Another packed schedule in the Donegal League kicked-off this week.
Here are all your reports, results and fixtures.
Wednesday 24th August 2022
Brian Mc Cormick Cup
Gweedore Area
Group A
Gweedore Celtic 1 v 1 Gweedore United
A goal in the first minute and a goal in the fifth minute of injury time at the end of the game saw both teams sharing the spoils in this hard-fought local derby. The away team got the perfect start scoring in the first minute of the game when Matthew Galway got on the end of Ciaran Mc Fadden’s through ball to score from close range. The concession of the early goal rocked the young home team and they found it hard to get a foothold in the game with United always looking dangerous on the break. Some solid defending by Fiachra Coyle and Shaun Gallagher kept Stephen Mc Fadden and Ciaran Mc Fadden at bay whilst Cian Gallagher in goals for United was alert several times when Celtic did threaten. In a one on one situation he did well to prevent Cian Mc Bride from equalising in the twenty fifth minute. The second half saw more urgency from Celtic but the Gweedore United defence, along with the hard working Owenie Gallagher in midfield, was not for breaking. The home team dominated possession but were lucky not to find themselves two in arrears when Darragh Boyle’s effort came off the post with twenty minutes remaining. Na Ceiltigh, with a number of substitutions, began creating chances with Thomas Diver and Colin Ferry coming close and when Neil Doran missed an opportunity deep in injury time it seemed as if the away team had secured the victory, however, Colin Ferry’s exquisite through ball for Johnny O’Donnell to finish to the net in the ninety fifth minute rescued a point for the hard-working home team. Referee: Mick Lagan
Thursday 25th August 2022
Brian Mc Cormick Cup
Gweedore Area
Group B
Cranford United 1 v 5 Kilmacrennan Celtic
Goals from Chris Dillion (3), Gary Gorman and Cathal Mc Daid ensured last year’s Premier Division Champions Kilmacrennan started their Brian Mc Cormick Cup campaign with a win against an under-strength Cranford. Kilmacrennan were out of the blocks quick and were four goals to the good after twenty-five minutes. Cranford improved in the second half and got a goal back but Kilmacrennan added a fifth to run out comfortable winners.
Lifford Area
Group A
Convoy Arsenal 1 v 2 Drumoghill F.C.
(No Report Submitted)
Saturday 27th August 2022
Voodoo Venue Cup
Area 1
Cranford United Reserves 0 v 3 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
Kilmacrennan went away with the win from Cranford Park in a game that was closer than the scoreline suggests. Cranford started the better and had two great chances in the first 20 minutes to take the lead but both times they couldn’t find the target. Kilmacrennan took the lead after 25 minutes when a speculative shot found its way into the net. Five minutes later it was two when a mistake in the Cranford defence let Eddie Doherty run clear and score. Cranford again started the second half well and had chances to score, one of which saw Martyn Cullen beat three men but his effort somehow hit the post and didn’t find the net. While Cranford pushed hard they conceded a 3rd in the last minute.
