visitors.
Glenree came out of the blocks fast in the 2nd period.
Daire Shields smacked the upright with a strong left footed effort and the Glenree keeper made two good saves with his feet as Gweedore pushed on.
Referee: Barry Hunter
Letterbarrow Celtic 4 v 0 Whitestrand United
Letterbarrow maintained their winning streak with a solid win over a good Whitestrand.
Des Mc Groarty opened the scoring with a great solo goal.
Soon after Martin Breslin scored after a great cross from James Mc Groary.
They went into half time 3-0 up after Christy Burke scored from a great corner.
The second half was nip and tuck but Kevin Mc Brearty ensured the home side would take all three points when he scored a bullet header to mark the recent birth of his son Jack.
Referee: Tony Mc Namee
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