Ramelton Mariners 2 v 0 Glencar Celtic
(No Report Submitted)
Swilly Rovers Reserves 3 v 3 Milford United Reserves
Swilly got on the score-sheet first when Shaun Bryant was first to react firing the ball home from close range after John Matthews made a save from the initial shot. Swilly then doubled their lead after a Shaun Bryant free kick was stopped again by Matthews but Evan Ryan was there to get his first goal for his new side. Milford got one back shortly afterwards when Corrie-Lee Blaney got on the end of a Ciaran Blaney cross. Halftime score was 2-1 to Swilly. The second half started brightly and Swilly restored their two-goal lead when Dylan Hegarty got on the end of a fine delivery from Edan Bradley. Milford started to push forward more and got one back after some fine play by Corrie before he found the top corner from the edge of the box. Milford got the leveller with ten minutes to go after they broke down the left side and got through on goal, Blaney in the Swilly nets made the initial save but Blaney followed in to make it a hat-trick and rescue a point for the visiting side. Referee: Paul Murphy
Area 2
Drumbar United 2 v 2 Copany Rovers
(No Report Submitted)
Fintown Harps AFC 5 v 2 Donegal Town Reserves
In excellent conditions Fintown started brightly, taking the lead with Stephen Boyle slotted home from 6 yards on the 10th minute. Donegal Town responded 5 minutes later with Stephen Curran finding the range to level it up. Fintown responded well with some great play in midfield and Thomas Long found the net to put them 2-1 up. Donegal fought hard and got back on level terms again through Joe Stitt. Fintown struck again just before half time with Aidan Mc Cahill beating the Donegal Keeper, 3-2 at half time. The Second half started well for Fintown with Mc Cahill getting his second goal of the day in the 50th minute. Curran then completed his brace of goals putting Fintown 5-2 up with still a half an hour to play. Donegal pushed hard but Fintown stayed firm in defence and saw the game out. Best for Fintown Harps AFC was Stephen Boyle. Team effort from Donegal Town Reserves.
Area 3
Arranmore United 2 v 2 Keadue Rovers Reserves
(No Report Submitted)
Dunlewey Celtic 4 v 1 Glenea United Reserves
Dunlewey welcomed local rivals Glenea United Reserves to Glentornan Park to the season opener in the Voodoo Venue Cup. Dunlewey started brightly and went on the attack straight away with Chris Cannon playing a dangerous diagonal ball through to Joseph Devenney. Dunlewey then broke the deadlock when Paul Coll pounced on a loose ball in the box to slot home. Dunlewey kept the pressure on and scored a second when Conor Mc Mahon broke through and rifled the ball into the top corner beating the Glenea keeper to make it 2-0 to the hosts. Conor Mc Mahon then turned provider when he took on the Glenea defence to pull the ball back to Joseph Devenney who slotted home from close range. 3-0 was the score at half time. Glenea started the second half very well and were a different side compared to the first half. They upped the tempo and began creating chances. They were thwarted on a couple of occasions by fantastic saves from Daniel Roarty in goals for the home side. Glenea grabbed a goal back with a well worked move finished off by Calvin Murray in the area on 75 minutes. Dunlewey however struck back immediately when Joseph Devenney restored Dunlewey’s three goal cushion on 77 minutes.
Area 4
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 0 v 0 Ballybofey United Reserves
Drumoghill welcomed Ballybofey United to The Moss in perfect playing conditions for a game. It was a hard-fought draw. The first half was very tight with no clear-cut opportunities for either team. The second half saw the home keeper Jay Wozzer push a great free kick effort from Ballybofey around the post on 55 minutes. Drumoghill probably should have taken the lead when Chris O’ Donnell headed at goal and the crossbar came to Ballybofey United’s aid. A few clear-cut chances followed for both teams but it ended up with no goals scored. Team performances from both teams all over the pitch but it was the two veterans Tinney and Chris O” Donnell who helped Drumoghill FC to a clean sheet and a share of the points. Referee: Paddy Martin.
Kildrum Tigers Reserves 1 v 0 Cappry Rovers Reserves
Kildrum scored the only goal of the game in the first minute when Daniel Coyle tapped in at the back post from a Reece Duncan Cross, his first goal at senior level. The rest of the game played out with few chances for either team aside from a Cappry shot that was well blocked by ta Kildrum defender. Kildrum had a half chance but Mc Fadden’s effort was well saved by the Cappry keeper.
Oldtown Celtic 7 v 0 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Oldtown started the better applying pressure before taking the lead through a Joe Friel penalty after Luke Nelis was fouled in the box. Michael Gibson in the Oldtown goal pulled off a fine stop before Luke Friel added a second. Both Luke and Joe Friel added another each from close range before half time. Oldtown started the second half in a similar fashion with Ciaran Gibson firing home a 5th on the volley before sub Mick Hawe headed home a superb 6th. Ciaran Cleary added a 7th with a neat finish before Oldtown played the last fifteen minutes with ten men due to an injury.
Sunday 28th August 2022
Brian Mc Cormick Cup
Letterkenny Area
Group A
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 1 v 3 Whitestrand United
A great day for football and a great game between two neighbours. The ‘71 started well and went in front on 20 minutes when Aaron Mc Conigley fired home after great work from young Charlie Mc Ateer. ‘Strand’ hit the post on the stroke of half time when John Heraghty was unlucky. Kerrykeel missed a few chances to go two up and were made rue them as ‘Strand’ levelled after the water break with a great finish from inside the box. Young Declan Brouhan than came off the bench to score two in the last five minutes, the first a great finish. Kerrykeel we’re unlucky with injuries and lost two men in the first half and two in the warm up which proved costly. To be fair the young ‘Strand’ side played well and a large bench proved the difference. Best we’re young Charlie Mc Ateer and Brandon Mc Clafferty, both making their debuts and Mc Devitt did well. A solid Team effort from the ‘Strand’. Referee: Allister Gourley
Rathmullan Celtic 1 v 1 Fanad United
The Hoops opened the scoring on 35 minutes when the hugely impressive Jay Curran latched onto a scintillating Kevin O’Donnell run and cross from the left wing after Eoin Sheridan set the winger on his way. Both sets of supporters enjoyed Anne Sheridan’s exquisitely good sandwiches and tea which certainly fuelled the teams for a breath taking second half of football which kept referee Vincent Mc Loughlin busy in the centre. The game somewhat changed on the hour mark when the Hoops talismanic midfielder Eoin Sheridan was put through one on one with Fanad keeper Mark Mc Conigley with the shot stopper coming out on top with a fine save to keep his team in the game. With this lifeline, Fanad launched an attack on the Hoop’s goal with Hoops midfielder Jamesy Gallagher fouling United’s forward Dylan Mc Gloin in the box which resulted in a penalty kick. Caolan Mc Elwaine made no mistake giving Hoops’ stopper Shaun Gallagher no chance to equalise. Fanad probably should have taken the lead on 75 minutes when Mc Elwaine hit the post from outside the area with the rebound falling to Mc Gloin but the striker struck his clear-cut chance off the opposite post much to the relief of the home faithful. The final attack saw Hoops’ winger O’ Donnell whip in a dream corner to Chris Kemp who thundered a header bound for the top corner but the Fanad keeper Mc Conigley made an outstanding reflex fingertip save to deny Rathmullan a winner and it was a save that drew huge applause from all supporters. A fair result for Sheridan and Lynch’s sides with Ronan Morris and Jay Curran impressing all afternoon. Referee: Vincent Mc Laughlin
Group B
Bonagee United 1 v 0 Milford United
The first real chance fell to the visitors on eight minutes when a cross into the box from Ciaran Mc Gettigan went just wide of the post. The home side had their first chance on twelve minutes when Eamon Cannon saw his strike from thirty yards go just wide of the post. Jordan Gallagher, for the home side, hit the post from twenty-five yards two minutes later. Niall Mc Crossan had a great chance to put the home side ahead on sixteen minutes but his shot from ten yards was blocked by Hagan in the visitor’s goal. Bonagee took the lead on twenty-three minutes when Gallagher laid the ball off to Cannon who put through a great ball to Coady Brogan and he shot home from eight yards. On twenty-seven minutes Harkin in the home goal had to make a very good save from a Garry Merritt strike from the edge of the box. Three minutes later Merritt again laid the ball off to Liam Donnelly but his strike from fifteen yards went wide of the post. On thirty-eight minutes an Eamon Cannon shot from thirty yards went just over. Merritt was a handful up front. The visitors thought they had levelled on forty-four minutes when a cross into the box was dropped by the keeper but it was cleared off the line by a defender. Merritt again saw his shot on gaol on fifty minutes well saved by Harkin. Jordan Gallagher saw his free kick from twenty yards go over the bar on fifty-seven minutes. Merritt also saw his free from the edge of the box go over on the hour. Peter Carr for Bonagee had a strike from twenty yards brilliantly saved by the keeper on seventy-six minutes. Both sides had half chances in the last ten minutes but both Keepers were In top form and the home side held out for the win. Team efforts by both teams. Referee: Mick Lagan.
Letterkenny Rovers 2 v 1 Swilly Rovers
Two first half goals proved enough for Letterkenny Rovers who opened their Brian Mc Cormick Cup campaign with a narrow victory over Swilly Rovers in humid conditions at Leckview Park. The home side were quickly out of the blocks and carved open the Swilly defence after just three minutes. Debutant Mokhtar Bouasria threaded a precise through ball for Patrick Gahir who fired an unstoppable shot into the net beyond goalkeeper Barry Gallagher. Rovers doubled their lead just after the quarter-hour mark when Gallagher clattered into Jordan Nugent inside the box and referee Sean Ferry pointed to the penalty spot. Nugent made no mistake from 18 yards to make it 2-0. Shortly afterwards, James Mc Cahill diverted the ball wide from closed range while Tyler Durning saw his free-kick expertly tipped over the bar by Blake Forkan as the visitors tried to find a way back into the game. In the second half, Leon Doherty smashed a volley off the underside of the crossbar for Letterkenny before Swilly were handed a lifeline with twenty minutes remaining. Kyle Black was upended inside the penalty area by Sergey Alcorn and Black scored from the resultant spot-kick to reduce the arrears. Darragh Morrison spurned a late chance to re-establish Letterkenny’s two goal cushion but they were still able to see out the win. Referee: Sean Ferry.
Donegal Area
Group A
Donegal Town 3 v 2 Letterbarrow Celtic
Donegal Town welcomed neighbours Letterbarrow Celtic to the Hospital Field and it was Letterbarrow who were quickest out of the blocks with Christy Mc Laughlin scoring a brace. At half time it remained 2-0 to Letterbarrow. Donegal stared the second half in whirlwind fashion and had the Barrow defence under serious pressure. Glenn Harron got the all-important goal after great work by Joe Mac and Ruairi Mc Laughlin. Ruairi, not to be outdone, got Town’s second with 10 minutes left on the clock. Letterbarrow visibly tired and Joe Stitt scored a screamer past Shallow in the Letterbarrow goals. Two good team efforts with Ruairi Mc Laughlin prominent for Town in the second half. Referee: George Clinton.
Dunkineely Celtic 0 v 10 Cappry Rovers
This fixture was played in excellent conditions at Darney Park, the game started brightly and at a high tempo but it was the visitors who took the lead after four minutes, in truth the contest was over after eleven minutes, Cappry having scored two more goals. Dunkineely rallied before the water break but were not able to compete with the Premier League team who added three more goals before half-time to go in six ahead. Cappry added four more goals in the second half including an excellent strike from distance from Dylan Ramsey who came on as a 2nd half substitute.
Group B
Curragh Athletic 4 v 2 Drumkeen United
On a really hot day in Killygordon, Curragh Athletic started slowly and were behind on
8 minutes. Curragh went two down on 16 minutes, Lee Guthrie with a great finish after a Jaron Moore through ball. Curragh got one back on 19 minutes, Oisin Mc Cool with a well taken goal from a Conor Galvin free kick. On 26 minutes a lightning underlapping run from John Anthony Chambers down the right wing ended up with JP Malley tucking away the resulting cross. Curragh were now taking control and on
31 minutes JP Malley bravely put his head onto an Oisin Mc Cool corner for his second. On 45 minutes Callum Gordon played JP Malley through on goal. The Drumkeen keeper brought him down In the box and was given a straight red for the challenge. JP Malley completed his hat-trick from the spot. The second half played out with Curragh retaining possession and Drumkeen defending stoutly. Best for Curragh: Cathair Browne.
St. Catherines 4 v 1 Ballybofey United
Both teams started off with neat possession football on a beautiful Emerald Park surface and the deadlock was broken on 8 minutes by Kyle Mc Geoghan as he bravely met a 50/50 ball on the 6-yard box sending it flying past the helpless visiting keeper. Ballybofey tried hard for an equaliser and were unlucky when Damien Glackin’s strike came back off the post on 24 minutes. The Saints found themselves two up on 27 minutes when a floated free kick from the left was met with a glancing header from Paul Murrin, this was the way the score line remained until the half time interval. A third came soon after the break and was dispatched with authority into the roof of the net by Daniel O’ Keeney after a sweeping break from defence consisting of six quick incisive passes that split Ballybofey wide open. Michael Lafferty was having a steady game in the middle of the field for the visitors and it was his corner that picked out the head of Darren Bonner and the score now read 3 – 1 as he found himself unmarked in the Saints’ box. The entertaining encounter was put to bed on 70 minutes as Paul Murrin found himself clear when the ball bounced in his favour after a failed Ballybofey clearance and he calmly slotted low past Ciaran Bonner. St. Catherines’ young full backs had excellent games while the score of 4 -1 was slightly harsh on the visitors and they will have better days to come. Referee: Colm Mc Conigley
Gweedore Area
Group A
Glenea United 3 v 0 Gweedore United
(No Report Available)
Group B
Keadue Rovers 3 v 2 Kilmacrennan Celtic
Keadue emerged victorious from this tight encounter at Central Park on Sunday. Played in glorious conditions, it was Kilmacrennan who were the quicker out of the blocks and shot wide in the first minute. The home side got to grips with things a few minutes later and on six minutes David Ward had a header saved while the rebound was put over by Chris Greene. David Ward then had a good effort go just wide after fifteen minutes and just when Keadue were beginning to take control they went behind after a ball over the top caused a little confusion in the home defence and Paul Bradley pounced to strike low to the net to give Kilmacrennan the lead. The visitors were confident at this stage and should have been further ahead after the half hour when Paul Bradley shot wide after a good move. Kilmacrennan had most possession and chances but just weren’t’ taking them. Keadue did lift their game in the last five minutes of the half and got the break of a leveller when Aidan Brennan’s pass found Brian Proctor and he struck a good leveller to make the teams all square at half time. At the start of the second half Chris Greene had the first chance for Keadue. On fifty-three minutes, Chris Flanagan should’ve scored but struck wide while a minute later Brian Proctor had a shot well saved. The game was opening up nicely now and just short of the hour good work by Peter Mc Gee on the edge of the box lead to a pass to Chris Greene who neatly tucked away his effort in the top corner. Both sides then made some substitutions which interrupted the flow of play somewhat. For the closing period of the game Kilmacrennan had the majority of possession and on seventy minutes Keadue keeper Ben Boyle made a good save. The possession continued to favour the visitors but they were met with good resistance by the Keadue defence that stood firm. Keadue went 3-1 up on eighty-one minutes when Kilmacrennan’s centre back erred on a back pass and the ball went past the keeper. Kilmacrennan did pull one back however on eighty-eight minutes with a well-timed run and finish by Chris Flanagan. However, the hosts saw out the final few minutes for a satisfying first day of the season win. Best for Kilmacrennan were Ryan Shields and Chris Flanagan while best for Keadue were Chris Greene, Maurice Mc Gee and Mark Forker. Referee: Dessie Mc Laughlin.
Lifford Area
Group A
Raphoe Town 1 v 2 Lagan Harps
(No Report Submitted)
Group B
Kildrum Tigers 4 v 0 Lifford Celtic
Another season kicked off at Station Road, the hosts welcomed Lifford Celtic on their return to the Donegal League. A goal in either half from Daniel Clarke and goals from Jacob Mc Daid and Daniel Coyle saw ‘The Tigers’ run out comfortable winners in the end.
Results Week1
Wednesday 24th August 2022
Brian Mc Cormick Cup
Gweedore Area
Group A
Gweedore Celtic 1 v 1 Gweedore United
Thursday 25th August 2022
Brian Mc Cormick Cup
Gweedore Area
Group B
Cranford United 1 v 5 Kilmacrennan Celtic
Lifford Area
Group A
Convoy Arsenal 1 v 2 Drumoghill F.C.
Saturday 27th August 2022
Voodoo Venue Cup
Area 1
Cranford United 0 v 3 Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
Ramelton Mariners 2 v 0 Glencar Celtic
Swilly Rovers Reserves 3 v 3 Milford United Reserves
Area 2
Drumbar United 2 v 2 Copany Rovers
Fintown Harps AFC 5 v 2 Donegal Town Reserves
Area 3
Arranmore United 2 v 2 Keadue Rovers Reserves
Dunlewey Celtic 4 v 1 Glenea United Reserves
Area 4
Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 0 v 0 Ballybofey United Reserves
Kildrum Tigers Reserves 1 v 0 Cappry Rovers Reserves
Oldtown Celtic 7 v 0 Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Sunday 28th August 2022
Brian Mc Cormick Cup
Letterkenny Area
Group A
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 1 v 3 Whitestrand United
Rathmullan Celtic 1 v 1 Fanad United
Group B
Bonagee United 1 v 0 Milford United
Letterkenny Rovers 2 v 1 Swilly Rovers
Donegal Area
Group A
Donegal Town 3 v 2 Letterbarrow Celtic
Dunkineely Celtic 0 v 10 Cappry Rovers
Group B
Curragh Athletic 4 v 2 Drumkeen United
St. Catherines 4 v 1 Ballybofey United
Gweedore Area
Group A
Glenea United 3 v 0 Gweedore United
Group B
Keadue Rovers 3 v 2 Kilmacrennan Celtic
Lifford Area
Group A
Raphoe Town 1 v 2 Lagan Harps
Group B
Kildrum Tigers 4 v 0 Lifford Celtic
Fixtures Week2
Wednesday 31st August 2022 K.O. 6.30p.m. (Unless Stated)
Brian Mc Cormick Cup
Gweedore Area
Group A
Gweedore Celtic v Glenea United
Group B
Kilmacrennan Celtic v Cranford United
Lifford Area
Group A
Lagan Harps v Drumoghill F.C. (K.O. 6.45p.m.)
Voodoo Venue Cup
Area 4
Kildrum Tigers Reserves v Oldtown Celtic (K.O. 6.45p.m.)
Thursday 1st September 2022 K.O. 6.30p.m.
Voodoo Venue Cup
Area 2
Donegal Town Reserves v Drumbar United
Saturday 3rd September 2022 K.O. 1p.m. (Unless Stated)
Voodoo Venue Cup
Area 1
Glencar Celtic v Swilly Rovers Reserves
Milford United Reserves v Kilmacrennan Celtic Reserves
Ramelton Mariners v Cranford United Reserves
Area 2
Copany Rovers v St. Catherines Reserves
Area 3
Glenea United Reserves v Arranmore United
Keadue Rovers Reserves v Strand Rovers
Area 4
Ballybofey United Reserves v Castlefin Celtic Reserves
Cappry Rovers Reserves v Drumoghill F.C. Reserves
Sunday 4th September 2022 K.O. 1p.m. (Unless Stated)
Letterkenny Area
Group A
Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. v Rathmullan Celtic
Whitestrand United v Fanad United
Group B
Bonagee United v Letterkenny Rovers
Milford United v Swilly Rovers
Donegal Area
Group A
Donegal Town v Dunkineely Celtic
Letterbarrow Celtic v Cappry Rovers
Group B
Curragh Athletic v St. Catherines
Drumkeen United v Ballybofey United
Gweedore Area
Group A
Gweedore United v Gweedore Celtic
Group B
Cranford United v Keadue Rovers
Lifford Area
Group A
Raphoe Town v Convoy Arsenal
Group B
Kildrum Tigers v Castlefin Celtic